Swail Steals Third International Win of Week in 4* Challenger

Canada’s Nicole Walker and Excellent B set an early standard in Thursday’s feature four-star competition. But the rider dominating Thunderbird Show Park’s international ring this week had other plans.

First of six pairs to return for Gregory Bodo’s short course in the CSI4* Challenge 1.45m, Walker and her veteran partner put down a speedy double clear, stopping the clock at 38.07 seconds. It held until the very last combination, Conor Swail and Nadal Hero & DB, shaved over half a second off, clocking in at 37.47 seconds, to pick up his third win of the CSI4*/2* Canadian Premier week. Hilary Scott (AUS) and Clarima rounded out the podium in third with a time of 39.4 seconds.

“I was last to go. I saw Nikki and she had a lovely round—I thought she was quite quick,” said Swail. “I tried to be as efficient as I can and keep him comfortable. This is [Nadal Hero & DB’s] first FEI win in a couple of years. I am so happy with him.”

Swail and the 13-year-old BWP gelding are no strangers to the victory gallop at tbird. They were part of Ireland’s Nations Cup-winning team in 2023 and picked up a pair of wins in 2022, but have been absent from the international ring since 2024. The striking chestnut has been competing instead with Swail’s wife, Samantha van der Woude-Swail. The Irishman only recently took the ride back after the couple welcomed a daughter.

“My wife was jumping him in the 1.20m and 1.30m for over a year,” he continued. “The only reason I’m riding him is because she’s just after having a baby.”

When asked whether his wife might want the ride back, Swail smiled: “She already knows the answer, I think.”

With three international wins on as many horses in just two days this week, Swail continues to be the rider to beat at tbird.

CSI4* competition continues Friday with the $62,500 Qualifier 1.50m, building to the $117,000 Grand Prix on Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are available exclusively at tbird.ca/tickets.

$20,000 CSI4* Challenge 1.45m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

  1. Nadal Hero & DB / Conor Swail / IRL / Mannon Farm / 0/0 37.47
  2. Excellent B / Nicole Walker / CAN / Nicole Walker / 0/0 38.07
  3. Clarima / Hilary Scott / AUS / Hilary Scott / 0/0 39.4
  4. Esi Jet Set / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/4 39.18
  5. Casirado 3 / Charlie Jones / GBR / Risen Eq Holdings LLC / 0/4 39.4
  6. Independence TN / Katherine Huffstutler / USA / Katherine Huffstutler / 0/4 41.08
  7. C’Est Momo / Alexandra Biederman / USA / Samantha Buirs-Darvill / 2 80.95
  8. Pretty Women / Katie Laurie / AUS / Highland Farms Ltd / 4 73.55
  9. Herme des Carmilles / Braden James / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd / 4 74.75
  10. Nicky van de Start Z / Alexandra Biederman / USA / Alexandra Biederman / 4 76.83

Full results here.

Photo credit: tbird / Kim Gaudry

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