O'Connor claims top spot at Olympia
Ratoath equestrian star Cian O'Connor won the Grand Prix at the London Olympia International Horseshow on Monday night. O'Connor's Rancorrado was the quickest of six in the final jump-off to take the Grand Prix last won by an Irish rider in 1987, when Eddie Macken was victorious. The victory avenged O'Connor's defeat by Dutchman Eric ven der Vleuten in yesterday's World Cup qualifier and he also collected the top prze of £15,000. O'Connor and Rancorrado led the jump-off in a time of 35.49 seconds, pipping van der Vleuten and Groep Tomboy by 0.53 of a second. Reigning European individual champion Kevin Staut was third with Le Prestige St Lois. Frenchman Timothie Anciaume was fourth and Egypt's Abdel Said fifth. O'Connor finished a close second on Sunday with a superb double clear from Rancorrado. Against world-class opposition the Irish partnership set a tough target in the 11-horse jump-off and only Dutchman Eric Van Der Vleuten and the feisty VDL Groep Tomboy could better the time to claim the maximum 20 World Cup qualifying points and the €26,500 top prize. The first round proved to be a bit of a puzzle in the early stages. The tight confines of the Victorian Grand Hall at the central London venue once again proved to be a challenge when the fences were raised to the maximum 1.60 metres and both Billy Twomey with Montanus Colorado and Cameron Hanley with SIEC Livello went out with just four faults each. Once the clear rounds started to come in there was plenty of them with O'Connor fifth to go against the clock. The Ratoath man's 11-year-old gelding covered the ground with ease and cruised home effortlessly in 35.66 seconds to put it up to the rest of the field, and they struggled. However, 46-year-old Van Der Vleuten came out second last and managed to out-do O'Connor with a superb ride. Penelope Leprevost and Mylord Carthago claimed third spot. O'Connor had a great weekend at the Christmas fixture with Irish Independent Echo Beach finishing second and third in the speed classes and Calistra sharing the Puissance honours on Friday night.