Thermal, Calif. – Ireland’s Conor Swail and Theo 160 were only the second pair to jump the $32,000 BRAINJAVA CSI3* Welcome Speed, but they set a time that would stand untouched. Through the remainder of the class on the Grass Field at Desert International Horse Park, no one came within even three seconds of Swail and Theo 160’s winning time of 65.87 seconds.
Swail’s victory in the class, held on Wednesday, February 18, helped kick off CSI3* competition at Desert Circuit 7, presented by Spotlight 29 Casino. Finishing in second place in the day’s featured event was the very last rider to jump, the USA’s Kaitlin Campbell. She piloted Cosm Questa VD Heffinck, owned by Mirasol Equestrian, to a time of 69.52 seconds. Third place with a time of 71.50 seconds went to Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Anton, owned by 5 Roosters.
Conor Swail and Theo 160. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“All the numbers came up lovely for [Theo 160], and he is a quick, competitive horse,” said Swail of what gave “Theo” the winning edge. “I must say, he jumped beautifully today. This is his first time out on the grass this year. He has been here before on the grass, and he is very good on it. I was very pleased with the size of his step and how easily he went around. It was very smooth.”
Swail continued, “We had a bit of rain overnight there, but honestly [the Grass Field] felt super good. They were really jumping very confidently off it, so it was great. It was a great result for him.”
Conor Swail and Theo 160 were joined in their winning presentation by Bradley Bowns. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Swail has been riding the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Mannon Farm, in FEI competition for nearly five years, and in that span, the pair has notched dozens of victories – including many at Desert International Horse Park.
“He likes it here in the desert; he has a good record here,” said Swail. “He has won a few grand prix here, and I hope we continue just to keep up the good results and the good confidence.”
Conor Swail and Theo 160 led the victory gallop, accompanied by Swail’s dog, Ralph. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Swail will next point Theo at Saturday afternoon’s $117,000 Spotlight 29 Casino CSI3* Grand Prix, which will also be held on the Grass Field. For complete results from the $32,000 BRAINJAVA CSI3* Welcome Speed, click here, and to view a full schedule of all that Desert Circuit 7 has to offer, visit deserthorsepark.com/events.