Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA – October 30, 2022 – The top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League has become a familiar place for Conor Swail (IRL). After winning the NAL’s opening leg in Sacramento (USA) with Vital Chance de La Roque, Swail led the victory lap again in the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI 5*-W (USA), this time with his mount from the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Leipzig (GER), Count Me In.
Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set a technical track at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro (USA), which was hosting World Cup competition for the first time. But the quality of the field was strong, and nine combinations advanced to the shortened course. The lead would change hands quickly until Swail entered the ring. While Bluman and Moggre would come close, neither could catch the undisputed king of the NAL.
Conor Swail (IRL) and the 15-year-old bay Hannoverian gelding (Count Grannus x Sherlock Holmes) registered a winning time of 35.76 seconds.
The winners were less than three-tenths of a second ahead of Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W (Luidam x Unaniem), matching the clean scorecard of the eventual winners 36.00 seconds.
Brian Moggre (USA) checked in third aboard MTM Vivre Le Reve (Ustinov x Chello II), registering a penalty-free jump-off performance in 36.74 seconds.
Winner’s Circle – Conor Swail (IRL)
“[Count Me In] has really changed my career. He’s brought me to a lot of places I’d never been and has been very successful doing it. This year, I know he’s capable, and [returning to World Cup Finals] is something that I’m looking forward to doing with him. It is a plan at this point, which probably makes it better.”
Between Count Me In and Vital Chance de la Roque, Swail has recorded five NAL victories over the course of the last two seasons, and with Count Me In, Swail finished eighth in Leipzig. He will continue to pursue points toward the 2023 Finals in Omaha (USA) at upcoming legs in Toronto (CAN) and Las Vegas (USA).
“Since I got those two horses, Count Me In and Vital Chance de la Roque, we really hit it off, and we’ve gone through the roof,” Swail said.
The North American League resumes in Lexington (USA) on November 05, 2022.
Final Results – $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI 5*-W
1) Conor Swail (IRL) & Count Me In – 0 / 0 – 35.76
2) Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Gemma W – 0 / 0 – 36.00
3) Brian Moggre (USA) & MTM Vivre Le Reve – 0 / 0 – 36.74
Source: Press Release by Catie Staszak / Catie Staszak Media for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Shawn McMillen Photography
Categories: English, Jumper News Ireland, Longines FEI Jumping World Cup
