CIAN O'Connor is the first Irish international rider out of the gate for 2011, with an entry in the three-star Arab World Cup League in Dubai this weekend.

Thirty-one year-old O'Connor will be campaigning two Irish-bred horses in the United Arab Emirates from today (Thursday) - his recently acquired Cruising gelding 'Larkhill Cruiser', and the bay mare 'Arabella', which he joint-owns with Kilkenny breeder Mary Hughes.

At Zuidbroek in the Netherlands, meanwhile, 19 year-old Conor Drain continues with his Young Rider career in continental Europe, fielding three horses at the three-star venue.
 

Cian O'Connor