November 17, 2025 
Taylor Swift says that “life is emotionally abusive.” So is show jumping.
That’s the thought running through my mind during Conor Swail’s post-round interview with CMH TV on Saturday. Swail had just won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Toronto. It’s his career eighth World Cup qualifier win—he previously picked up titles in Vancouver, Sacramento, Fort Worth, Washington and Las Vegas. And his first victory in Toronto.
But for a rider who routinely ranks near or on the top of the North American League (NAL) standings, the slight tremor in Swail’s voice sounded more quietly relieved than exuberant in that moment.
“I really wanted to win this one. I actually have been placed a lot of times. I don’t think I’ve actually managed to win it. For me there was a great opportunity there tonight to do it, and I tried to grab is with both hands,” said Swail.
“I’ve produced this horse. Casturano is my top horse at the minute and he’s an incredible athlete. As much as it’s a great win for me, he really deserves it more than me. He’s been knocking at the door. The first two World Cups [this season] he was clear and I managed to mess it up with a time fault [both times]. Thankfully today, we go it all right together.”
Swail worked for the win in Toronto, too. The Irishman lost his stirrup in the first round, jumping the final three fences without his right iron. In the jump off, the pair were last to return and, chasing the time to beat set by Skylar Wireman and Barclino B, found a reins flapping flier to the Longines oxer at fence two, before finding their rhythm.
“When he jumped [Fence 1], he was a little slow on the turn. I saw a really big distance, and he didn’t really go for it in the beginning. [The jump] was getting further and further away,” Swail said. “He was very good to pick up there, but it actually got him going…The rest of the round he was really on the bridle and taking me to the jumps.”
Swail now sits atop the NAL standings on 38 points, following their eighth and ninth place finishes in Traverse City and Washington, respectively, and win in Toronto. He said that the Final in Fort Worth is his goal this season.
“This year, I feel that Casturano is ready to do it. He’s jumped at the five-star level for two years now, so I think that he can give it a good run. He’s an incredible athlete, and he jumps an awful lot of clear rounds, which is what you need to do at the Finals.”
The North American League next stops in Los Angeles (USA) on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
