CIAN O'Connor scored Ireland's first international show jumping victory of 2011 when taking a comfortable win in the Dubai Grand Prix Qualifier today (Friday) in the United Arab Emirates.

The 31 year-old Meath rider romped home with two seconds in hand on his recently acquired Irish-bred gelding 'Larkhill Cruiser', seeing off a challenge from Syrian challenger Ahmed Hamcho.

Dubai's Grand Prix is also its World Cup Qualifier, and O'Connor should now be in a favourable starting position for the competition, which takes place on Saturday afternoon.
 

Cian O'Connor