Shane Sweetnam leads home Irish one-two in New York

Lorcan Gallagher trails Cork rider as four combinations qualify for jump-off of 1.50m competition

Cork native Shane Sweetnam led home an Irish one-two in New York. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
Cork native Shane Sweetnam led home an Irish one-two in New York. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

Cork native Shane Sweetnam led home an Irish one-two in Saturday's four-star €86,000 Fidelity Investments Classic in North Salem, New York.

Just four combinations qualified for the jump-off of the 1.50m competition with three of these recording a second clear round. Sweetnam and The Blue Buckle Group's Indra van de Oude Heihoef posted the fastest in 39.97 while Newry-born Lorcan Gallagher, who is based with Sweetnam at Sweet Oak Farm, guided Hunters Conlyso II into second spot in 39.99.

The USA's Georgina Bloomberg took third place with Manodie II H (40.47) but although her compatriot Andrew Ramsay riding Cocq A Doodle recorded the fastest time in the jump-off of 37.42, he picked four faults to finish fourth.

In eventing, the final round of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook series for young horses takes place today at Lisgarvan, outside Ballon, Co Carlow.

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There is a disappointing entry of just four for the six-year-old CNC1* class but the five-year-old (EI100) and four-year-old (EI90) sections are well filled with Fraser Duffy competing on Fernhill Sky High and Fernhill Candy Crush who won the two classes last week at Tattersalls.