Under brilliant sunshine and in front of packed grandstands, the stage was set for the highlight of the Falsterbo Horse Show. Fifty of the world's leading riders gathered on the historic grass arena for the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Agria, and the competition delivered an exceptional afternoon of sport.
Designed by renowned German course designer Frank Rothenberger, the first-round course featured 14 obstacles and 17 efforts. With only the leading 25% of athletes or all clear rounds progressing to the second round, precision was essential from the very first fence.
Mexico's Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. and Huberth B were the first combination to enter the arena and immediately set the standard with a clear round inside the time. Their performance put the pressure on the 49 riders still to come.
The course quickly proved demanding for some of the biggest names in the sport. Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei finished on four penalties, a result matched by World No. 1 Kent Farrington and Greya. Belgium's Pieter Devos and Casual DV Z completed their round on 12 penalties, while home favourite Henrik von Eckermann retired from the competition.
Fresh from Switzerland's victory in Friday's Falsterbo Nations Cup, Steve Guerdat continued his outstanding week. Riding Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte, the Olympic champion produced a faultless round to secure his place in the second round. His Swiss teammate Gaëtan Joliat also jumped clear, confirming the excellent form of the Swiss riders in Falsterbo.
The clear rounds continued to come. Spain's Alberto Márquez Galobardes and Kelly left every fence intact, while Charlotte Jacobs, runner-up in Saturday's final qualifier, continued her excellent week with Playboy JT Z.
World No. 4 Ben Maher and Point Break also delivered a fast clear, before World No. 2 Richard Vogel and Cloudio added their names to the list of riders qualified for the decisive round.
Ireland proved particularly strong. With three riders securing their place in the second round, the nation once again demonstrated the depth of its team. At the end of the opening round, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz led the standings ahead of Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino.
In total, 14 combinations returned for the second round. Everything was still to play for.
A battle against the clock
Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. and Huberth B were once again the first combination to enter the arena. A second faultless round in 44.98 seconds established the first time to beat.
The pace quickly increased. Charlotte Jacobs, the only female rider to qualify for the second round, attacked from the opening fence with Playboy JT Z. The American rider stopped the clock in a rapid 40.10 seconds, but four penalties kept her from taking the lead.
Then came Ben Maher.
The British rider and Point Break took every opportunity around Frank Rothenberger's course, turning tightly and leaving out strides to produce a clear round in 40.21 seconds and move into the provisional lead.
Denmark's Andreas Schou and Napoli vh Nederassenthof raised the level once again. Their brilliant clear round in 39.98 seconds sent them to the top of the leaderboard.
But the best was still to come.
Steve Guerdat entered the arena with a clear objective. Ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix, the Swiss rider had made his ambitions perfectly clear: “The goal is simple: to win.”
Guerdat and Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte attacked the course and crossed the finish line clear in 38.68 seconds. After Switzerland's Nations Cup victory, Guerdat was once again at the top of the leaderboard in Falsterbo.
World No. 2 Richard Vogel was next to challenge.
Riding Cloudio, Vogel set the pace from the first fence and produced a remarkably fast clear round. The clock stopped at 38.63 seconds, just five hundredths of a second faster than Guerdat.
The German rider was in the lead.
Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino followed but finished on four penalties. Only one combination remained.
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz.
Last to enter the arena and leaders after the opening round, the Irish combination knew exactly what was required. Sweetnam attacked from the first fence, combining speed, precision and control throughout the course.
The clock stopped at 37.68 seconds.
Shane Sweetnam had done it.
With two faultless rounds and the fastest time of the afternoon, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz claimed victory in the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Agria at the Falsterbo Horse Show.
Richard Vogel and Cloudio finished second, just ahead of Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte, who completed the podium after an outstanding week in Sweden.
Final results
Shane Sweetnam & James Kann Cruz – 0 / 0 – 37.68 sec
Richard Vogel & Cloudio – 0 / 0 – 38.63 sec
Steve Guerdat & Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte – 0 / 0 – 38.68 sec
Last to go. Fastest of the day. Shane Sweetnam is the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Agria.
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