Co Down’s Conor Swail makes flying start at Longines FEI World Cup Finals

Ireland’s Conor Swail and the 15-year-old gelding Count Me In have made a superb start today (Thursday) at the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany.

Conor Swail is in third place following the opening round of the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Finals 

A super clear in 67.06 seconds leaves them in third place of 35 competitors heading into tomorrow’s second competition. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and the 15-year-old stallion Cristello finished with one fence down in a time of 71.43. With three seconds added for each fence down, Lynch finished on 74.43 putting him into 21st place . Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Chaplin hold the lead after jumping clear in 65.11.

Conor Swail and Denis Lynch are bidding to make history this weekend in Leipzig. Eddie Macken, Trevor Coyle, Jessica Kurten and Bertram Allen have all finished on the World Cup Final podium in the past but as yet, no Irish rider has taken the coveted top prize in the 42-year history of the competition.

Scores from today’s opening competition will be carried forward to tomorrow’s (Friday) second round of the FEI World Cup Finals, before the new Longines FEI World Cup champion is crowned following Sunday’s final decider.