Swail and Lennon continue to impact in Toronto

CO DOWN show jumpers Conor Swail and Dermott Lennon continued to impact at the Toronto World Cup show in Canada, placing third and fourth, respectively, in Saturday’s Ricoh Big Ben Challenge.

Swail was on board Lansdowne, the eight-year-old stallion he last week said had the potential to see him push for an individual slot at the Olympics.

In a five-horse jump-off, Swail and Lennon, on Hallmark Elite, were among three riders to four-fault, with only Dutchman Harrie Smolders and Regina Z emerging with a clear.

The Irish duo’s consistency earned them over $75,000, notably after Swail finished second in the World Cup class, again one place ahead of Lennon. The latter also placed third in Saturday’s speed class on Loughview Lou Lou, having already won a $31,000 speed class with the nine-year-old mare.

In Vienna, Austria, dressage rider Anna Merveldt was just pipped in the grand prix on Coryolano, boosting her chances of an Olympic place.

Ireland’s show jumpers were also in the money in the Austrian capital, with Shane Breen producing one of only four double clears with Cos I Can to place third in last night’s jump-off contest. The Tipp rider and Luikka were also third in Friday’s Vienna Masters, while Denis Lynch and Crocant posted a similar result in a two-phase.