Conor Swail and Vital Chance de la Roque Claim $139,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*

The Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) course tested 25 entries over the first round of competition, with 9 pairs representing eight countries returning for the jump-off course. Swail and the 2009 Selle Français gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel) owned by Mannon Farm, ranked internationally as the #4 Jumping combination, collected their second consecutive FEI win this week after also dominating the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* on Thursday.

“That went very well. I mean, I’m so lucky to have this horse,” Swail said of “Vinny,” who he said “comes out every week like that. Today, he came out and he jumped so well. I got a little bit of luck at the plank, but you know, you need a bit of luck sometimes! In the jump off, Lauren was so fast, and I was able to see that I had to leave nothing out there, and everything came up very well.”

For Swail, the biggest difference from last summer to his wins this week is that he and Vinny know each other much better now, and his mount is truly finding his stride at the international levels. “He answers all the questions I ask him every time, so I’m so thrilled with him. He’s just amazing. I must say, last year here, we were just finding our feet a little bit, and just getting to know each other,” he detailed.

“He was still getting a lot of good results last year, but this year it’s very different. It’s much more consistent, and we know each other very well. Tonight I thought he was very comfortable and he jumped very within himself,” Swail reported. “He’s getting more relaxed, which is so good. I’m just thrilled for him and for the rest of the year.”

“He was still getting a lot of good results last year, but this year it’s very different. It’s much more consistent, and we know each other very well. Tonight I thought he was very comfortable and he jumped very within himself,” Swail reported. “He’s getting more relaxed, which is so good. I’m just thrilled for him and for the rest of the year.”

RESULTS: $139,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*

1. Vital Chance de la Roque, 2009 Selle Français gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel)

Conor Swail (IRL), Mannon Farm: 0/0/34.05

2. Verdini D’Houtveld Z, 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Verdi Tn x Caretino 2)

Lauren Balcomb (AUS), Lauren Balcomb: 0/0/34.44

3. San Chano, 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Sandro Boy x Chacco-Blue)

Jacqueline Ruyle (USA), Jacqueline Ruyle: 0/0/34.46

4. Valentine Car, 2009 gelding (Son of Juan Car x Galiani CH)

Sharn Wordley (NZL), Fernando Cardenas Jr.: 0/0/34.55

5. Cetano Van Aspergem Z, 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Clinton x Ahorn Z)

Santiago Lambre (BRA), Santiago Lambre: 0/0/34.76

6. Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs, 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Numero Uno x Argentinus)

Peter Petschenig (AUT), Brooke Peterson: 0/0/36.35

7. Captain Z, 2012 Zangersheide gelding (Calvino Z x Voltaire)

Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/0/ 36.55

8. Meadowvale Cruise, 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Creevagh Ferro x Cruising)

Hector Florentino Roca (DOM) Wyndmont: 0/0/38.05

9. Yoghi FLP, 2010 Hanoverian gelding (FRH Quaid x Stakkato)

Grant Seger (USA), Fox Lair Performance, LLC: 0/8/39.19

10. Fiper, 2011 Belgian Sport Horse male (Viper van Huiz Ruisdael x Concorde)

Colin Syquia (PHI), Eurasia Inc. and Sandra O’Donnell: 1/78.21

11. Amex Z, 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris)

Todd Minikus (USA), Bit By Bit Group: 4/70.28

12. ABC Quantum Cruise, 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Obos Quality x Cruising)

Hector Florentino (DOM), Ronnie Beard and Wyndmont: 4/73.28

For full results from the $139,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.