Cian O’Connor leads Irish domination in Dublin Horse Show opener

Irish riders have totally dominated the opening international class on the first day of the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS, filling all of the top five places.

Meath-based Cian O’Connor stormed to a stunning victory with Aramis 573 in the Speed Stakes, with the pair setting a blistering time of 51.92 seconds.

Photo: Cian O’Connor and Aramis 573 on their victory lap following the opening Speed Class at the 2016 Dublin Horse Show (Photo: Sonya Dempsey/Equestrian PR Services)

Three of Ireland’s Aga Khan squad filled to top three places with Bertram Allen taking runner-up spot with Quiet Easy 4 and Olympic-bound Greg Broderick in third with Zuidam.
The Irish domination was completed by long-time leaders Billy Twomey and Ardcolum Duke (ISH) in fourth, while another member of Friday’s Aga Khan squad, Darragh Kenny, finished fifth with Global van T Braunerthof.

Earlier Co Tyrone’s Peter Smyth was the winner of the first National competition of the show. He guided The Irish Sport Horse, Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick, to victory in the Horse Sport Ireland six-year-old qualifier.

The afternoon highlight at the RDS will be the Sport Ireland Classic, with almost €25,000 up for grabs.