IT was a one-two for Conor Swail last Friday as he led the victory lap in the $40,000 FEI 1.50m Welcome Jumper Speed Classic at the four-star World Cup show in Las Vegas, USA.

Riding the nine-year-old Theo 160, Swail lodged the winning round in 64.80, fastest of 14 clears. Not content with the win, he also took the runner-up place with Vital Chance de la Roque when he clocked 65.36. Slotting into third was Swail’s protégée Vanessa Mannix and Catinka when clear in 66.15.

Swail was third in the $50,000 Las Vegas National FEI 1.45m. Again riding Theo 160, he delivered a clear in 40.51 to take home $7,500 for his efforts.

On Thursday he took the win in the $20,000 1.30m Open Jumper Grand Prix when he delivered the fastest of the clears aboard the Fiona Dowley-owned Errol in a time of 33.42.

Despite only managing to finish 11th in the FEI World Cup qualifier, Swail regained his lead of the North American League standings with 43 points, having won the first two legs in Vancouver and Sacramento. Victory in Vegas went to 23-year-old Hunter Holloway riding Pepita Con Spita on just her third World Cup start.

Holloway led an all-American, all-female podium in Vegas, finishing ahead of 21-year-old Natalie Dean (USA), who earned a third World Cup placing in as many starts aboard her own Chance Ste Hermelle. Laura Hite (USA) finished third after jumping the first clear round of her World Cup career aboard her longtime partner, Calypso van de Zuuthoeve.