CO Down man Conor Swail has once again showed his class, as he steered the talented 12-year-old gelding Casturano to victory in the $200,000 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Toronto. The class saw a select start list of 21, from which only three jumped clear within the time allowed in round one to get through to the jump-off.

Swail and Casturano proved best of the three to claim the prestigious win and a prize pot of $66,000, with a second clear round in 41.24 seconds when last to go in front of some 6,500 fans in the sold-out arena. Skylar Wireman (USA) and Barclino B couldn’t quite match Swail’s time and had to settle for second place in 42.08. Mimi Gochman (USA) and Inclen BH was the third combination in the jump-off, but suffered elimination – although they still placed third for their efforts.

“There was an opportunity there for me to go and win, and I do try to take opportunities when I see them. I really gave it my best shot, and thankfully today it really worked out,” Swail commented after Casturano stood off a large oxer.

After the retirement of his incredibly successful mount Count Me In, Swail is delighted with Casturano and said: “I’ve produced this horse. As much as it’s a great win for me, he really deserves it more than me.

“When he jumped (fence 1), he was a little slow on the turn. I saw a really big distance, and he didn’t really go for it in the beginning. (The jump) was getting further and further away. He was very good to pick up there, but it actually got him going… The rest of the round he was really on the bridle and taking me to the jumps.”

Top spot

The current Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League standings are looking healthy for the Irish, as Swail leads the way on an impressive 38 points after three legs, followed by Derry’s Daniel Coyle in second on 27, although he was unable to add any points in Toronto.

Swail hopes to return to the World Cup Finals, which are due to be held at Fort Worth (USA) in April 2026. “I plan on doing the World Cup Finals this year; I feel it’s a good fit for Casturano,” said Swail. ”He has developed over the last couple of years at the five-star level and, this year, I feel that Casturano is ready to do it... I think that he can give it a good run.

“He’s an incredible athlete, and he jumps an awful lot of clear rounds, which is what you need to do at the finals… I think he’s ready to go to one of these championships with a very good chance of doing well.”

The next leg will be at Arcadia in California from November 19th to 23rd.

Ribbons

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ran from November 7th right through until November 16th, with international show jumping commencing on Wednesday, November 12th.

Swail was quick off the mark and claimed the runner-up spot in the $31,500 1.45m Strength and Speed Welcome class on Wednesday afternoon riding Casturano to a double clear in the two-phase class. The pair clocked a time of 27.49 in phase two, which was only bettered by Canadian winner Erynn Ballard on Let’s Fly (26.85).

Daniel Coyle and Daydream placed sixth in the class in a time of 30.44. Coyle then rode Farrel into ninth place in Friday’s $63,000 1.50m Royal Winning Round class, when they were among the top 10 who proceeded to jump for a second time, but an unfortunate four faults kept them from placing higher. The class was won by Alex Matz (USA) on Cashew CR.

Coyle and Farrel then finished in sixth place in Saturday’s $25,000 K9 Challenge 1.40m speed and handiness class, which was won by Skylar Wireman (USA) on Cielo.