Latest from Horse & Hound in Austin-oconnor

Colorado Blue is back and heading to World Championships as Irish eventing squad named

Lucy Elder — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:03:58 +0000

Five-star winners Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue head a strong Irish eventing squad for the 2026 World Championships (11 to 23 August).

Colorado Blue, who won Maryland 5 Star with Austin in 2023 and was runner-up at Defender Burghley last year, missed a five-star tilt this spring owing to a “bit of a set back in training”. Austin said at the time that he hoped it was a “fairly short-term” setback and that he hoped they would have the Aachen World Championships to look forward to.

The 17-year-old gelding, who has also been on the Mars Badminton podium twice, had his first run since April last week, jumping a steady clear across country in an open intermediate section at Upton House (14 July).

Austin said “Salty” was “very happy indeed to be back out, doing his favourite thing”.

The duo were part of the Irish team at the last worlds in Pratoni, as well as the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.

They are joined by two combinations who helped Ireland to the historic European team silver medal at Blenheim last year: Aoife Clark with Full Monty De Lacense and Ian Cassells on Millridge Atlantis.

Double world silver medallist Padraig McCarthy, who was also part of the medal-winning side at Blenheim, is named on the squad with his home-bred MGH Zabaione. This will be a first senior championships for the 10-year-old gelding, who won Blenheim’s kingmaker eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S in 2024, Ballindenisk CCI4*-L in 2025, and has had other exciting four-star results to his name.

Georgie Goss, a former youth medallist for Britain who switched to represent Ireland in 2023, will have make her senior championship debut wearing the Irish flag with Kojak.

Horse Sport Ireland high performance eventing manager Sam Griffiths said the selection panel “had some incredibly tough decisions to make, which really reflects positively on the growing strength of Irish eventing”.

“There were lots of combinations that could have made the team but just missed it,” he said. “But having said that, the combinations we have are very strong. I firmly believe that if they can maintain their current form and compete to the level of their current form, we’ll be very competitive.

“We’ve got a really strong team. We know we’re going to be against some fierce competition but we’re going with a lot of confidence and we’re all very proud to be able to represent the nation.”

Irish eventing squad for the 2026 Aachen World Championships

The full squad, in alphabetical order by athlete surname, is:

Ian Cassells, Millridge Atlantis, 12

Owners: Ber, Fiona and Gerry Leahy

Breeder: Sean O’Loughlin

Breeding: Dinan Cascaletto x Warrenstown You 2

Aoife Clark, Full Monty De Lacense, 11

Owners: Ace of Spades Syndicate

Breeder: SCEA Du Noron

Breeding: Quickly De Kreisker x Vesontio Du Mesnil

Padraig McCarthy, MGH Zabaione, 10

Owners: Peter Cattell, Diane Brunsden and rider

Breeder: rider

Breeding: Zavall VDL x Acobat I

Georgie Goss, Kojak, 11

Owners: Molly Fisher, Lucy Fleming and Samantha Wilson

Breeder: H Vos

Breeding: Namelus R x Contender

Austin O’Connor, Colorado Blue, 17

Owners: The Salty Syndicate

Breeder: Mellon Stud

Breeding: Jaguar Mail x Rock King

Irish eventing squad reserves

Susie Berry with 15-year-old gelding John The Bull

Owners: Nick & Helen Caton

Breeder: James Byrne

Breeding: by Luidam, out of a mare by Houmayoun

Sarah Ennis with 11-year-old gelding Dourough Ferro Class Act

Owners: James and Niki Potterton

Breeder: Gordon Dury

Breeding: by Creevagh Ferro out of a mare by OBOS Quality 004

Padraig McCarthy with 12-year-old gelding Pomp N Circumstance

Owners: Rachel and Sarah Gough

Breeder: Sarah Gough

Breeding: by Pompadour xx out of a mare by Furisto

Joseph Murphy with 15-year-old gelding Calmaro

Owners: Richard and Tanja Ames, Annette O’Callaghan and Alan Bell

Breeder: Hartmut Schack

Breeding: by Carpalano out of a mare by Elsurimo xx

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‘One of those things’: five-star winner ruled out of Kentucky and Badminton

Becky Murray — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:58:21 +0000

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue will not contest a spring five-star, following a “setback in training”.

The 2023 Maryland 5 Star winners were entered for both Mars Badminton Horse Trials (6-10 May) and Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (23-26 April) and were expected to compete at the latter. After withdrawing from Badminton yesterday (8 April), they have now also withdrawn from Kentucky.

Austin confirmed to H&H that he and 17-year-old Colorado Blue – who were third at Badminton last year and runners-up at Defender Burghley Horse Trials – would not be travelling to the US.

“He’s had a bit of a setback in training, but hopefully it’s fairly short-term. We’re going to give Badminton and Kentucky a miss this time, and hopefully have him back out in five or six weeks,” said Austin.

Austin and Colorado Blue finished sixth in Thoresby Park’s four-star Grantham Cup at the weekend (3–5 April) in what was their prep run for Kentucky.

“He was on great old form, it’s just one of those things. We’re going to miss a five-star this spring but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ll have Aachen [the World Championships on 11-23 August] to look forward to.”

As reported yesterday, Ireland’s Joseph Murphy has withdrawn Belline Fighting Spirit from Kentucky – but he remains on the Badminton entry list, so is expected to run at the Gloucestershire event.

Padraig McCarthy is now the only remaining Irish entry for Kentucky, with Rachel and Sarah Gough’s and his own Pomp N Circumstance. There are 35 entries remaining from the original 37 for the US CCI5* – find out which Kentucky Three-Day Event riders are in with a chance.

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Recent withdrawals mean Badminton and Kentucky entry lists start to firm up

Pippa Roome — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:33:47 +0000

The entry lists for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (22-26 April) and Mars Badminton Horse Trials (6-10 May) are starting to firm up, as the latest withdrawals come in.

Austin O’Connor has today withdrawn his 2023 Maryland 5 Star winner Colorado Blue from Badminton, so he is firmly expected to board the plane to Kentucky.

Another Irish rider, Joseph Murphy, has withdrawn Belline Fighting Spirit from Kentucky; he remains on the Badminton entry list, so is likely to run at the Gloucestershire event.

Ian Cassells, part of the Irish silver medal-winning team at last year’s Europeans with Millridge Atlantis, is also among the latest Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals, with Master Point. They came 13th there last year on their debut at the event.

Badminton final scores

Harry Meade has withdrawn Cavalier Crystal from Kentucky, leaving Et Hop Du Matz, Grafennacht and Superstition as his potential rides for that event. It is possible for riders to pilot three horses at Kentucky, although it would be very unusual for an overseas rider to do so and it’s likely Harry’s hand will thin to two mounts before the horses travel to the US.

Harry still has five entries at Badminton; Cavalier Crystal, Et Hop Du Matz, Superstition, Grafennacht and Annaghmore Valoner. He can ride up to three horses at Badminton, so the most probable scenario is that Harry will have two starters at Kentucky and three at his local five-star, Badminton.

David Doel’s top horse Galileo Nieuwmoed remains on the entry list for both Kentucky and Badminton. David’s plan A is to take Galileo to Kentucky, leaving him with Ferro Point and Midnight Rollercoaster at Badminton. The British rider’s three horses are double-entered at Badminton, so he only has two entries between the three horses and does not plan to ride three there.

US rider Boyd Martin has Miks Master C as a possible starter at both Kentucky and Badminton. It seems likely his intention is to take him to Badminton, and Commando 3 and Cooley Nutcracker to Kentucky.

Finally, Hayden Hankey told H&H his ride Fools In Love had colic surgery last Wednesday (1 April) so he is expected to be withdrawn from his planned Badminton debut.

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‘I can’t take all the credit!’: Burghley groom’s prize winner on dashing to a wedding, and what it’s like to manage Austin O‘Connor’s Colorado Blue at a top event

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 07:30:34 +0000

This year’s Defender Burghley groom’s prize recipient says she owes much of her success to her mum and fellow groom, Jess Elliott.

Francesca Denning, who looks after The Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue at events, won the SPILLERS Horse Care prize. However, on Saturday (6 September) she had another important duty away from the cross-country course.

“It was my best friend’s wedding on the Saturday,” she says. “I had to travel two hours away, and my mum and Jess, who grooms Austin’s other ride Sixmilewater, stepped in.”

Francesca says Salty, ridden into second place by Austin O’Connor, could not have been in safer hands. “Jess is super experienced. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

“My mum’s been to Badminton with me and knows how I do things, and we’re lucky to have Tim O’Hagen, the Irish team vet, with us.”

Francesca’s day job is working and riding for Jane O’Donald.

“I’m lucky that Jane lets me go off for a couple of weeks of the year to look after Salty at the big shows,” she says.

“I used to work for Austin when I first came out of university, and we’ve been friends ever since.

“I was lucky that when he went to Tokyo 2020, he asked me if I wanted to go and groom for him, and since then I’ve done all the shows with Salty, including the Paris Olympics, where it was a totally different atmosphere to Tokyo with the crowds.”

Burghley groom’s prize: caring for a crowd-favourite horse

He has talent in spades, but Salty is also the perfect gent. Francesca says he’s a pleasure to care for at a five-star.

“Salty loves being out for grazing, so I try to keep him out of his stable as much as possible,” she says. “He’s a really chilled character and so sweet, I just go in and do what I need to do.

“I do have to drag him down to the wash bay, though. You can tell he’s thinking “not again”, being a grey! But it’s a real pleasure to come and look after him, because he’s such a nice person. It makes it that much more enjoyable.”

The crowds know 16-year-old Salty well. Plus, as a head-turning grey, you can hardly miss Francesca’s handiwork.

“He’ll come out at the trot-up and the crowds will start laughing at him because he’s just Mr Cool. You see some horses get really lit up, but he’s like ‘whatever, I know what I’m doing, I’ve been here enough times now!’ and he struts his stuff.”

Francesca, who rides at two-star herself with her own and Jane O’Donald’s Rossa Seven, says she’s succeeded if Austin is free to maintain a clear head.

“The main thing I want to do is make it so Austin doesn’t have to think about anything but getting on his horse and riding. I don’t feel pressure from Austin or the team. As long as I’ve got the horse ready at the time we discussed, I’ve done my job – and the team generally is so supportive and relaxed.”

Francesca says the pair’s runner-up placing was their hard work behind the scenes “shining through”.

“Austin worked so hard on his dressage, and it paid off.

“It’s a special partnership,” she continues. “Everyone can see they have a great bond and know each other inside out, and they really come into their own on cross-country day.”

Francesca drove to Austin and wife Amy’s base in Didcot, Oxfordshire, after Burghley to “put Salty to bed.”

“It was so good to see him and Buster (Sixmilewater) having a roll and a well-deserved rest the next day.”

For Francesca, winning the Burghley groom’s prize is “amazing,” but she’s quick to share the success with Team O’Connor.

“Really, I can’t take all the credit,” she concludes. “It was a big team effort with my mum and Jess. And the team at home, who manage Salty every day, are the ones who had him looking in great condition out there. That’s all down to them.”

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The highest-placed British horse, top grooms, and cake: check out who won the Burghley special prizes

Becky Murray — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:30:59 +0000

The curtain has closed on the 2025 Defender Burghley Horse Trials – and what a competition it was. It’s time to find out who won this year’s Burghley special prizes and trophies.

It was a thrilling week of heart-filled performances at the British five-star, and one that will go down in the history books. We bring you our winners’ gallery below.

Burghley Horse Trials special prizes

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo left fans in awe when they became back-to-back winners of the prestigious Lincolnshire event, with an astounding nine-penalty margin. It was their second five-star win of the year, having won Mars Badminton Horse Trials in May, and Lordships Graffalo is the first horse to win both Burghley and Badminton twice.

Along with the Burghley crown, the pair and their connections bagged a host of prizes…

The Defender Perpetual Challenge Trophy, awarded to the winning owners (miniature replica to the owner and the rider of the winning horse): Archie and Michele Saul for Lordships Graffalo, ridden by Ros Canter

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

The Burghley Challenge Cup, awarded to the winning rider: Ros Canter

The Burghley Cakes, awarded by Jeremy Topham-Smith from The George Hotel, Stamford, to the winning rider and horse: Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

British Breeding prize for the highest-placed British-bred horse: Lordships Graffalo, bred by Lordships Stud, Writtle College and Pennie Wallace, by Grafenstolz, out of Cornish Queen (by Rock King)

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

The Avebury Trophy, presented by Mark and Rosemary Barlow in memory of their three-time Burghley winner, to the rider of the best cross-country round as judged by Yogi Breisner: Ros Canter for Lordships Graffalo

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The British Horse Foundation presented the Richard Matson Memorial Trophy and a £1,000 prize to the breeder of the highest-placed British-bred horse: co-breeder Lordships Stud, Writtle College for Lordships Graffalo

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue finished second. This is the pair’s fourth five-star podium finish, their most recent was at Badminton, where they were third.

They received a number of awards for their efforts:

The Henry Tate Challenge Cup, awarded to the owner of the second-placed horse: The Salty Syndicate

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

The Sugden Challenge Trophy, awarded to the rider of the second-placed horse: Austin O’Connor

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

A Crystal Champagne Cooler, awarded to the owner and rider of the second-placed horse: The Salty Syndicate

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

World number one Harry Meade continued to show he is a five-star machine, taking third, fourth, and ninth. This is the third year running Harry and Cavalier have been third at Burghley.

They once again collected:

The Stamford Challenge Cup, awarded to the owner of the third-placed horse: Charlotte Opperman

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

A silver photo frame, awarded by Dawson of Stamford Ltd to the rider of the third-placed horse: Harry Meade

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A Crystal Tulip Bowl awarded to the owner and the rider of the third-placed horse: Charlotte Opperman and Harry Meade

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Twemlows Burghley Scholarship for two embryo transfers, awarded by Twemlows Stud farm to the owner of the highest-placed British domiciled mare to finish in the top 20: Charlotte Opperman for Cavalier Crystal

(Image credit: PETER NIXON)

One of the Burghley Horse Trials special prizes was given to a rider outside the top three…

A Miniature of the Defender Perpetual Challenge Trophy, awarded to the highest placed first-timer: Cassie Sanger riding Redfield Fyre

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Pol Roger Champagne presented a jeroboam of Pol Roger Champagne to the top three riders: Ros Canter, Austin O’Connor and Harry Meade

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fairfax & Favour presented a prize to the best-dressed male and female riders at the first horse inspection: Matthew Heath and Samantha Lissington

Matthew Heath and ASKARI in the 1st Horse Inspections of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the park land surrounding Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK between 3rd - 7th September 2025 (Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)

Samantha Lissington riding BILLY ALBERTO in the 1st Horse Inspections of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the park land surrounding Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK between 3rd - 7th September 2025 (Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)

There were also prizes for unsung heroes behind the scenes…

Spillers Horse Care Prize, to the grooms of the best-cared-for horses, in recognition of their hard work and dedication – winner: Francesca Denning for her care of Austin O’Connor’s Colorado Blue

Austin O'Connor and COLORADO BLUE during the cross country phase, Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 6 September 2025© Nico Morgan Media. No usage, third party sales or syndication granted without prior permission. (Image credit: Nico Morgan Media)

Runner-up: Tilly Hughes for her care of Laura Collett’s Bling

Laura Collett riding BLING during the dressage phase of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the park land surrounding Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK between 3rd - 7th September 2025 (Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials /)

The Worshipful Company of Farriers best shod horse award: Stephen Hill (pictured left) for Alexander Tordoff’s Cool Jack

Winner of The Worshipful Company of Farriers award for the "best shod horse” during Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the park land surrounding Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK between 3rd - 7th September 2025 (Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)

Lady Victoria award: awarded to George Burnham, groundskeeper

Unsung hero award, in memory of Justin Llewelyn: Annette Grundy, catering steward for more than 30 years

Burghley Horse Trials special prizes – winners’ pictures by Peter Nixon and Nico Morgan

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‘A special horse with a special heart’: crowd-favourites finish second at Burghley 2025

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:08:50 +0000

Austin O’Connor and the brilliant Colorado Blue have finished second after their 2025 Defender Burghley Horse Trials showjumping round this afternoon (7 September).

They could afford to have a fence down in the final phase and they used this buffer up at fence 10a – the first part of a double combination.

They completed on a score of 32.6, which was nine points adrift of winners Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who have won this event for the second year in a row.

Austin and “Salty’s” result marks the best since 1966 for Ireland.

“I’m over the moon,” said Austin. “We had a rail down but it didn’t make a difference to the final result. We have been beaten by out and out champions.”

On incurring four faults in the final Burghley Horse Trials showjumping phase, Austin O’Connor said: “Our biggest problem was that Salty was so fresh, which is extraordinary after yesterday. He was pulling my arms out at the end of the cross-country yesterday, so if that’s the reason I had a rail this year, then I’m delighted.”

Austin and Salty, who finished 14th at Burghley last year, said that their event here in 2024 “wasn’t their year”.

“Look, it wasn’t our weekend last year, but we won Maryland 5 Star in 2023, were third at Badminton in 2023 and this year and now this finish here – it’s unreal. I think Salty and Lordships Graffalo are in a league of their own at this level.”

Continuing his praise for ‘Salty’, who is owned by The Salty Syndicate alongside his rider, Austin said: “It’s a dream that’s continuing – horses like Salty don’t come into our lives very often, no matter who you are or how successful you are – how he’s jumped is so exciting.

“He’s 16 but he thinks he’s six years old. If you don’t have a special horse with a special heart, you’re never at the races.

“It was a fair track, a nice track, of course there was a lot of pressure, but Colorado Blue was mad fresh today and pulling my arms out, but actually, that’s great.”

To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout Burghley and other major shows this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website, from £1 a week. Horse & Hound’s 20-page magazine report on Burghley is published in 11 September issue, including full analysis and exclusive comment from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.

‘Definitely the toughest track he’s jumped at this speed’: Austin O’Connor and crowd-favourite ‘Salty’ on top form for second place after brilliant Burghley cross-country

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 15:41:57 +0000

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the brilliant grey, Colorado Blue, put in a storming round during the Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country today (Saturday 6 September) to claim second place overnight.

Austin and the 16-year-old he co-owns alongside the Salty Syndicate put in the third fastest round of the day. They finished just two seconds over the 11min 24sec optimum time around the Derek di Grazia-designed cross-country track to sit on 28.6.

The fastest round belonged to Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who finished eight seconds inside the time, and they hold the lead going into the showjumping, with 6.2 penalties in hand over Austin.

“He was amazing,” said Austin of “Salty”, with whom he won Maryland 5 Star in 2023. “I was very open-minded but he flew and was in a good rhythm. That is definitely the toughest track he’s jumped at this speed.

“I’m sure he got me out of trouble a couple of times. but he’s finished with his ears pricked and that’s the main thing.”

On the course, Austin said: “There was a lot of jumping and galloping and there was also a little bit of juice in the ground too.”

Austin described Salty, who has risen from eighth after the dressage, as “an unbelievable horse”.

“He jumped super and wanted to jump through the flags. We lost a bit of rhythm here and there, but that’s what happens with cross-country and he galloped home really well.”

Tim Price and Vitali maintain their third place after dressage at the end of the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country. They jumped clear across country, picking up 8.8 time-faults to sit on a score of 31.9.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Burghley and other major shows this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website, from £1 a week. Horse & Hound’s 20-page magazine report on Burghley is published in 11 September issue, including full analysis and exclusive comment from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.

‘That was amazing’: change of bridle pays dividends for Burghley rider as they slot into the top four

Gemma Redrup — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:54:31 +0000

British-based New Zealand rider Samantha Lissington has slotted into fourth place in today’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage on Lord Seekönig (5 September).

Samantha and this 12-year-old gelding, owned by Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, Neil Robert and Samantha’s husband Brayden, scored 24 with a polished and accomplished, accurate test.

Their highlights were the flying changes, two of which scored eights across the board from the judges.

“That was amazing – I came here with a bit of a different plan,” said 33-year-old Samantha, who has been based in the UK since 2019. “This horse can get strong and I ride in a double bridle usually, but I got slammed in Aachen for having his frame too low. So I went away and worked on my IPP – individual performance plan – and have been trying him in a snaffle bridle.”

Samantha explained that until she was just entering Burghley’s main arena today, she still wasn’t sure whether she should ride Lord Seekönig in a double bridle.

“Even in the warm-up, I wasn’t sure, and was uhmming and ahhing util the last minute. In the end, I opted for the snaffle bridle and I was delighted with how it went,” she said.

“Basically, it’s actually not the be-all and end-all here this week – the goal is the World Championships next year and then the LA Olympics beyond that. So actually, if I wasn’t going to test out riding him in a snaffle this week, when was I going to do it? I thought I would actually sacrifice a test for knowing which one way or another.”

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the much-loved grey Colorado Blue performed a super test for a mark of 27.8 – the first time this pair have scored in the 20s at five-star level. They are in eighth following the 2025 Burghley Horse Trials dressage.

Austin had a change in tactics during his warm-up; he got off “Salty” for 10 minutes, then remounted a few minutes before they entered the main arena.

“I had a very good feeling in the warm-up and he’s a bit like me in that we lose concentration pretty quickly,” explained Austin. “So I thought I’d try something different and get off his back for 10 minutes and hopefully I would get back on and pick up where I left off, and it worked very well.”

Austin was deservedly over the moon with his 2023 Maryland 5 Star winner.

“We’ve produced our best test ever – Tracie Robinson has been a great help with our training and she probably deserves this result more than me,” he said. “And the horse deserves it too. He’s known as a good cross-country horse, but he’s never done a bad test. I think going in there on the Friday afternoon, the atmosphere lifted him as he likes to show off to the public.”

Burghley Horse Trials dressage top 10 results

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent lead the way on a score of 22, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo are second on 22.4. New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali are third on 23.1 with day one leaders Piggy March and MCS Maverick fifth on 25.7. Emily King is sixth with Valmy Biats on 26.1, Germany’s Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH are seventh on 27.2, Alex Bragg and Ardeo Premier are ninth on 28.4 and Tom Crisp and Dassett Rock Star round off the top 10 on 28.5.

The cross-country gets under way at 11.30am tomorrow.

‘Burghley is always the monster in this sport’ – riders react to new-look cross-country course

Pippa Roome — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:44:13 +0000

Irish rider Sam Watson described Burghley as “the monster in this sport” today (4 September), as riders reacted to the new-look Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course, which will be tackled on Saturday.

Designer Derek di Grazia has reversed the route around the track this year. The last time the course was ridden this way was in 2017 and it means a particularly intense early climb from the Boodles water fences at six and seven up to the Irish Horse Board Cottesmore Leap at 11.

“It’s massive and a serious track from the beginning to the end,” said Sam’s compatriot Austin, who has two rides here this week and is among the favourites to win with 2023 Maryland 5 Star winner Colorado Blue.

“It’s a long pull up to the Cottesmore Leap and you’ve got to be sensible and conserve as much energy as you possibly can. Then you run to the Maltings area and there’s a lot of big jumping there, so you’ve got to keep petrol in the tank.”

Irish 2018 world team silver medallist Sam Watson, co-founder of equestrian data analytics company EquiRatings, predicted that less than half the field will jump clear and there will be one inside the time.

“It’s technical and difficult in places like you might get on a very tough championship course,” he said. “Burghley is always the monster in this sport because of the terrain and then there are road crossings at Capability’s Cutting, the Leaf Pit is slow, and he’s made us really slow at the Trout Hatchery this year.

“The best we’ve seen in the sport over the past decade are here and I think it’s probably going to be their biggest test, aside from a wet Badminton or something like that.”

“Like riding at a fresh venue”

“A lot of big jumping” – Joules at the Maltings, fences 17 and 18. (Image credit: Pippa Roome)

Tom Jackson, who will pilot Hawk Eye round, said: “I think it’s very different and interesting going the other way around. I think the time is going to be really influential. I just can’t see anywhere, really, where we can get up on it or to it.”

Austin and Harry Meade are among those who have ridden the track this way round, although Harry pointed out that the addition of the “flyover” – where the track in one direction goes across a bridge over the other lane – since the last running this way round means the layout is actually slightly different.

“There’s lots to do and it’s really interesting going this way around. It’s not just a fresh set of questions, it’s almost like riding at a fresh venue,” said Harry, who has three rides this week.

Alex Bragg, who sits second after the first day of dressage on Ardeo Premier, added: “It’s just so different from last year. You can’t believe it’s the same designer, but maybe that’s a sign of a good designer – the fact that you never know quite what you’re preparing for and so you have to prepare for everything.”

Experienced Irish rider Joseph Murphy commented: “Nobody really knows how this course is going to ride this weekend. The first four minutes is a lot of uphill, and then if horses catch their breath, you can then gallop home – but how far you’re going to be behind the clock is anybody’s guess at the moment, so it’s going to be a tactical ride.

“Burghley is a bigger course than you ever see anywhere else and that means you have to ride forward and be brave and use your horse’s scope and stride. The distance are built beautifully for that.

“I don’t think it’s easy, but I have a good feeling about how it’s designed and laid out. I like it, so fingers crossed.”

Sam said the corner at Defender Dairy Mound (fence 9b) is “the blindest corner I’ve ever seen in the sport”.

“I think that’s a really tricky fence and I think anyone can be vulnerable there,” said Sam.

Sam also picked out the Trout Hatchery (fence 21abcd and 22) as a tough complex, because of the turning back.

He said: “It feels like a long route and a lot of the reason we don’t take long routes is because while the fences are easier, the twisting and turning is really hard, particularly at that late stage of the course. That’s often why we will actually go the straight route – the long route looks easier to jump, but it’s harder to ride. So here at the Trout Hatchery, we’ve got the difficulty to ride of a long route [in terms of turn backs], with the difficult fences of a straight route.”

The Trout Hatchery involves tiring turnbacks on the direct route. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tom Jackson added that the accuracy questions have a “different style” to last year.

‘There is no doubt in my mind that she could be a very good horse’: British novice champions crowned

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:54:46 +0000

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor took the Fairfax Saddles British novice championship at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials with Diamond Mistress. They capitalised on a speedy double clear to finish on their 26.5 dressage.

“She has a great old brain,” said Austin of this eight-year-old owned by Kate Jarvey. “She’s a very big mare, so she’s very much growing into herself, but she’s got everything – movement, jump and most importantly, the desire to do the job.”

Austin said this class has been the plan for this mare by Diarado for a while.

“Although you never set out expecting to win, we knew she could be competitive and she was good in every department this week,” he said.

Austin took over the ride on Diamond Mistress from Ireland’s Sian Coleman in 2024.

“Sian did a brilliant job with her, but Kate wanted the mare to be exposed to more competition in the UK,” explained Austin. “There is no doubt in my mind that she could be a very good championship horse in future.”

Dressage leaders Sam Gillespie and Florissa added two showjumping time-faults to their 24.7 first-phase score to finish second and become British novice champions.

“‘Florie’ did a lovely test and then jumped a great double clear, but the showjumping time-faults cost us the win,” said Sam. “But she still thinks she’s a champion and I was really impressed with how she rose to the occasion, and am thrilled for her owner and breeder, Nicky Carmichael.”

Austin was third after dressage; Dani Stewart-Richardson was also ahead of him on Londonlook TN, but 3.2 time-faults across country dropped her to fourth.

Cross-country jumping was more influential in this section than in the other two main British championships; only 63.8% went clear compared with 84.6% in the intermediate and 87.5% in the open, and nine (15.5%) not finishing.

The Jump 1 Combination at fence 17abc – a brush followed by two arrowheads – caught out the most pairs; six faulted here and four went no further round the track. This combination was technical for the level, on an open distance with the light and dark of the trees also coming into play.

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‘I put the record straight’: Austin O’Connor settles a score to finish third at Badminton with 16-year-old who keeps improving

Martha Terry — Sun, 11 May 2025 15:04:36 +0000

It was an exact repeat of the rider podium from 2023, with Ros Canter, Oliver Townend and Austin O’Connor taking first, second and third at the conclusion of the 2025 Mars Badminton Horse Trials showjumping phase.

“It’s a very special result – if I was in a different era and these two [Ros and Oliver] weren’t around, I’d have won two Badmintons,” Austin said. “History will tell you I’m probably competing against two of the best event horses there have ever been.”

While the Irishman and his speed machine Colorado Blue (Salty), owned by The Salty Syndicate, benefited from the muddy conditions in 2023, this year they really stamped their class.

“I think Salty’s one of the best horses in the world, let alone in Ireland,” Austin added. “These horses are so consistent, no flashes in the pan. My lad is a bit older than the top two, but he doesn’t know that, just like me.”

They added just 0.4 of a showjumping time-fault to their career-best five-star dressage score of 30.8. Even with this improved dressage, the pair flew up the leaderboard from 20th in phase one courtesy of the Jaguar Mail-sired grey’s impeccable jumping performances.

Badminton final scores

Although the pair won Maryland in 2023, this was arguably their best ever performance, coming in an 80-strong highly competitive field.

“He’s an amazing horse and today was important because my jumping record hasn’t been bad, but it’s not been up to scratch,” said Austin, 50. “He’s not a bad jumper but he’s had an unlucky rail here and there, like at the Olympics and Burghley.

“But I knew in my heart of hearts he was still as good a jumper as ever, so it’s nice to put that straight.”

Badminton Horse Trials showjumping: “He’s getting better and better in his body”

Austin was nursing fourth place going into the showjumping arena, and Kelvin Bywater’s course was proving far from straightforward. Only five horses in the field jumped clear inside the time.

Harry Meade kept the pressure on the top five with his fault-free round aboard Cavalier Crystal, who jumped out of order from seventh to complete on 33.8. This meant Austin could not afford a single rail.

Austin’s clear in turn put the pressure on Gemma Stevens, whose bid for third unravelled when Chilli Knight lowered an uncharacteristic five fences. She slipped to 15th.

Austin marvelled at the way his “horse of a lifetime” seems to be still improving at this stage in his career.

“Has he ever jumped such a good round in his life? It’s brilliant,” he said. “I’ve said this spring, this horse is 16 and he’s getting better and better in his body. To be on the podium here is a dream but the most pleasing aspect for me was the way the horse jumped.”

Harry finished fourth on Cavalier Crystal, just 2.5pen adrift of Austin. Harry was also sixth on Superstition, with Emily King’s four faults on Valmy Biats lifting her from 11th to fifth.

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

If you want to watch the live action from Badminton Horse Trials from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. This year, Badminton TV has teamed up with ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch Badminton – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £21.99. Go to clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/badminton to subscribe or to activate your account as an existing Badminton TV subscriber. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. As part of Badminton TV, you can enjoy the documentary programme Legends and Legacy, a fly-on-the-wall insight into the 2024 event and preview of 2025.

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‘He has a heart the size of Badminton’: cross-country speed machine franks his class to give Olympian massive buzz

Martha Terry — Sat, 10 May 2025 14:20:35 +0000

Having already finished third at Badminton in 2023, Colorado Blue had put in a personal best this year in the dressage phase of 30.8 for Austin O’Connor. He is known as one of the fastest event horses in the world, so his round in today’s Mars Badminton Horse Trials cross-country phase (10 May), was always going to be one to watch. He was still flying towards the end, when many horses were flagging to sail home easily inside the time.

“The horse is incredible, and at the ripe old age of 16 I think he’s fitter than ever, in the form of his life,” said Austin, adding that the horse does “hours of hacking” at home. “He was pretty foot perfect. He’s got stacks of ability and a heart the size of Badminton.”

The Irishman milked the moment, as his still-fresh grey cantered in front of cheering crowds at the finish in the main arena. This penalty-free round propelled him right up the leaderboard into provisional second behind Gemma Stevens.

“It’s the most excited I’ve ever been,” added Austin, 50. “He’s been rated the best horse across country, but the more you do the more there’s pressure. I’m not getting any younger so there won’t be many Colorado Blues in my life. ”

Badminton final scores

End of day update: Austin is in fourth place ahead of showjumping.

More fast times at Badminton Horse Trials cross-country

Another Irish rider, Ian Cassells, also put in a fast and smooth round, bringing Master Point home for just 3.6 time-faults to add to their top-20 dressage mark of 30.7.

“He’s a blood horse with a massive stride, but gets a bit hollow in the combinations, a little bit messy – I just have to be very aware of my body,” he says. “It’s my first Badminton, it’s a show like nothing else.”

Christoph Wahler, a 31-year-old German whose previous best result was 22nd in 2022, put in an eyecatching round on D’Accord FRH to finish inside the time.

“He was quite impressed by the first couple of fences and then he got running,” said Christoph. “He tried his heart out to run so fast.”

While Christoph’s quick round moved him up from 25th after dressage to the top five with quarter of the field to go, Georgie Goss moved down from 11th to mid-division with a steady clear.

It looked a comfortable round for Georgie and Feloupe as the rider bids for her 10th completion at Badminton, though she expressed disappointment at her speed.

“The mare is phenomenal, but I just feel I let her down a bit,” she said. “I wasn’t strong enough with my leg towards the end and I did some long routes.

“She is out of this world, and I’m gutted for her, but she’s done a clear round round her second Badminton so I’ll stop moaning!”

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

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Irish five-star winner heads stateside for catch ride in $100,000 showcase

Lucy Elder — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:24:36 +0000

Five-star winner Austin O’Connor has jetted back across the Atlantic to take a catch ride in a $100,000 (£79,148) eventing grand prix.

Austin, who delivered Ireland’s first top-level eventing victory in 50 years at Maryland 5 Star aboard Colorado Blue in October, is contesting the Conceal Grand Prix Eventing Showcase in South Carolina (1 to 2 March).

Dressage and showjumping take place today (1 March), and competitors will tackle the Mark Phillips-designed arena cross-country track tomorrow.

Austin has caught the ride on Carlson 119, a 14-year-old advanced horse usually ridden by Amanda Beale Clement and owned by the Get Ready Syndicate.

“I’m lucky to be given the opportunity to ride a horse like him,” said Austin. “The main thing is not to irritate him, to make sure he’s happy, and that I don’t change his system. I’ve got to adapt to him, more than him adapt to me.

“He seems happy and confident, so I’m not going to change things instantly. It’s a case of keeping him confident and feeling, ‘I quite like this new guy on my back!’”

He said the venue at Bruce’s Field lends itself very well to the showcase, adding: “I can imagine it’s going to be a real crowd-pleaser. It’s almost a case of one seat sees all; I think it’s an excellent format and a great slight variation of the sport.”

The cross-country track covers multiple arenas and comprises 29 efforts over 2,275m. Many of the fences are jumped in both directions.

The quality startlist features big names and riders from the US, Australia and New Zealand. Boyd Martin and the superstar five-star and medal-winning campaigner Tsetserleg TSF took an early lead today and Boyd has several other high-profile rides to come.

Liz Halliday-Sharp, who was based in Britain for many years, has three horses among the starters. Others exciting names include leading five-star performers Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan, as well as New Zealand’s Monica Spencer with Artist.

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(Image credit: Amy Dragoo)

‘The result of a lifetime’s work’: an emotional Maryland 5 Star win amid leaderboard shake up

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

‘The result of a lifetime’s work’: an emotional Maryland 5 Star win amid leaderboard shake up

Pippa Roome — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 20:16:09 +0000

Austin O’Connor claimed his first five-star title when he topped the Mars Maryland 5 Star results today, calling the victory the “end result of a lifetime’s work”.

The 48-year-old Irish rider went into the arena in fourth place overnight and showjumped clear on his own and The Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue, despite one wild moment when the grey took off well away from the USEA oxer at fence seven. When the three ahead of him all had at least one fence down, he claimed Ireland’s first five-star title since Major Eddie Boylan and Durlas Eile took Badminton Horse Trials in 1965, 58 years ago.

“People like me – we’re not supposed to win five-stars, but it’s just happened, I think,” said an emotional Austin. “It’s the end result of a lifetime’s work really. Ultimately it’s all about the horse – he’s unbelievable, he’s been a champion for years and privately I was prepared to give him to somebody better because thought he deserved to win a five-star and I didn’t think I could win one with him, but here we are.”

Austin and the 14-year-old “Salty” have always excelled in the jumping phases since the horse moved up to five-star. They finished third in the tough conditions at Badminton this spring, with the fastest cross-country time of the day. After pulling up following an early run-out at Burghley Horse Trials in September, Austin decided to take the leap of faith and fly the horse out to the US for Maryland.

“It was actually Maryland committee member Tim Gardner – when I was having a bit of a down moment at Burghley, he put his arm round me and said, ‘You’ve got to bring Salty to Maryland’, because Pau would have been the obvious choice. He was the man that convinced us we should come here, I believed him and I’m delighted I did.”

Talking about his showjumping round today on Colorado Blue, Austin said: “I wouldn’t have come to Maryland if didn’t feel there was a strong possibility of him jumping a clear round, but the last couple of three-days he’s done, he’s ended up with a couple of cheap rails. It happens, but there was nothing really obvious and today I made a horrendous mistake and he got me out of jail.”

Austin has been involved with the horse from before he was conceived – he is by Jaguar Mail out of a mare by Rock King.

“I owned his dam and a great supporter of mine [Kate Jarvey] bought her from me. We had a breeding programme together and 20 years later here we are,” he said.

“He always looked a good horse but I guess a bit like myself, with age he’s got better – or luckier, whichever way you want to put it. He’s 85% thoroughbred, he’s all blood, he’s all class, he’s all heart, and he’ll try and try and try to the bitter end. From day one he looked a proper, proper horse.”

Maryland 5 Star results: two Brits on podium

Brits filled the other two places on the podium in the Maryland 5 Star results.

William Fox-Pitt held onto second with Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht, who just had the back rail off the oxer jumping into the Mars treble combination at fence nine.

He said: “She was great today –she can knock a jump or two or jump a clear. She’s not a showjumper although she’s by Grafenstolz – she’s not Lordships Graffalo, though we’re living and aiming for that. She can be a little bit economical and today she really could have jumped a clear round but she didn’t.

“I’m still delighted with one down – she’s the sort of horse she might lose an event with one down, could win one with a clear. There is a clear round in there, she’s great to work with and we can go on working. I’m glad I did have one down for Austin, we’re thrilled for him.”

Overnight leader Oliver Townend finished third with Paul Ridgeon’s nine-year-old Cooley Rosalent. He started out his round with a fence in hand and used up his life at 9c, but it was all over when the Buckeye green upright at fence 10 also came down.

“She was giving me an amazing feeling today,” said Oliver. “It was a baby mistake coming out of the combination – I felt everything was right going in. Then I felt it was me getting a bit too desperate at the next one, so perhaps she had one down and I had one down.

“For the future I’m not concerned about the showjumping phase – I thought she jumped a beautiful round and we had two mistakes. I can’t tell you how happy I am at the same time – I nearly cried for Austin. Austin is a good man and has been a good friend to me in fairly tough times the last few years.”

Austin’s round was the only clear inside the time today. Hannah Sue Hollberg just had 0.4 of a time-penalty on Capitol HIM to finish best of the home side in fourth, while her compatriot Mia Farley had eight faults to drop from third to fifth – still a very creditable first five-star result.

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell jumped clear with 0.8 of a time-penalty on Greenacres Special Cavalier to claim sixth.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Irishman leads after early stages of Maryland 5 Star cross-country plus one fall

Pippa Roome — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:55:10 +0000

Austin O’Connor holds the lead after the early stages of the Mars Maryland 5 Star cross-country.

The Irish rider was the pathfinder on his own and The Salty Syndicate’s seasoned campaigner Colorado Blue. He had a great round, finishing three seconds over the time having had to take a longer line to the final angled hedge element at the Mars Equestrian Crab Water (fence 22abcd).

No one else has come near to equalling Austin’s time over Ian Stark’s Maryland 5 Star cross-country track, with US rider Hannah Sue Hollberg the next fastest (7.2 time-penalties) on Capitol HIM.

Piggy March took the long route out of the Mars Equestrian Crab Water (fence 22abcd) on John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s five-star first-timer Brookfield Cavalier Cruise, finishing with 13.2 time-faults. Having been second after dressage, she is now second behind Austin on the leaderboard of completed riders, with Hannah Sue third.

New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, fourth after dressage, demonstrated how to take on the direct route out of the Mars Equestrian Crab Water with Artist, but still came home with 15.2 time-faults.

The home side’s Phillip Dutton had a fall with Azure when they didn’t get the stride they wanted into the second big corner at the Cecil County Corners (fences 18 and 19ab). Both were quickly up on their feet.

Fellow US rider Booli Selmayr had a couple of problems in the first half of the course and was pulled up by the ground jury at fence 24 with Millfield Lancando.

The leader after dressage, Oliver Townend (Cooley Rosalent), starts at 3.25pm local time (8.25pm British time).

End of day update: Austin holds fourth overnight, Piggy fifth, Hannah Sue sixth and Monica ninth.

Irish rider speeds into the lead with fastest Badminton cross-country clear so far, while title contender withdraws

Polly Bryan — Sun, 07 May 2023 12:46:33 +0000

Austin O’Connor has charged into the lead in the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country at the five-star event, presented by Mars Equestrian.

The Irishman rode a highly competitive round with the outstanding cross-country horse Colorado Blue, including making light work of the direct route at The Lake. They came home just 20sec over the optimum time, making them the fastest pair of the day so far, with just 10.8pen sending them into the lead at this stage.

Watch Austin speak after his round

“He’s full of class. He’s one of the best horses in the world, in my opinion,” said Austin. “It was a lot more difficult a round than I would normally have, but he dug deep and kept galloping.”

Badminton final scores

Tim Price also jumped a super clear around the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country with 24 time-penalties on Vitali, with whom he lay equal 11th overnight.

Watch Tim talk about Vitali’s performance

The 2022 Badminton winner Laura Collett has opted to withdraw her 2023 ride Dacapo, the 14-year-old Diarado gelding owned by Diana Chappell, Gillian Morris-Adams, Alison and Michel Smedley and Carolyn Taylor. The pair lay seventh after the dressage phase and had been due to start the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course at 3.22pm this afternoon.

Kylie Roddy is another withdrawal; she and the Earl Grey Tea Party-Goers’ 17-year-old Carden Earl Grey lay 22nd overnight but will not run across country today.

Fiona Kashel has withdrawn her second ride, Frank Breach’s Creevagh Silver De Haar (equal 36th after dressage), after having a fall from WSF Carthago earlier today.

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

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‘I think the future is pretty exciting’: Austin O’Connor reflects on rising 36 places into top 15 at Tokyo Olympics

Gemma Redrup — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 14:50:09 +0000

Although it was a disappointing Tokyo Games for the Irish team in the Olympic eventing competition, Austin O’Connor fought on for an individual placing. And when he added just four faults in the final Olympic eventing showjumping round this afternoon (2 August) – around a course that caused a lot of penalties – he rose from 20th place after yesterday’s cross-country action, into eventual 13th.

Riding his own and The Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue, Austin kicked off his Tokyo campaign with a 38 dressage, jumped clear inside the time across country and then added four faults in both the first and second showjumping rounds. But as the jumping phases proved to be very influential, Colorado Blue was able to capitalise on his strengths, climbing 36 places on the leaderboard from the first phase.

Austin O’Connor reflects on his Olympic eventing showjumping rounds

“[Colorado Blue]’s a class horse, and it’s his first championship actually, so it’s quite a big deal,” Austin said after his final showjumping round. “I think the future is pretty exciting.”

Austin went onto explain what he thought of today’s showjumping tracks.

“The time was very tight, so it was sort of pedal to the metal – it was almost like a speed class. I think we were unlucky to have those rails down today, but I thought that, if we were going to go out of the competition, we might as well go down fighting.”

The Irish team finished in eighth place.

H&H’s Tokyo rider of the day: Austin O’Connor – ‘I was here to do a job and that was that’

Becky Murray — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 05:06:16 +0000

Austin O’Connor stepped up for Ireland, producing one of only six clears inside the time in the Olympic eventing cross-country at the Tokyo Games.

Originally the team’s alternate, Austin and Colorado Blue were swapped in before the dressage when Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua withdrew for “veterinary reasons”.

“I had great confidence; things can go wrong but I’ve never sat on a horse like him and I’ve been around a while. First and foremost he’s got that bit of class,” said Austin about the 12-year-old gelding he co-owns with the Salty Syndicate.

Austin “got stuck in” as he attacked Derek de Grazia’s course, and at the end of the phase he sits 20th individually on his dressage score of 38.

“I was a little bit down in the first minute but not dramatically. I think I just let him settle into a rhythm really and where I was able to gallop I let him travel,” he said.

“It all rode as it walked, except, ironically, the fence we went long at. That was probably my most uncomfortable — I just found the distance a little bit long coming over but to call it a problem would be a serious exaggeration.”

Commenting on being swapped in ahead of the dressage, Austin said looking at the form of Colorado Blue, the gelding had “every right” to be there.

“It’s something we’ve worked at for a long time. I’ve had owners keep the horse this length of time with this in mind. We did everything accordingly and thank god I proved that,” he said, but added he “parked” any feelings of having something to prove ahead of his round.

“I was here to do a job and that was that.”

The Irish team sits in eighth on 161. Earlier in the day Sam Watson and Flamenco picked up an unlucky 11 penalties for triggering a frangible pin, plus time penalties to finish on 47.30. Sarah Ennis added 37.60 to her dressage score.

Tokyo marks 47-year-old Austin O’Connor’s third Olympic appearance. He represented Ireland at the Sydney Games in 2000, and the 2008 Games in Beijing. In June he and Colorado Blue were 10th in the Bicton CCI4*-S.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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‘These sort of horses don’t just fall out the sky’: Austin O’Connor steps up to Irish side following teammate’s withdrawal

Lucy Elder — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:58:45 +0000

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the eye-catching grey Colorado Blue stepped into the breach following Cathal Daniels’ last-minute withdrawal from the Irish eventing team to finish the first phase at the Tokyo Olympics on a score of 38.

Tokyo is Austin’s first senior championship since 2017 and his first Olympic eventing appearance since Beijing 2008.

“These sort of horses don’t just fall out of the sky,” he said. “They’re hard to find, hard to keep right, to keep us right so there’s two elements. There isn’t just the athlete, there’s two athletes involved.”

Austin added he was disappointed with the test.

“The horse has been working really well,” he said. “His prep was good, everything was going well, I don’t quite know [why] I think he got a little bit shy in the ring in the trot.

“The changes are generally a lot better than that. He decided he thought he was seeing imaginary showjumps I think! But you know it’s done and we’ve got to look forward to Sunday and Monday.”

Austin heard he would be riding at 6pm the night before his test, following the withdrawal of Cathal Daniels and the mare Rioghan Rua, owing to “veterinary reasons”.

“I certainly wouldn’t be using [the call-up] as an excuse for being a bit disappointed today,” he said. “I felt very, very sorry for Cathal. Obviously I was here to compete and we’re all competitors, but we’ve all been in [Cathal’s] situation and it’s not nice.”

Reflecting on Colorado Blue’s character, he added: “He’s quite a laid back character, but he is a competitor. He’s got a great heart. He wants to do the job and he’s a pleasure to ride. So I think I probably slightly let him down today.”

Austin was followed into the arena by New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell, making his Olympic debut aboard Diachello. The pair scored 30.3, putting them in provisional 11th individually and the New Zealand team into sixth, ahead of the final rotation of team riders.

“I was really pleased on the whole,” said Jesse, adding the 11-year-old gelding is a “lovely horse”.

“He’s a horse who I think it’s going to just get better and better over the next few years. It’s a very difficult test, in terms of if you make a little mistake to then try and get those scores back it just comes up so fast. You’ve got no time to rebuild your score if you make a little mistake. I made a few little boo-boos, but on the whole, I’m really pleased.”

Speaking about what it is like to be on a team with Tim and Jonelle Price, he added: “I think everyone knows what a fantastic team they are. It’s a real honour to be here with them and I’ve sort of been taken under their wing.”

Britain holds the lead in the individual and team standings after the first day of eventing dressage, with Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class in provisional first place (23.6).

#SundaySchool: how to teach your horse to land on the correct leg

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:24:15 +0000

Irish event rider Austin O’Connor explains a simple exercise to help teach horses to land on the correct canter lead after a jump

Event rider Austin has represented Ireland at two Olympic Games and numerous senior championships. Based at Attington Stud, Oxfordshire, Austin enjoys coaching when he’s not producing his own string of young eventing stars.

Training the stars

Isazsa is a six-year-old mare by Zavall VDL. She’s a big-moving, extravagant horse and has a wonderful ability to shorten herself to a fence. She is super-careful, but her preference is always to land on the left lead. Her weakness is falling out through the left shoulder, so this makes it more difficult for her to land in balance on the right lead.

We work a lot on her straightness, both on the flat and when jumping. This exercise has helped hugely to improve her balance on landing and therefore prepare her for the next fence.

Landing on the incorrect lead is a problem that can affect every horse, from those starting out to ones at the top of their game. The quality and balance of the horse’s canter on the approach to the fence can have an impact on whether the horse can land and maintain their canter on the required lead. The rider’s balance can also play a part.

Tackling the issue

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

1. I use a simple jumping exercise with a single fence set on a 20-metre circle to help encourage horses to land on the correct lead. Start by placing a single fence on the circle with two ground poles set as tram lines on take-off and two more ground poles placed about five metres after landing (see diagram).

2. Jump the fence four or five times before changing the rein and repeating the exercise in the other direction.

3. The key to this exercise is not to focus on the horse landing on the correct leg. If they do land on the incorrect lead, I encourage them to maintain the counter-canter on the 20-metre circle and continue to the fence again. They will then most likely land on the correct lead next time.

The idea is the horse learns that landing on the incorrect lead is more difficult for them, so they start to work out for themselves that it is easier to land in balance and on the correct leg.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

#SundaySchool: the showjumping ‘gym’ with Holly Smith

The international showjumper talks us through this multi-fence workout which she uses with both her younger and more experienced horses

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

#SundaySchool: Imogen Murray on the bounce grid exercise

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Consider this…

Avoid throwing your weight to the inside or asking for too much inside bend. This will only make the horse fall in that direction and then have no choice but to rebalance and land on the opposite lead.
Repeating this exercise over time will help strengthen the horse and encourage him to respond to subtle, clear aids from the rider.
If, despite correct training, your horse still refuses to land on the correct leg, it might be worth getting him checked over to ensure he isn’t in any physical distress, which may be affecting his ability to land on the correct lead.
An added benefit of this exercise is that it helps to establish counter-canter and therefore straightness, as well as the balance
of the rider.

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Austin has caught the ride on Carlson 119, a 14-year-old advanced horse usually ridden by Amanda Beale Clement and owned by the Get Ready Syndicate.

“I’m lucky to be given the opportunity to ride a horse like him,” said Austin. “The main thing is not to irritate him, to make sure he’s happy, and that I don’t change his system. I’ve got to adapt to him, more than him adapt to me.

“He seems happy and confident, so I’m not going to change things instantly. It’s a case of keeping him confident and feeling, ‘I quite like this new guy on my back!’”

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