Tbird opens its Summer Fort Festival with the George & Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix

It was Ireland’s Conor Swail and Flower (Bon Ami x Randel Z) that won the home opener for Thunderbird Show Park. Swail was able to take the lead in the 50-rider speed class. Featuring many top riders from up and comer Eve Jobs, to experienced Eric Navet, Swail was able to ride the course with one of the few clears, with his usual speed and accuracy. Flower was on point and jumped tight and took the trickier turns without losing power, as many others were not able to do. Flower was Swail’s second horse into the class, he rode GK Coco Chanel (Clarimo x Lerano 2) early on in the order.

The course featured a tight turn from jumps seven to eight then coming straight off the turn into a big combination. Course designer Peter Holmes was able to keep the competition tight with only a few clears throughout the class. Rich Fellers was one of those clears aboard HTH Crazy for Crown (Crown Z x Carnute) finishing in 4th. American Zazou Hoffman and W Zermie 13 (Rubert R x Voltaire) finished in second just behind Swail, while Eric Navet ended 3rd with Catypso (Catoki x Calypso II).

It was an exciting evening as Tbird welcomed many new faces as well as returning riders as they all ramp up for the Longines World Cup Qualifier on August 27th.

Click here for the results