DOWN’S Conor Swail claimed the honours in the three-star $32,000 1.45m Welcome speed class at Desert International Horse Park last Wednesday, as he and the 14-year-old gelding Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm, were the clear winners of the class, showing their flair for speed and stopping the clock in 65.87 seconds. The closest anyone could get to their time was Kaitlin Campbell (USA) on COSM Questa VD Heffinck, who finished over three and a half seconds slower, clocking 69.52 for second place, with Canada’s Tiffany Foster on Anton in third on 71.5. James Chawke and Daido Van’T Ruytershof Z placed eighth in the class.

“All the numbers came up lovely for [Theo 160], and he is a quick, competitive horse,” said Swail following his latest win. “I must say, he jumped beautifully today. This is his first time out on the grass this year. He has been here before on the grass, and he is very good on it. I was very pleased with the size of his step and how easily he went around. It was very smooth.

“We had a bit of rain overnight there, but honestly [the Grass Field] felt super good. They were really jumping very confidently off it, so it was great. It was a great result for him. He likes it here in the desert; he has a good record here. He has won a few grands prix here, and I hope we continue just to keep up the good results and the good confidence.”

Desert Circuit 7 saw three-star competition being held at Thermal, California last week, where Wednesday’s three-star $1,000 1.40m two-phase special saw Ireland’s Lorcan Gallagher place ninth with Copycat, when double clear in a time of 36.87. Cassio Rivetti (BRA) won the class on board AGS Casallida (32.04).

Laois man Chawke then claimed the runner-up position in Thursday’s three-star $32,000 1.45m Welcome class, again riding Daido Van’T Ruytershof Z, only being bettered by Melody Liu (USA) on Napolean van den Dael. Swail and Clonterm Obolensky took seventh place.

Saturday’s three-star $117,000 1.50m Grand Prix saw Chawke and Daido Van’T Ruytershof Z finish fourth of the 32 starters. The pair were among eight who booked a place in the jump-off with a clear first round, but they picked up an unlucky four faults second time round to finish as the fastest four-faulters. Brazil’s Rivetti and AGS Casallida claimed another win.

There was another podium placing for Chawke in Sunday’s $40,000 1.45m Open Classic Series, this time riding LV Charice into third place, when they were among 10 double clear rounds from the 33 starters in the class. Australian Lane Clarke rode Venom into first place, followed by Ian McFarlane on Kimberley HX in second.