CO Down’s Conor Swail continues to clock up successes in California, with another weekend of great results at Desert International Horse Park at Thermal.

Swail partnered Casturano to take the runner-up spot in the three-star $117,000 1.50m Grand Prix at the venue on Saturday, jumping double clear in a fast jump-off time of 36.93 seconds. The pair weren’t quite quick enough to catch American winner, Keri Potter on Kalimera van de Nethe Z, who finished over a second faster in 35.82, but Swail still pocketed $23,400 for second place. Third place went to Katherine Huffstutler (USA) and Eothymm De Kergane (41.49).

Podium placings

‘Desert Circuit 7’ commenced last Wednesday, February 19th, when Swail and Echonix began with a podium finish in the $10,000 1.35m Welcome Speed class. From a start list of 66, Swail’s time of 59.52 seconds was good enough for third place.

Liam Deery on Chaccalanda was runner-up in the $1,500 1.30m Open Jumper, while David O’Brien on Cara Mia 155 placed ninth.

Deery placed fifth in Thursday’s $1,500 1.30m Open Jumper, this time with Cloud Seven, while Swail and Theo 160 placed fourth in the three-star $32,000 1.50m speed class.

Co Antrim’s Christopher Megahey was in the top 10 in Friday’s $1,500 1.40m Open Jumper class, placing eighth on Casian S.

Swail secured another podium placing with My Lady Lavista when third (66.90) in the $24,999 1.40m Open Classic. Swail also placed ninth in the class with Clique (72.78) and went on to place ninth again in Saturday’s $10,00 1.35m class.

Megahey and Casian S got on the podium in Sunday’s $40,000 1.45m Open Classic Series, when among five of the 39 participants to jump clear first rounds. Only two jumped double clear, with Megahey being the best of the rest to finish third.

Swail and Count Me In placed 10th in the three-star $32,000 1.45m Classic.