IRELAND’s Conor Swail and Daniel Coyle won everything in sight at the two-star Caledon National in Canada last weekend. Riding for leading Canadian owners Susan and Ariel Grange, the Irish riders again completely dominated week two of the outdoor show.
After winning both international ranking classes at the Classic Palgrave Phase 1 CSI** last week, Co Down’s Conor Swail was quick to repeat the feat in week two of the show.
Swail first captured the $35,000 FEI Open Welcome, presented by RAM Equestrian, last Thursday and followed that up with his fourth win of the young season in the CASE IH $50,000 FEI Jumper Classic on Saturday. He added his third win of the week and fifth of the season in Sunday’s $20,000 Modified Grand Prix, presented by Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals, riding Ariana, a 15-year-old Dutch warmblood mare, again owned by Susan Grange.
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle, also added to his resume with a win in the Canadian debut of the Under 25 Young Rider Development Series. Coyle was also champion in the Modified Grand Prix the previous week.
Between the pair, they’ve made it a clean sweep for Grange and Lothlorien Farm over the first two weeks, winning all seven showcase classes to date.
In a thrilling finish in Saturday’s $50,000 Grand Prix, Swail steered Susan and Arial Grange’s mount Cita to a slim victory in the jump-off, outpacing Ian Millar and Teddy du Bosquetieu by a just a 14th of second to take top prize.
Brazilian course designer Marina Azevedo gave the field a run for their money, with just one rider going clear through the first 12 trips in the class, which featuring 19 competitors.
Swail was double-handed in the class. His first ride was on week-one Grand Prix-winning mount Grafton, a 10-year-old Selle Francais stallion, also owned by Grange.
“My mare jumped very well again today,” said Swail. “I just knew I left the door open a bit there and with Ian (Millar) going last I thought he had me, to be honest. But thankfully he was on the wrong side of me… I think he knew the door was open, too, and gave me a good run. But thankfully today was my day.”
Swail also rode Cita, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, to victory in Thursday’s $35,000 FEI Open Welcome. “It was the other two (Grafton and Dillinger) who won last week, but think she (Cita) had a second and third last week. So she has gone second-third-first-first,” he said. “She’s been the most consistent even though the other two have been grabbing the headlines.”
On hand for the ribbon presentations representing new sponsors CASE IH, were Robert and Michelle Meier and Hugh and Annette Snodden. Coyle was ninth with Ridley in the competition.
CLAIMING TOP PRIZE
Coyle followed up his win last week in the $15,000 Modified Grand Prix, presented by Albion Golf Cars, by claiming top prize with Fortis Fortuna in the Canadian debut of the Under 25 Young Rider Development Series, a $20,000 class presented by Martha Younger and BDF Equestrian. He was also fourth with Tienna.
Coyle outduelled a field of 24 riders on Lothlorien mount Fortis Fortuna, an 11-year-old Belgian warmblood mare.
“It’s a great class for everybody,” said 21-year-old Coyle. “I suppose it went my way. I have a couple of horses I’m trying to develop to the next level, so it’s a great class for me.”
The Under 25 Young Rider Development Series is the brainchild of Equine Canada, led by Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill, who will be overseeing the series and was on hand to present Coyle with the red ribbon.
Swail and Ariana closed out the Caledon National CSI** by edging out Caledon’s Erynn Ballard and Angelstone Partners’ Sombrero Brimbelles for the red ribbon in a three-way jump-off. Swail also qualified for the second round on EAX Run Run LS, an eight-year-old Banc de Salle stallion owned by Swail himself.