“[Theo 160] is very nervous of traffic…He’s actually much happier [going early in the order],” said Swail of the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He’s been wonderful the whole circuit. Last week, he was second and third in two classes. He was unlucky not to win something last week. So, it’s great that he went in and jumped so well today again.”

On their way to the win on the opening day of Desert Circuit 10, Swail (IRL) and Theo 160 flew over the Peter Grant-designed course in 61.50 seconds.

“Honestly, the round itself was one of those rounds that I didn’t really feel that I could do any more than what I did,” said Swail. “Theo was fantastic. All the numbers came up as well as they could. I just felt that if I had to go in and do it another 10 times or 50 times, I couldn’t have improved it. So, I was very happy with wherever I finished up.”

Along with finishing up in the top spot aboard Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm, Swail also took second place with a time of 63.44 seconds aboard Casturano.

“I’m very happy with ‘Stan’ as well,” said Swail of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Conall Murray. “He jumped a very good round. Normally, I save him for the grand prix, but this week, I’m just going to do a couple of smaller classes. This is going to be my last show before the [2026 FEI World Cup Finals in Fort Worth], so that’s his sort of plan this week. I was pleased that he jumped great too, and he sort of enjoyed himself.”

Rounding out the top three with a time of 63.67 seconds was the USA’s Skylar Wireman aboard Coolio 23.

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