DOWN’S Conor Swail was in what can only be described as incredible form at the Desert Circuit 10 four-star fixture at Desert International Horse Park, Thermal, California over the weekend, when he and his talented equines claimed three victories, as well as a number of placings.

Swail’s most lucrative win was with the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x She Has The Lux by Lux Z), bred by Brian Duff and owned by Oliver Raymond Glancy, in last Thursday’s four-star $63,000 1.50m Welcome Prix. There were 41 on the start list for the jump-off class, with 15 combinations jumping clear within the allocated time in the first round. Two of these withdrew, so 13 proceeded to jump again, with seven managing to keep the poles intact second time round. Swail’s jump-off time of 40.03 proved unbeatable, so he took the winner’s prize of $18,900, with Kyle King (USA) on Kayenne Z in second place (40.28) for $12,600 and Tiffany Foster (CAN) on Battlecry completing the podium in third (40.45) for $9.450.

“The horse is very, very talented as a young horse,” said Swail, who has been riding Clonterm Obolensky for about a year. “I was lucky enough that the boys thought it’d be a good idea to send him over [from Ireland] to me to develop him more. He has all the ability and scope. He is really, honestly, a championship horse. This year, we actually started off just the last few weeks with him, and he had a good week last week. He jumped in two classes last week in the CSI3*, and he was clear in them both. So again, we’re going in with good form this week.”

Winning ways

On Wednesday, Swail had got off to a good start, when riding Clonterm Obolensky into sixth place (42.38) in the four-star $1,000 1.40m two-phase special from a start list of 22. American riders took the top five placings in the class, with the win going to Tali Dejong on Boeff van de Molen Z, who was double clear in 35.87.

It was a one-two for Swail in the day’s four-star $32,000 1.45m speed class, where Theo 160 took the top spot in 61.5 seconds, ahead of Casturano in second in a time of 63.44. Sixteen of the 35 starters jumped clear rounds.

Swail placed fourth in Friday’s $24,999 1.40m Open Classic on board Kazelli VDL in a class where 32 lined out for the one-round competition.

There was yet another win for Swail on Friday, when he and Casturano took the red ribbon in the four-star $32,000 1.45m Classic. Of the 30 starters, 13 jumped clear in the first round to book their place in the jump-off. One withdrawal and a retirement left 12 to battle it out in the decider, with just three managing to remain fault-free. Swail stopped the jump-off clock in a time of 42.14 to take the winner’s prize, ahead of Keri Potter (USA) on King of Kannan in second (42.23) and Ali Ramsay (CAN) on Maaike Paola in third (42.3).

Following his win, Swail said: “This is [Casturano’s] last show before the World Cup Final [in April]. The idea of this week was basically just do a couple of smaller classes and be competitive. He has done nothing but CSI5* after CSI5* grand prix. He actually has jumped clear in his last five CSI5* grand prix. So, his form has been incredible.”

Swail continued: “I thought it’d just be nice for him to be able to drop down a little bit and be competitive, because that first day in the World Cup is a speed. So, right off the bat, he has to be very quick and efficient. Thankfully, he’s had a good week. He was second the first day and then he won today. So, I’m very happy.”

The four-star $225,000 1.55m Grand Prix on Saturday saw 29 combinations take on the tricky first-round course. The class was over a lot quicker than might have been anticipated, as Kyle King (USA) on Kayenne Z were the only ones to make it through the first round with a clean sheet, meaning that no jump-off was required. They claimed the $67,500 top prize without having to jump again. It was an all-American podium, with second place going to Skylar Wireman on Barclino B and third to Karl Cook on Foxy de la Roque - each of whom had picked up four faults. Swail and Clonterm Obolensky placed sixth in the class, also being among the four-faulters.