O'CONNOR MAKES HISTORY BY WINNING THE OLYMPIA GRAND PRIX

Cian O'Connor and Roncorrado have proved integral parts to the Irish Nations Cup team this year and topped off the year winning in Olympia. They are pictured left in the Aga Khan in August.

Kildare born Cian O'Connor rounded off a great week at Olympia last night by reversing fortunes with Sunday's World Cup winner Erik Van Der Vleuten.

Riding Aileen Bryan's Rancorrado, O'Connor was the second last rider into the arena and produced a foot perfect round to put them into the jump off.  Last to go Michael Whitaker and GIG Amai were added to that list to make six combinations for the deciding round in the final class of the prestigious show.

Some of the World's best riders made it to the Jump off including this year European Champion Kevin Staut, and the afformentioned, Whitaker and Van Der Vleuten.

With the opening three riders all producing faults in their jump off round it was left to Van Der Vleuten to take home the first clear round and he did not dissappoint to add some pressure to O'Connor and Whitaker.  They broke the beam clear in 36.02 to move into a provisional lead.

No Irish rider has won this Grand Prix since Eddie Macken took the honours in 1987 and O'Connor started off with plenty of intent.  He was very quick over the first two fences and took a stride out to the 1.60m Alltech Verticle. Next was the double and there was a slight miscommunication approaching but the pair managed to come out clear.  Although the rider lost a stirrup they continued at the same pace makeing a superb turn over the massive red oxer at the top of the arena before making a dash to the last.  They crossed the line clear in 35.49 to move into the lead.

O'Connor's fate was sown up early on in Michael Whitaker's round when they faltered coming out of the double to hand the class to the Irishman along with a cheque for €15,000.

An understandably delighted O'Connor commented: "You can imagine how I feel tonight, " he said, "first of all to be invited by the organisers, for which I am very grateful, and then to compete with, take on and beat some of the best horse and rider combinations in the world. It's a very nice Christmas present for myself, my staff, and for Rancorrado's owner, Aileen Bryan. I'm really overjoyed."

Irish Team Manager Robert Splaine led the tributes by saying: "It is a tribute to the class of this horse that he was able to reverse the result from last night under such pressure. Cian and Rancorrado have been the backbone of the Irish show jumping team all year and to win here, at one of the world's most prestigious Grands Prix, confirms their true form."

Swail lands a Touch in Kildare International

Conor Swail landed the spoils in Kildare International Equestrian Centre when taking the title of Autumn Grand Prix League Champion as he won the Soho Boutique Grand Prix in the Rathmore venue.

The final leg of the prestigious Botanica/ShowjumpingIreland Autumn Grand Prix League held in Liam Gaffney’s Kildare International provided a thrilling finish to the league with 21 starters in the main event which was kindly sponsored by Soho Boutique in the Whitewater Shopping Centre and the Equestrian Centre.

Going into Sunday’s finale Dublin based Swail trailed Tipperary rider Trevor Breen by eight points and needed the win in the hope that Breen would finish outside the top four. 

Things were made very difficult for the long time league leader when Swail came in second on Music Hill Cruise and provided the crowds with a spectacular clear round on the daughter of Cruising.  One up to Swail but Breen had three rides to come and came in next on Bonjour Vieux Pont.

Although, the pair started out well they faltered at fence five to leave them out of the Jump Off. 

It wasn’t long before the next clear round came in and it was from Meath rider John Floody riding Ashbourne.  The pair who have been prolific winners all season ensured of a jump off when producing a foot perfect round on Jim Monk’s gelding. 

Both Breen and Swail entered the arena soon after and neither could add to the jump off list.  Swail came closest with Uretto, having the middle part of the Combination, the last fence, on the ground.

As more and more riders came in and took faults over Tom Holden’s tricky course, it came down to the final two.  Swail entered on Cara Touche and added even more pressure to Breen when posting another clear round on the Touchdown Stallion.  However with only three in the jump off, Breen was assured of the League title if he produced a clear round.

Riding Adventure De Kannan, a three time winner on this league, Breen looked confident as he scaled each obstacle.  It all went downhill when he approached the final line, getting in a little close to the first part of the combination, they gave a slight to the middle part and it fell to the floor handing the title to Swail.

Although the riders title was decided, there was still €3,000 at stake in the class and also the title for the leading Horse on the League.  Karen Swann’s Adventure De Kannan held a substantial lead over Cara  Touche and so he needed the win to over take Breen’s mount.

Swail came in first on Music Hill Cruise but unfortunately left a pole on the ground and stopped the clock in 44.75.

Although Swail was in pole position, a clear from John Floody would knock him off that perch.  Floody entered with plenty of intent, and approaching the second last was still clear and looked set to post a very quick time to add the pressure to Swail.  However it all went wrong for the Meath man and a stop knocked him back.  He completed with a fence on the ground and to time faults to record 16 faults in a time of 64.27.

It was then left to Swail and Cara Touche, a clear round would hand them the Grand Prix win and give Cara Touche’s owner the leading horse prize.  From the off, there was never any doubt of what the outcome might be and they produced an immaculate clear to land all the spoils.

Following the class, Caithriona Fitzpatrick of Soho Boutique offered her congratulations to Conor Swail: ‘’We were delighted to be the sponsors.  It was a great achievement by Conor and it was a very exciting class.’’

A delighted Swail then commented: ‘’ I'm delighted, it was difficult to win between myself and Trevor.  Both of us were pushing each other hard and I was lucky enough for it work out for me on the day.  My horses were terrific throughout the whole series.’’

At the end of a very successful show, Proprietor of Kildare International Liam Gaffney said; ‘’It was a privilege to host such a prestigious event.  Conor (Swail) and Norman Allen were worthy winners of the Grand Prix which provided a thrilling finish to the league.  I have to thank all our sponsors and all those who helped out today especially the members of my family.’’

This marks the end of the Show Jumping Season now and there was no better way to finish such an exciting league.  Grand Prix show jumping will resume on February 21st with the Guidam Grand Prix League.

Soho Boutique Autumn Grand Prix at Kildare International Result

1st. C Swail, Cara Touche, C/C/43.99
2nd. C Swail, Music Hill Cruise, C/4/44.75
3rd. J Floody, Ashbourne, C/16/64.24
4th. P OShea, Day Dream St Ghyvan,4
5th. C Swail, Uretto,4
6th. P O Shea, The Patriot,4

Botanica/ShowjumpingIreland Autumn Grand Prix League Result

League Winner. Conor Swail
Leading Owner Norman Allen, Cara Touche.
League Runner Up. Trevor Breen