CSI 4*

Conor Swail Steals Third International Win of the Week in Jump-off Challenge CSI 4* at Tbird

Langley, Canada โ€“ May 21, 2026 โ€“ Canadaโ€™s Nicole Walker (CAN) and Excellent B set an early standard in Thursdayโ€™s feature four-star competition.ย But the rider dominating Thunderbird Show Parkโ€™s international ring this week had other plans.

First of six pairs to return for Gregory Bodoโ€™s short course in the CSI 4* Challenge 1.45m, Walker and her veteran partner put down a speedy double clear, stopping the clock at 38.07 seconds.

Conor Swail (IRL) & Nadal Hero & DB

It held until the very last combination, Conor Swail (IRL) and Nadal Hero & DB, shaved over half a second off, clocking in at 37.47 seconds, to pick up his third win of the CSI4*/2* Canadian Premier week.ย Hilary Scott (AUS) and Clarima rounded out the podium in third with a time of 39.4 seconds.

โ€œI was last to go. I saw Nikki and she had a lovely roundโ€”I thought she was quite quick,โ€ said Swail. โ€œI tried to be as efficient as I can and keep him comfortable. This is [Nadal Hero & DBโ€™s] first FEI win in a couple of years. I am so happy with him.โ€

Swail and the 13-year-old BWP gelding are no strangers to the victory gallop at tbird. They were part of Irelandโ€™s Nations Cup-winning team in 2023 and picked up a pair of wins in 2022, but have been absent from the international ring since 2024. The striking chestnut has beenย competing instead with Swailโ€™s wife, Samantha van der Woude-Swail. The Irishman only recently took the ride back after the couple welcomed a daughter.

Conor Swail (IRL) & Nadal Hero & DB

โ€œMy wife was jumping him in the 1.20m and 1.30m for over a year,โ€ he continued. โ€œThe only reason Iโ€™m riding him is because sheโ€™s just after having a baby.โ€

When asked whether his wife might want the ride back, Swail smiled: โ€œShe already knows the answer, I think.โ€

With three international wins on as many horses in just two days this week, Swail continues to be the rider to beat at tbird.

CSI 4* competition continues Friday with the $62,500 Qualifier 1.50m, building to the $117,000 Grand Prix on Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are available exclusively atย tbird.ca/tickets.

Conor Swail (IRL) & Nadal Hero & DB

Final Results โ€“ $20,000 Jump-off Challenge CSI 4*

1) Conor Swail (IRL) & Nadal Hero & DB โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 37.47

2) Nicole Walker (CAN) & Excellent B โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 38.07

3) Hilary Scott (AUS) & Clarima โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 39.40

Source: Press Release from Thunderbird Show Park

Photos: ยฉ Kim Gaudry for Tbird



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