CO Down’s Conor Swail finished on top of the podium in the five-star $32,000 1.45m speed class on board Theo 160 last Wednesday, as week four of competitions kicked off at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. There were 39 starters in the class, with 22 of them jumping clear within the time allowed over the course, designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade.

Swail was first in and flew round the course on Theo 160 to stop the clock in 59.80 seconds, which proved unbeatable. Swail narrowly won the class from American runner-up Lillie Keenan on Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN (59.87), with Canada’s Erynn Ballard in third on Mullentine Shalom (61.64). The Irish presence continued, as Swail also finished fourth with My Lady Lavista (61.98) and David O’Brien on Fairson TS finished fifth (64.61).