Composure and Consistency Carry Olivia Sweetnam to WIHS Equitation Final Victory
Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, rose to the top of one of the nation’s most challenging equitation events, the WIHS Equitation Final, mastering the hunter and jumper phases before a final top 10 horse swap to secure the coveted title. JJ Torano of Wellington, FL, finished second, while Faith Schuttemeyer claimed third in a class that demanded not only technical skill but also adaptability and composure.
Riding her longtime partner Class Act — a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vigaro affectionately known as “Jagger” and owned by Ashland Farms — Sweetnam reflected on the preparation that led to her success. With Class Act, Sweetnam scored 89.625 in the hunter phase and 87.625 in the jumper phase. Her score of 88.25 in the work-off gave her a total of 265.50 for victory.
Sweetnam described her early rounds as steady and confident.
“The hunter phase was really nice, very according to plan, and he jumped great,” she explained. “In the jumper phase there were some places I could have improved myself, but overall, I was very happy with him throughout both rounds.”
For the final work-off, Sweetnam swapped onto Watermelon, owned by Baylee Rowan. Despite limited time to adjust, she rode smoothly under pressure.
“I jumped a few fences in the schooling area and got a nice feel,” she said. “I was quite happy with my work-off — there could be small improvements, but I’m really happy considering I didn’t know the horse.”
Second-place finisher JJ Torano piloted Favorite Edition Z, a horse he’s partnered with for more than two years. He and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Favorit Ask, owned by The Northjet Group scored 89 in the hunter phase and 87.875 in the jumper phase. With an 87 in the work-off, Torano finished second with 263.875.
“Our first hunter phase went quite well,” he said. “In the jumper phase, there were one or two things I’d have liked to do better — I think I took the five-stride across the middle a little for granted. In the work-off, I thought it was quite good until the triple combination; it was a bit of bad luck with a rail. If that had stayed up, maybe the outcome could’ve been different — but that’s horses and show jumping.”
Faith Schuttemeyer, who took third, also praised her horse’s consistency and her own experience navigating the three phases. She and Quinten vd Rollebeek, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Vagabond de la Pomme owned by First Blue LLC, scored 89.75, 83.625, and 88.5 in the three phases for a 261.875 total.
“The hunter phase went really well, and the jumper phase was good too,” she said. “He’s a bit of a slow-moving horse, so I had a few time faults and got a little close to the MARS oxer, but overall, I was really happy.”
Judge Keri Kampsen commended the riders for their professionalism and composure under pressure, particularly during the horse-swapping phase.
“Everyone really brought their A-game,” Kampsen said. “The hunter phase was beautiful, and the final round with the switch was so impressive — you’re all riders who are going to go far. The horses were incredible. It was a great day, and you all did an amazing job.”
For Sweetnam, the win marks another milestone in her young career and her second major equitation final victory.
“It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to my team, and they’re the ones that really put in all the work behind the scenes,” she related. “None of this is possible without them. I’m so lucky enough to now have won my second final. I’m happy I’m now able to show up for my horses.”
For her win, Sweetnam was presented with the Maddie Tosh & Daktari Trophy. Class Act won the Lugano Memorial Trophy, while her trainers, Alison Sweetnam and Ken and Emily Smith, won the Leading Equitation Trainer Award.
