O'Connor starts well in St Gallen
Thursday, 4 June 2009 17:09Meath'S Cian O'Connor struck early at the five star Nations' Cup show in St Gallen, Switzerland today with a second place in the opening competition and a win in the subsequent class.
Outgunned on 'Baloufina' by over two seconds in the first competition of the day by French ace Roger Yves Bost, the 29-year-old Irish rider bounced back in the Two Phase class with a narrow win on the Irish-bred 'Irish Independent Echo Beach'.
O'Connor said afterwards: 'It's a great start to the show for me. Both mares tried their hearts out and a win at this level certainly goes down well.'
Compatriot Capt David O'Brien rode the Minister for Defence's Irish-bred mare 'Kiltoom' into joint third in the Two Phase competition when tying on time with the USA's Christine McCrea.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* ST GALLEN SWITZERLAND
4-7 JUNE 2009
International Jumping Competition
Two Phase Table A 1m45
FEI Art 274/5.3
Thursday 4 June
1) Irish Independent Echo Beach (ISH); Cian O'CONNOR (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 33.45
2) Vdl Emmerton; Jur VRIELING (NED) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 33.70
=3) Promised Land; Christine MCCREA (USA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 34.18
=3) Kiltoom (ISH); Capt David O'BRIEN (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time
34.18\
43 starters
International Jumping Competition
Table A against the clock 1m40
FEI Art. 238.2.1
Thursday 4 June 2009
1) Jovis De Ravel; Roger Yves BOST (FRA) Faults 0.00 Time 52.20
2) Baloufina; Cian O'CONNOR (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 54.51
3) LB Lady Balu; Christina LIEBHERR (SUI) Faults 0.00 Time 54.99
41 starters
