CONOR Swail won two three-star classes at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, Canada, last week with the nine-year-old gelding Theo 160.
After more than a year away from the show, the venue’s winning most rider wasted no time getting back in Canadian form, finishing both first and second in Thursday’s three-star $37,000 George & Dianne Tidball Legacy 1.45m.
“I’ve missed Canada,” said Swail, who before the global pandemic spent the majority of his spring, summer and fall circuits in the country.
The gelding, who he owns in partnership with the Philippaerts family, was the best of six clear rounds in a time of 63.31 seconds. Swail finished second with the 10-year-old gelding Gamble in 63.36 to earn €13,000 in total.
“The two of them jumped very well. We’re off to a great start,” Swail said. “[Theo 160] is one of those horses where his stride is not huge. Actually doing the numbers is quicker than the other horses.
“For me, it was his first time being here, and I didn’t want to push him too hard. I knew if I just did the numbers, we’d be quick enough [for a good placing]. A win is a nice bonus.”
Swail then won Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class with Theo 160, and finished third with Gamble.
In a nine-horse jump-off, he was the fastest of five clear rounds in 29.28 seconds, winning ahead of Canadian runner-up Darrin Dlin with the Sean Ruane-bred Irish Sport Horse Buddy Bounce (Womanizer x Chillout).
Swail slotted into third with Gamble in 41.47 seconds.
He placed ninth and 10th in Sunday’s €100,000 Grand Prix which was won by his student and regular Ireland-based Canadian rider Vanessa Mannix. She galloped to victory with Catinka 25.
In third place was Ireland’s Robert Blanchette and Chardonnay. They were among the five double-clear rounds in 40.93 seconds to earn just over €10,000.