CO Down’s Conor Swail was utterly dominant at the five-star show in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico last weekend, scoring four wins and another six top-five places. The victories included the five-star Grand Prix with the Irish Sport Horse Clonterm Obolensky.

Swail brought a top team to the venue and bagged his first Grand Prix in partnership with Clonterm Obolensky (ISH) on Saturday; the duo recording the only double clear of the competition. Just three of the 26 starters made it through to the jump-off where, first to go, Swail and the 10-year-old gelding set the standard in a time of 43.78 seconds to put the pressure on the remaining two combinations. The experienced Darragh Cross man used the grey’s long stride to his advantage and, apart from one little rub in the second part of the combination, they were flawless and quick.

Neither John Perez Bohm (COL) with Lareusa S nor Sharn Wordley (NZL) with Brin D’Or De Haute Melen Z could match the round, both forced into errors in attempting to go quicker, with Wordley securing the second spot on the podium. Swail secured $91,000 for first place.

Bred in Co Dublin by Brian Duff, Clonterm Obolensky is by Cornet Obolensky out of the Lux Z mare She Has The Lux. This horse was produced in Ireland by owner Ollie Glancy Jnr through the age classes. “Days like these are what it’s all about,” Ollie said. “We produced Clonterm Obolensky slowly, always taking our time to ensure he had the best education in Ireland before travelling to international shows. He has now gone on to show us what he is made of and what he can achieve at the best shows in the world.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to see what the rest of the year holds in store for him. It’s a pleasure to have and retain this horse for 5* shows like these, he is such a special horse.”

Swail went on to conclude the show on Sunday with two victories, first providing the one-two in the five-star special two-phase class, taking the win on Glancy’s remarkably reliable Theo 160, who prevailed from his stablemate Casturano, owned by Conall Murray. Theo was winning at international level for the 34th time and 17th in 1.50m competitions.

Swail added a final cherry on top when guiding Nadal Hero & DB to success in the two-star Grand Prix, seeing off 54 other combinations and preventing a home victory with another very quick double clear.

Owned by Mannon Farm, Nadal has been ultra-consistent this year and, in the 10-horse jump-off, posted the fastest of four clear rounds in 37.78 seconds to add another $16,250 to their prize money haul, beating home favourite Paola Amilibia Puig (MEX) and Quinley by nine-tenths of a second.

Swail’s other win came in Saturday’s two-star 1.40m aboard Chactensky PS, when they were double clear in 42.45 seconds to see off Columbia’s John Perez Bohm.