May 24, 2026 
“I mean, honestly, I do lose stirrups more often than I should,” Conor Swail confessed after Sunday’s CSI4* Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. But it doesn’t appear to affect his win rate.
Swail closed the Canadian Premier with four international wins, sweeping three of five 4* classes on offer and the 2* Grand Prix qualifier. He did it with four different horses. And, in Sunday’s Grand Prix, he did it without a stirrup and a shoe.
Swail’s mount, the spectacular 10-year-old Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Lux Z), lost a front shoe at the fence leading into the triple combination and then, a few strides later, he lost his stirrup over the B element.
“We came around the corner and jumped the liverpool-oxer and it was quite a long distance. That’s actually where he lost his shoe. And then the balancing nine [to the triple] got a bit short at the end. Thankfully I have enough scope that my horse was really good to jump the back rail. I think I was also trying to jump that back rail, and that’s where I lost my stirrup.”
Even missing their footholds, they managed to be one of only four pairs to advance to the jump-off. Swail was nonplussed by the sudden absence.
“It doesn’t really bother me too much. It’s just about trying to get it back. And even if you can’t get it back, just continue with the plan.”
The pair made short work of Gregory Bodo’s short course, stopping the clock at 46.65 seconds to claim the win and the Irish Sport Horse gelding’s career first Grand Prix title.
“I’ve had him just over a year, and the horse was a very big prospect as a young horse,” said Swail. “You can see the ability that he has… We’ve done already maybe three or four five-star Grand Prixs, so we’re starting to get more comfortable at that level. This is a great stepping stone for him. It’s a great win.”
Canada’s Amy Millar and Jagger HX took second with a double clear in 48.86 seconds. Katie Laurie (AUS) and Django completed the podium with a four faults in 49.49.
Four star competition continues next week at Thunderbird Show Park with the Odlum Brown BC Open.
