Sport

Ireland’s Conor Swail wins in the Winter Equestrian Festival

Victory in Wellington with his nine-year-old Selle Francais

Conor Swail of Ireland won the featured 1.45m class with his own Simba de la Roque in Wellington. Photograph by Frank Miller
Conor Swail of Ireland won the featured 1.45m class with his own Simba de la Roque in Wellington. Photograph by Frank Miller
Margie McLoone
Thu Jan 22 2015 - 11:30

Week three of the Winter Equestrian Festival commenced on Wednesday in Wellington, Florida where Ireland's Conor Swail won the featured 1.45m class with his own Simba de la Roque.

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacois is course designer in the international arena this week and 31 combinations, from a starting line-up of 63, were clear over his speed track. County Down-born Swail easily saw off his opponents when home in 53.06 with his nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding which he purchased in November.

“Simba de la Roque is a lovely horse,” stated the owner/rider. “He is very fast, seems to have plenty of power and has a big stride. He will do the next 1.45m class and maybe the 1.50m competition this week. He is a very exciting horse to have in the yard and it’s nice to own him myself too.”

The USA’s Abigail McArdle was second on Cosma 20 (54.76), Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade placed third with Nokia de Brekka (55.13) while Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam finished fourth on the Swedish Warmblood stallion Cyklon (55.90).