Conor Swail and Count Me In. Photo © High Desert Sport Photo.
Press release from Desert International Horse Park
Ireland’s Conor Swail can always count on Count Me In – including in Friday, March 14’s $20,000 BRAINJUICE CSI4* Speed Stake. With the win in the class, the gelding that Swail describes as his “serial winner” cruised to his third major victory of the 2025 Desert Circuit at the Desert International Horse Park.
“Honestly, he is one of the best horses I’ve had in my career, and I’ve had some very nice ones,” said Swail of the 18-year-old Hanoverian, by Count Grannus x Sherlock Holmes, that he also rode to wins in the Desert Circuit 3 $45,000 CSI2* PRO Series Equine Grand Prix and the Desert Circuit 9 $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic. “A lot of places he’s taken me are all firsts for me – World Cup Finals, winning the Aga Khan [at the Dublin Horse Show], Aachen for the first time. He’s a wonderful horse."
Conor Swail, Count Me In and Ralphie led the victory gallop. Photo © High Desert Sport Photo.
“Obviously, now he’s 18; I’m doing a few smaller classes,” continued Swail in speaking of the horse owned by Sandy Lupton and Mannon Farm. “He’s a very confidence-orientated horse. I suppose all horses are, but particularly him. He gets a bit edgy and nervous, then he doesn’t just jump as well. So, what I try and do is make him comfortable…It’s nice that I can pull him out and jump around there. I thought he was great today.”
On their way to Friday’s win, Swail and “Crosby” were the ninth to jump the Peter Grant-designed course, and they set the uncatchable time to beat at 64.28 seconds. Coming quite close to Swail’s time and taking home second place on 64.59 seconds were Savannah Jenkins and Sanella 6 (Solid Gold Z x All Pleasur), owned by Ilan Ferder. Rounding out the top three with a time of 64.85 seconds were Skylar Wireman and Barclino B (Barcley x Lasino), owned by Shayne Wireman.
For Swail, the Desert Circuit schedule has been ideal for Crosby and his current string of horses.
“There are so many different options,” concluded Swail. “You have a good FEI schedule, but you also have a great national schedule. If you have too many horses jumping the FEI, you have that option to go and do all your national classes with nearly equally as good a purse. It’s a fantastic place to come and educate your horse, and you’re in the main ring jumping for good money with wonderful facilities and obviously great weather normally. So yeah, I love it here.”
Then