Cian O'Connor

Cian O'Connor (born 12 November 1979) is an Irish equestrian who competes in show jumping. He has competed at three Olympic Games, four World Championships and six European Championships. O'Connor was stripped of the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics when his horse was found to have a banned substance in its system.

O'Connor returned to the Olympics in 2012, receiving the bronze medal in the individual showjumping event. At the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, O'Connor finished seventh.

Cian was a member of the Irish Teams that won the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse show in 2004, 2012, 2015 and 2022.

O’Connor was also a member of the winning Irish team at the European Show Jumping Championships in 2017, where he placed third in the individual competition.

As part of the Irish World Championships team in Herning 2022, O'Connor qualified for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

Major results

2004 Summer Olympics

Riding his horse, Waterford Crystal, O'Connor finished as winner of the jumping competition, and his gold medal made him the only Irish medalist that year. However, on 8 October 2004, it emerged that Waterford Crystal had tested positive for a prohibited substance. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ruled that O'Connor must be stripped of his medal and he also received a three-month ban from competition. FEI found that he did not deliberately attempt to affect the performance of the horse. The individual showjumping gold medal went to Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa and the Irish team's seventh place was inherited by the Italians.

2020 Summer Olympics

Placed seventh Individual in Tokyo 2020 Olympics (celebrated in 2021) with his horse Kilkenny.

2012 Summer Olympics

Won the bronze medal in London with his horse Blue Loyd 12 in individual jumping. He lost to Gerco Schröder of the Netherlands in a Silver medal jump-off.2004 Summer Olympics

Riding his horse, Waterford Crystal, he became an instant national hero, being the only Irish medalist that year. However, on 8 October 2004, it emerged that Waterford Crystal had tested positive for a prohibited substance. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ruled that O'Connor must be stripped of his medal and he also received a three-month ban from competition. FEI found that he did not deliberately attempt to affect the performance of the horse. The individual showjumping gold medal went to Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa and the Irish team's seventh place was inherited by the Italians.

Horses

Kilkenny

(01/05/2012) Gelding, Grey. Irish Sport Horse (Cardento 933 x Guidam)

Taj Mahal

(11/05/2013) Stallion, Bay. Zangersheide (Emerald Van'T Ruytershof x Quannan R)

C Vier 2

(22/05/2008) Gelding, Bay. Holsteiner (Cardento 933 x Concorde)

Good Luck

(15/05/2006) Stallion, Bay. Belgian Warmblood (Canturo x Furioso II)

Blue Lloyd 12 (11/02/2000) Gelding, Bay. Oldenburger (Landor S x Hadj A X)

Splendor

(31/05/1999) Gelding, Chestnut. Dutch Warmblood (Lester x Marinier)

K Club Lady

(08/03/1999) Mare, Bay. Holsteiner (Calido x Landgraf I)

Arabella

(05/05/2003) Mare, Bay. Irish Sport Horse (Heartbreaker x Cavalier Royale)

Larkhill Cruiser

(20/03/2001) Gelding, Chestnut. Irish Sport Horse (Cruising x Crosstown Dancer)

Rancorrado

(06/04/1998) Gelding, Bay. Dutch Warmblood (Gran Corrado x Hamlet). Horse

Echo Beach

(23/05/2007) Stallion, Bay. Anglo European (Unbelievable Darco x Goodtimes)

Waterford Crystal

(06/03/1991) Gelding, Bay. Holsteiner (Landgraf I x Corvado)

References

External links

• Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 23 May 2001)
• Cian O'Connor (and here) at FEI
• Cian O'Connor at the Olympic Federation of Ireland
• Cian O'Connor at Olympics.com
• Cian O'Connor at Olympedia