The top of the North American division of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup has become a familiar place for Ireland's Conor Swail. After winning the opening leg of the NAL in Sacramento (USA) with Vital Chance de la Roque, Swail again led the lap of honour in Washington (USA), this time with his horse from the final of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2022 in Leipzig, Count Me In.
Portuguese course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral created a very technical course at Prince George's Equestrian Centre in Upper Marlboro (USA), which was hosting World Cup competitions for the first time. But the quality of the field was strong and nine pairs qualified for the second, shortened round. The lead kept changing until Conor Swail rode in. Daniel Bluman and Brian Moggre were close, but none could catch the uncrowned king of the NAL. Swail's winning time was 35.76 seconds, less than three-tenths of a second ahead of Bluman (36.00 seconds). Moggre checked in third at 36.74 seconds.
With Count Me In and Vital Chance de la Roque, Swail had recorded five NAL wins over the course of the last two seasons, and with Count Me In, Swail finished eighth in Leipzig. He is now aiming to score more points for the 2023 Omaha (USA) Final at the upcoming stages in Toronto (CAN) and Las Vegas (USA). "Since I've had these two horses, Count Me In and Vital Chance de la Roque, we've really hit it off and gone through the roof," Swail said. Swail has a commanding lead in the NAL standings with 40 points. Bluman and Sophia Siegel (USA) are second with 17 points each. The North American League continues on 05 November 2022 in Lexington, USA.
