Cian O’Connor claims Grand Prix on final day of Dublin Horse Show

The Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland – along with €66,000 and a suite of luxurious watches from the Swiss sponsor – were claimed by Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor after he set an unbeatable pace in yesteray’s Dublin Horse Show Grand Prix.

From the minute O’Connor turned Blue Lloyd in mid-air over the first fence, it was clear that his clever, accurate and brave horse knew the score, quickening and tightening between fences.

“It’s a class every Irish rider wants to win. Blue Lloyd is in fresh form and I was quietly confident he could do it today. I was third last year and I knew we had a high chance.”

O’Connor and his wife, Ruth, who are expecting their first child in September, celebrated the win with the owner of Blue Lloyd, Nicole Walker from the US. “I would like to thank Nicole for loaning me the mare to jump in Nations Cups, and it was great to win the Grand Prix as well. We are heading to Millstreet this week and next year I hope to compete in the world championships with my new horse Cooper,” O’Connor said.

Kirchhoff comes second
Former Olympic champion Ulrich Kirchhoff, now riding for Ukraine, and partnering former Dublin Grand Prix winner Carlina, collected €40,000 for second place in 60.59, much slower than O'Connor's 56.50.

“This is a super show, the ground is fantastic and so are the people. Carlina is owned by Alexander Onyshenko and formerly won the Grand Prix in Dublin with Pius Schwizer. She was with Trevor Coyle for a time before she came to me,” he said.

Aga Khan-winning GB team member Ben Maher, on grey mare Cella, gave an exhibition of jumping.  Maher was determined to catch O’Connor and looked threatening for a time, but Cella kicked out the Longines vertical to incur four faults, despite a superb time of 55.61.  From a start list of 40 entries, only O’Connor and Kirchhoff managed double clear rounds.

The brilliant US rider Beezie Madden, on Cortes C, looked a potential winner as her US fan base cheered her on.

Cortes was on form but kicked one out for fourth place ahead of Ukrainian rider Cassio Rivetti with Vivant and Ardee rider Mark McAuley on Par Trois. McAuley produced the first clear round of the competition and kept his cool in the jump off with just one mistake in a steady time of 62.84 for sixth.