CO Down’s Conor Swail picked up right where he left off in the 2022-2023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League by winning the opening leg in Sacramento, USA with Vital Chance de la Roque just as he did 12 months ago at the venue.

Last year, he finished top of the North American League before taking his place at the FEI World Cup Finals, and he has jumped to the top of the leaderboard once again after a fantastic performance before a sold-out crowd at the Murieta Equestrian Center.

Olaf Petersen built a big 1.60m track for the four-star Grand Prix with many of the 23 starters returning to indoor jumping for the first time this season. Swail was 19th to go and was the first clear round, before being joined in the jump-off by two Americans - 20-year-old Sophia Siegel and Natalie Dean.

Swail put his competitors away with a second clear effort in a sharp time of 38.19 seconds, impressing with two bold inside turns. In the end, none of the others could manage to produce a clear round. Siegel slotted into second place with A-Girl (4/50.02) and Natalie Dean placed third with Chance Ste Hermelle (8/43.65).

Incredible year

“[Vital Chance] has had an incredible year. Every time I ride him, I know he’s going to give me a good shot [to win]. The two of us just seem to have a good partnership. Today, he jumped so well,” Swail commented.

“When you go first [in a jump-off of this size], you’re either first, second or third. I’d prefer to be first, and I wanted to try to put it away early,” he added. “I was going to do what my strengths are. My plan was to be fast [and not] leave the door open.”

Swail accrued 20 points for his victory and has taken an early lead in the NAL standings. Siegel sits second with 17 points, and Dean is third with 15 points. Seven legs remain through March; the North American League continues at the Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro in two weeks’ time.