Traverse City, MI – September 20, 2025—Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz are primed for the 2025 American Gold Cup after winning the $117,000 CSI5* Qualifier on Friday.
Aboard his 2024 Olympic mount, Sweetnam topped a 10-horse jump-off set by course designer and fellow Irishman Alan Wade. Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz are riding a wave of momentum this week after American Gold Cup wins at Traverse City Horse Shows in 2022 and 2024.
“We are having a great career together and ‘Gizmo’ is fresh right now, so I wanted to give this class today some respect for $117,000 and try to win it,” said Sweetnam after clocking in a winning time at 33.71 seconds.
Of his 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding (Kannan x Cruising) owned in partnership with the Gizmo Group, Sweetnam said, “He’s very sensitive. But if you do the right things, you get a reward for it, so it’s worth it.
“He feels great and jumped fantastic today, so hopefully we’ll have some luck on Sunday,” continued Sweetnam.
Erynn Ballard—currently the top-ranked Canadian in the world—jumped to second in the Qualifier aboard Dior, owned by Ilan Ferder, in 34.62 seconds. Conor Swail (IRL) finished third aboard Clonterm Obolensky in 38.39 seconds for owner Oliver Raymond Glancy.
“I love coming here,” concluded Sweetnam about his time spent in Traverse City, which this year included watching his children jump to their successes in the competition ring. “Number one, the standard is great at the top level, but also at the junior and young rider level. Olivia is in Belgium this week competing well for the American team and Collin will hopefully be headed to Prix des States. Traverse City has played a big role in their development as riders.”
As five-star competition continues to build throughout the week, all roads lead to the iconic American Gold Cup on Sunday, kicking off at 2 PM ET. For complete results from the $117,000 CSI5* Qualifier, click here.
Earlier in the day in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, USA’s Savannah Jenkins won the $32,000 Storm Ridge Capital CSI2* Speed riding Comme Ci Comme Ca. For complete results, click here.
Five-star action continued Saturday with the $62,500 CSI5* Winning Round, won by five-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward. Riding Princess Dalou H, a 10-year-old Belgian-bred mare (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Team Philppaerts, the current world no. 7 pipped Ireland’s Daniel Coyle by just under a half second.
In the second round, Coyle crossed the timers in 38.19 seconds riding Incredible for Ariel Grange, finishing second to Ward’s 37.82-second time. Ballard pocketed another podium finish in third aboard Let’s Fly in 38.67 seconds.
For complete results from the $62,500 CSI5* Winning Round, click here.
Avery Faye Smith Tops $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
In the final hunter derby of the season, Avery Faye Smith of Molalla, OR, piloted Carpe Diem to win the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby in Highstreet Arena. Totaling a score of 172, the pair posted an 85 to advance them to the 12-horse handy round. A high score of 87 in the handy then landed them the win and earned Carpe Diem the Platinum Performance Hunter Horse of the Week designation for the final week of the Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) season.
Nicholas Pongracz of Brantford, ON, rode Bourbon Country to second on scores of 89 and 82 to total 171. Clara Burnham of Boulder, CO, took third in the irons of Ravello on scores of 85.5 and 83.
“This was my first time showing him, so I was looking to be smooth and confident because he hasn’t really done anything like this before,” said Smith, who trains with Hunter Holloway, Caroline McLeese. “It was absolutely perfect; he jumped great and I was really happy with it.”
Smith, 18, has been competing in the hunter ring as well as the 3’6” equitation throughout her season at Flintfields Horse Park. “I’ve definitely enjoyed the weather and showing in the [Turtle Creek Hotel & Casino] International Ring,” she said.
Of her handy round, Smith said, “I thought he jumped all the high options really well and showed more brilliance in the second round. Because he is young, I maybe could have gone a little more handy but I was focusing on having another smooth round. I think because he jumped so well, it made up for it.”
Capping hunter derby competition for the season, Diane Lynn Sheets of Northport, MI, won the $2,500 2’6″ Traverse City Non-Pro Hunter Derby aboard Dextrous Dutch.
About Traverse City Horse Shows
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) offers 13 weeks of top equestrian competition each summer at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The venue blends world-class sport with the natural beauty of Northern Michigan and features 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events, including three five-stars and an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*.
The season culminates in the three-week Tournament of Champions, highlighted by the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City and $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5*. New this year, the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship and $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship deliver big prize money and prestige to the equitation ranks.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
