Conor Swail’s popular and well-loved canine companion, Ralph, can often be seen helping Swail lead a victory gallop at the Desert International Horse Park, and “Ralphie” got another opportunity to do just that on Saturday, December 7. Aboard My Lady Lavista, Swail secured the win in the $32,000 MSLJ CSI5* Premier Equestrian Winning Round, held as part of Desert Holiday 1.
Finishing in second place were Colombia’s Mark Bluman and Kenya RM, owned by Armando Torrado Martinez, and Eve Jobs (USA) and her own High Point VDL took home third.
Conor Swail, My Lady Lavista and Ralphie led the victory gallop for the $32,000 MLSJ CSI5* Premier Equestrian Winning Round. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Following the winning round format, the top 10 riders from the first round – regardless of faults – advanced to the clean-slate jump-off round. There, Bluman and Kenya RM laid down the early time to beat of 38.80 seconds. While it proved uncatchable for the rest of the field, that time still left the door open for the notoriously fast Swail and My Lady Lavista. The pair blazed over the final oxer of the
Olaf Petersen Jr. and Alan Wade-designed course in 37.45 seconds to clinch the victory.
Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I was sort of fortunate that I was a little bit more toward the end of the class in the draw,” said Swail. “I knew I needed to go clear. I knew all the correct numbers to do. I think that helped a lot. I have gone [in a winning round] a few times where I went early and jumped a clear round, and I didn’t get through, so [being later in the order] helped a lot. Then in the jump-off, there’s a very high-quality field this week, so the plan is to go as fast as you can go. There’s no other way of doing it if you want to be the winner.”
Swail did just that, with My Lady Lavista, owned by Cherokee Show Horses, rising to the occasion.
“She’s a wonderful mare,” said Swail of the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare. “I was very lucky to get her in May time, and it has been pretty good right from the beginning. We’re getting to know each other as each week goes by. I haven’t actually shown her an awful lot. I feel that we’re still going to grow. We’re only in the beginning stages. I’m very excited about what is going to come next with her.”
Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Swail continued, “She’s very gutsy, very determined. She really is such a little fighter. She has her own way; she sort of scampers along and runs you into the jumps a little bit. What I’m always trying to do is get her to slow down a little bit. She always wants to go a little quick. I feel that we’re starting to gradually get better and better and even when we’re improving, we’re still winning a lot of classes.”
For full results of the $32,000 MSLJ CSI5* Premier Equestrian Winning Round, click here.