CIAN O'Connor today (Saturday) took fifth place in the Arab League World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix in Dubai with his Irish-bred gelding, 'Larkhill Cruiser', and this morning also added a comfortable win in the Accumulator competition with another Irish-bred horse, the eight year-old mare 'Arabella'.

Together with his first place in Friday's Grand Prix Qualifier, also with 'Larkhill Cruiser', the points gave the 31 year-old Meath rider Dubai's Leading Rider Award for the United Arab Emirates show, which finished this afternoon.

Afterwards O'Connor said: "It was a great start here in Dubai to have two wins and take the Leading Rider title. Also I was extremely happy with the way 'Splendor' jumped, with my Egyptian pupil Ahmed Tolba taking second place in the Grand Prix. So, a perfect start to the Gulf Tour."

Dubai's Grand Prix was won by Saudi Arabia's World Equestrian Games Silver Medallist Abdullah Al-Sharbatli on 'Columbia 11'.

Cian O'Connor