British Columbia Equine ...On-Line News: Shane Sweetnam and Take Note Claim the Championship in the Western Hay and Suncoast Shavings Second Year Green Working Hunter

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Shane Sweetnam and Take Note Claim the Championship in the Western Hay and Suncoast Shavings Second Year Green Working Hunter

January 21, 2010

Wellington, FL --- Sunny skies illuminated the E.R. Mische Hunter Arena this afternoon as the professional hunters finished their second day of showing during week two of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs for 12 weeks through April 4.

Emerging victorious today to earn the championship in the Western Hay and Suncoast Shavings Second Year Green Working Hunters were Shane Sweetnam and Take Note, owned by Lindsey Tomeu. Take Note received a second place over fences yesterday, won the under saddle, and placed third and seventh over fences today to clinch the championship. The reserve champion award went to Louise Serio and Kid Rock, owned by Paige Cole.

Louise Serio and Kid Rock

Sweetnam originally hails from Ireland, but now bases out of Wellington, FL, and Lexington, KY, where he rides for Spy Coast Farm and Sweet Oak Farm. Sweetnam describes Take Note, an 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood, as "very talented and beautiful to ride." "The jump is fantastic, he's never spooky, and he's very rideable," Sweetnam commented on his mount.

Sweetnam has not shown Take Note since the pair won the Hunter Derby during the Holiday and Horses Horse Show in 2009, but they picked up right where they left off with their win today. After Sweetnam's win in the E.R. Mische Hunter Arena, he ran directly to the International Arena where he placed 4th in the $30,000 WEF Challenge on Spy Coast Farm LLC's Zamiro 16.

While Sweetnam spends most of his time in the jumper ring, he takes pleasure in riding the hunters as well. When asked how he feels about competing in the hunter divisions in comparison to the jumpers, Sweetnam compared, "I actually have two very good hunters at the moment. I enjoy riding a good one, and I probably always will." Sweetnam particularly enjoys doing the handy hunter classes with Take Note, acknowledging, "He can turn on a dime, and whatever you want him to do, he'll do."

Sweetnam will compete for the entire duration of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, and is aiming towards qualifying for the AHJF/WCHR Hunter Spectacular for the second year in a row. The AHJF/WCHR Spectacular week takes place during week six of the 12-week circuit.

Other top finishers in today's Western Hay and Suncoast Shavings Second Year Green Working Hunter included Pony Lane Farm's Bella Blue and Maggie Jayne, who earned a high score of 86 in the first over fences class. The blue ribbon in the second over fences class went to Tammy Provost, scoring an 87 on her mount Sugar Boy, owned by Wendy Hofmeister.

For full results, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are "AA" rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment. FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, "Saturday Night Lights" headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun. Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

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