While the World Cup season in Europe will only begin next weekend in Oslo, it is already well underway in North America. After the start in Toronto, where Beat Mändli won and Christian Kukuk came third, this Saturday the Mexican city of Puebla was scheduled as the second stop – both in contrast to Europe, where the World Cup takes place exclusively in the indoor arena.
Conor Swail, based in the USA, entered the competition with Casturano as the favorite, but the victory was secured by the New Zealander Sharn Wordley in Puebla, his first victory ever in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup. Riding his long-time partner Brin d’or de Haute Melen Z, he performed the only flawless ride of the competition and thus won the test, meaning no penalties were required. Conor Swail (IRL) and Juan Bautista Pidutti Hortas (ARG) finished second and third with 4 penalty points each. Swail and Casturano crossed the finish line in 80.77 seconds, while Pidutti Hortas with Ninvaro PS came in at 80.94 seconds.
„I thought my horse had a good chance of winning, but I assumed there would be a duel with at least four horses. It’s not often that you win a competition without having to be fast in the duel, so I’m happy to take it,“ said Wordley. „The horse jumped great, and it was a fantastic competition. It really couldn’t have gone better.“ A white pole was the one that brought Conor Swail to his downfall, who came in almost two seconds faster to the finish.
Sharn Wordley now leads the North American League standings together with Beat Mändli; they both have 20 points each. Conor Swail (IRL) and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) are tied in third place with 17 points each. The next stage of the NAL will take place on October 24 in Washington (USA).
The complete result here
The current status of the North America League here