Cian O’Connor and Jonathan Gordon off to flying start at five-star Aachen

IRISH riders were quick out of the blocks on the opening day of Aachen’s five-star fixture in Germany today (Wednesday), with Cian O’Connor claiming a victory while Jonathan Gordon finished second in another competition.

Photo: Peter Deckers, CEO Handwerkskammer Aachen, Dieter Philipp, president of HWK and president of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. Carl Meulenbergh, congratulating winner Cian O’Connor riding Be Gentle

London Olympic Bronze Medallist O’Connor was in unbeatable form in the opening Speed Class, finishing with over two seconds to spare with the 10-year-old mare Be Gentle, who is owned by his American pupil Lillie Keenan. Ukrainian rider Cassio Rivetti took runner-up spot with Beau Limit, while 22-year-old Jonathan Gordon from Co Mayo finished fourth with PSG Junior.

Gordon was back among the prizes in the evening Two Phase class, finishing as runner-up with Fellini 131 behind American World No.3 McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z.

Ireland is represented by eight riders in three disciplines at the German venue this weekend. The main highlight in the Show Jumping arena will be Sunday’s Aachen Grand Prix, which is part of the Rolex Grand Slam and worth a cool 1 Million Euro.

Ireland will field a full team in the Eventing Nations Cup which gets underway in Aachen on Friday, while Irish Dressage rider Judy  Reynolds continues her preparations for the Rio Olympics and competes in Aachen this weekend with Vancouver K and Zigal.