Conor Swail (IRL) is widely regarded as Thunderbird Show Park's winningest rider, and he wasted no time living up to that reputation at the Harvest Celebration CSI4*-W. On Friday in the Thunderbird Jumper Arena, Swail won a four-star event for the second day in a row.
In fact, he took the top two places in Friday afternoon's $75,000 CSI4*-W tbird Cup, a 1.50m speed contest set by Canadian course designer Peter Holmes. After topping Thursday's $75,000 CSI4*-W Welcome with the 12-year-old Vital Chance de la Roque (Diamant de Semilly x Rivage du Poncel), the less experienced Theo 160 (Christian x Calando IV) took his turn atop the podium, crossing the timers in 71.74 seconds.
Swail and "Vinny" finished second (72.82 seconds), while Swail's student Vanessa Mannix (CAN) rode to third honors (73.83) aboard her longtime mount, Catinka 25 (Catoki x Luxano).
"He's such a nice horse," Swail said of Theo. "He's brave and careful, he's nice and scopey and fast, so it's everything. I'm really enjoying riding him and developing him."
Source: Press Release