Thermal, California, USA – November 30, 2023 – Conor Swail (IRL) came out in winning form on Thursday as Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) returned to the Desert International Horse Park for two weeks of championship competition.
Swail (IRL), a winning member of team Trailblazers, topped the $76,100 CAD Pomponio Ranch CSI 5* Qualifier riding Theo 160, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Christian 25 x Calando IV) owned by Mannon Farm.
“Theo was excellent like he always is for me,” said Swail of the mount who topped a 13-horse jump-off over courses set by Alan Wade (IRL). “I was first to go [in the jump-off], which was a tough job because there were so many good horses and riders behind me.”
Among the horses and riders behind him were Darragh Kenny (IRL) with VDL Cartello, McLain Ward (USA) on First Lady, and Kent Farrington (USA) aboard Landon as the last pair to go.
“There was a lot of galloping involved, so I tried to set up on a good big gallop. It was about gallop and balance,” revealed Swail. “I thought Theo did that very well tonight and stayed clean and careful. I think I put enough pressure on that maybe made riders have mistakes here and there.”
The remainder of the field could not catch Swail’s time of 41.36 seconds, and only Alison Robitaille (USA) came close with Oakingham Lira in 41.83 seconds.
Kent Farrington (USA), currently the world no. 3 rider, was ultimately third with Landon in a time of 43.87 seconds.
Final Results – $76,100 Pomponio Ranch CSI 5*
1) Conor Swail (IRL) & Theo 160 – 0 / 0 – 41.36
2) Alison Robitaille (USA) & Oakingham Lira – 0 / 0 – 41.83
3) Kent Farrington (USA) & Landon – 0 / 0 – 43.87
Source: Press Releases from Major League Show Jumping & Desert International Horse Park
Photos: © MLSJ / Atalya Boytner / MG Photography / TB Photography / High Desert Photo
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Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Ireland
