Watch Why They Won: Sweetnam 'Cruzes' To American Gold Cup Win

Sep 19, 2022 - 2:59 PM

James Kann Cruz lived up to his name with Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam on Sunday, Sept. 18, cruising to the top of a three-horse jump-off to win the $405,300 American Gold Cup Grand Prix CSI5* at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan.

Sweetnam became the second rider from outside North America to win the Gold Cup, while the victory was the first five-star grand prix win for the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Kannan—CSF Telly Cruz, Cruising) owned by Gizmo Partners, LLC.

James Kann Cruz_Sweetnam_2022 American Gold Cup_Ryback
Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam piloted James Kann Cruz to the top of the 52nd American Gold Cup, held Sept. 18 in Williamsburg, Mich. Andrew Ryback Photography Photo

“It’s a great feeling to have,” Sweetnam said of riding the gelding. “It’s one of those horses you search your whole career to find, and when you find it you don’t believe it’s real. Every day he comes out and his form is even better. So I have to echo: what a horse.”

Watch Sweetnam analyze the jump-off round—the only double-clear effort over Alan Wade’s course—that won them the 52nd edition of the Gold Cup:

Loading...

Social Bar

Join Mailing List

Shopping Cart

Like Box

Chronicle Headlines

Most Popular

Rider Spotlight

Charity Spotlight

Horse Spotlight

Like Box

Trainer Spotlight

Like Box