Five-star Swail claims victory in Ballsbridge

Five-star Swail claims victory in Ballsbridge

21 August 2024

DARRAGH Cross showjumper Conor Swail helped maintained the supremacy of Irish athletes in five-star competition on the second day of the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

The local took up the baton in the Main Arena, and there was a strong Irish support cast too to ensure a significant feeling of goodwill and momentum ahead of the Aga Khan Trophy.

The rain was spitting down when Swail and horse Theo 160 had their tilt at the five-star Speed Derby with Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge but the pair were completely unperturbed as they saw off a high calibre of opponent to land the spoils.

Swail is no stranger to success in this arena, famously helping Ireland win the Aga Khan Cup for the first time in seven years in 2022, delivering three clear rounds, including in a jump-off, on Count Me In.

In the Speed Derby, Swail and Theo 160 jumped a clear round in 81.18 seconds, setting too high a bar for the rest. 

“I was very happy with the win,” said Swail. 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden in the Speed Derby. It’s just full throttle the whole way around. We had a bit of an early draw but Theo always pulls one out of the bag for me. 

“He is super-fast and he’s deadly careful and he doesn’t mind all those funny ones, jumping through the water or anything that’s odder than normal.” 

He added: “It’s always great to win at Dublin Horse Show and it was a fun round.”

He also secured qualification for the Rolex Grand Prix with the aforementioned 17-year-old Count Me In, who returned from a year of illness and question marks about his future with a stunning victory in the five-star Grand Prix, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in July.

“I am having a great season,” said Swail. 

“I’ve been second, third, fourth and fifth in the Dublin Grand Prix and it’s one I’d love to put on my resumé, with it being part of the Rolex Series now just making it even more attractive but really, I’d love to win it because I’m Irish.”

Swail went on to lend a hand to old friend and Paris Olympian Daniel Coyle in preparation for his jump-off in his respective competition at the venue. 

When Swail was employed by Sue Grange to ride her horses, it was he that brought Coyle to Lothlorien Farm to help educate and bring the younger horses through.

When Swail decided to spread his wings, Grange gave the job to Coyle, a relationship that has continued and flourished after Grange died of cancer and her daughter Ariel took over.

Swail is effusive in his praise of his compatriot and friend.

“He’s riding so well at the minute,” echoed Swail. 

“He’s one of the best riders in the world and we’re very good friends. I’m still good friends with Ariel too. But Daniel and I spend a lot of time together and it’s great that he has taken the opportunity and improved on it.”