Cian O’Connor claims victory in Samorin four-star Grand Prix with PSG Final – McMahon and Lynch feature in Helsinki World Cup

Just three week’s after helping the Irish team to victory and Olympic qualification at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Cian O’Connor and PSG Final have today (Sunday) taken a superb win in the four-star Grand Prix at Samorin in Slovakia.

Cian O’Connor and PSG Final on their way to victory in the Samorin Grand Prix

One of 12 combinations who made it through to the jump-off, they set what proved to be an unbeatable clear in 38.13 seconds when third to go against the clock. American rider Wilton Porter was O’Connor’s nearest challenger when finishing as runner up with C Hunter in 38.95, while Switzerland’s Paul Estermann finished third with Lord Pepsi in 39.15. The Irish-bred Sumas Zorro took fourth place with Sameh El Dahan (EGY).

Speaking afterwards, Cian O’Connor was thrilled to secure what was his first international win with this particular horse:

“I’m so happy with Charlie (PSG Final) today. It’s been a huge year for us with every task I asked of this special 9-year-old being his first time. All year I tried to keep him for the team and never went fast in individual classes as I really wanted Olympic qualification more than anything else for Team Ireland. This was the first real opportunity here I had to go against the clock on him and he answered every question and more. It also marks our first international Grand Prix victory together so I’m really excited about our future together. Full credit as always must go to my staff particularly my groom Mie and all my Karlswood team.”

It was also a good afternoon for Irish riders at Helsinki in Finland which was playing host to the second leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Series.

Co Clare’s Eoin McMahon recorded an impressive sixth place finish with Chacon 2 when finishing with just one fence down in the jump-off. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch also collected some valuable World Cup points when finishing in equal eighth place with GC Chopin’s Bushi in a competition which was won by Britain’s Robert Whitaker with Catwalk IV.

At Sentower Park in Belgium, Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan claimed an excellent win in the two-star Grand Prix with Essenar High Hopes, while Jessica Burke also took fifth place for Ireland with Express Trend (ISH). At Vilamoura in Portugal, Harry Marshall claimed a runner-up finish with Flambeau in the three-star Grand Prix.

In Eventing, Ireland’s Lucca Stubington won the CCI 2*-L class at Bicton International Horse Trials in Great Britain with Quingenti when finishing on on their Dressage score of 30.2 penalties.