Cian O'Connor (born 12 November 1979) is an Irish equestrian who competes in show jumping. He has competed at four Olympic Games and six European Championships. O'Connor has made more than 150 appearances for Ireland, with Horse Sport Ireland marking his 150th appearance in 2024.
O'Connor was a member of the Irish teams that won the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show in 2004, 2012, 2015 and 2022. At the 2017 FEI European Championships, he was a member of the Irish team that won the team jumping gold medal and also won the individual bronze medal.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, O'Connor won the individual bronze medal riding Blue Loyd. He returned to the Olympics at Tokyo 2020, held in 2021, riding Kilkenny, and competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with Maurice.
In 2026, O'Connor was part of the Irish team at the World Championships in Aachen, where Ireland secured qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Recent results
Year Place Horse Event Rating Show Location20251stBentley de SuryWorld Cup WinCSI5*Longines FEI World CupOcala, Florida2025Part of Irish Winning Nations Cup TeamBentley de SuryNations CupCSI05*Nations CupLa Baule, France20261stGenghis Khan1.55mCSI5*1.55mHamburg, Germany20261stGenghis Khan1.50mCSI5*1.50mLa Baule, France
Olympic Games
2004 Summer Olympics
Riding Waterford Crystal, O'Connor initially placed first in the individual jumping competition at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Waterford Crystal subsequently tested positive for prohibited substances and O'Connor was stripped of the gold medal. He also received a three-month suspension from competition.
The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) found that O'Connor had not been involved in a deliberate attempt to affect the performance of the horse. The gold medal was subsequently awarded to Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa.
2012 Summer Olympics
O'Connor represented Ireland at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, riding Blue Loyd. After initially being named first reserve for the individual final, he gained a place following the withdrawal of Sweden's Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall.
Blue Loyd completed both rounds of the final without jumping faults. O'Connor incurred a single time penalty after finishing the second round 0.02 seconds over the permitted time, leaving him tied with the Netherlands' Gerco Schröder and requiring a jump-off for the silver medal.
In the jump-off, Blue Loyd knocked the final fence, leaving O'Connor with four faults and the bronze medal. It was O'Connor's first Olympic medal.
2020 Summer Olympics O'Connor represented Ireland at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were held in 2021, riding Kilkenny. The combination finished seventh in the individual competition.
Kilkenny developed a nosebleed during the individual final, and O'Connor subsequently withdrew the horse from the team competition.
2024 Summer Olympics O'Connor represented Ireland at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, riding Maurice. He competed in both the individual and team jumping competitions.
O'Connor finished 33rd in the individual qualifying round and did not qualify for the individual final. Ireland finished seventh in the team competition.
Karlswood O'Connor is based at Karlswood, an equestrian training facility near Batterstown, County Meath. He developed the facility as a base for training and producing show jumping horses and riders.
The facility includes indoor, outdoor and grass arenas and facilities for equine fitness, rehabilitation and preparation for international competition.
References
External links
at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (archived)