Conor Swail & Flower. ph: Amanda Ubell Photography.
Another day and another win for Ireland’s Conor Swail, who picked up his latest victory aboard the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Flower (Bon Ami x Randel Z) in the $35,000 ACTC Cup at the Royal West Horse Show CSI3*-W.
Flower, who is co-owned by Swail and international Canadian rider Vanessa Mannix, has won 7 of her last 12 FEI ranking classes.
“She can be a little tough – hard in the bridle and sassy, but she is so competitive,” said Swail. “She understands what winning is and what you need to win. Conor really brings out the best in her,” said Mannix.
Held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the class saw 45 entries take to the track designed by Germany’s Werner Deeg. Eighteen returned to the jump off, with Swail posting the winning time of 37.05s.
Fellow countryman Daniel Coyle finished 2nd in the order aboard the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare Cita ( Casall x Pik Ramirowent). He finished 12th aboard second mount Fortis Fortuna.
USA’s Kyle King finished in 3rd with the ten-year-old gelding Escudo’s Triumph ( Escudo I x Wanderkoenig). King took over the ride this year on Escudo, starting at the 1.30m and quickly moving up to the 1.40m and grand prix level with the Stuart Belkin owned gelding.
The full results can be viewed here.