Austin O’Connor cemented his position among the Irish eventing greats with a magnificent runner-up finish at the five-star Defender Burghley Horse Trials this afternoon.
Multiple Olympic Games appearances, multiple Badminton podiums and Maryland winner – now add a Burghley second to the resume and the Corkman, though he might not admit it himself, is one of the best to ever do it from these shores.
Of course, he is ably assisted by Colorado Blue or ‘Salty’, the evergreen grey bred in Co. Limerick.
Typically, the Corkman credited ‘Salty’ for the result, before outlining the significance of the result – the first podium finish at Burghley for an Irish athlete since 1963.
He said: “There was pressure out there, and the biggest problem was he was too fresh. I couldn’t hold one side of him, which is just an amazing complaint.
“Normally I’d give him a bit of leg and ride him into the bridle but today he was pulling my arms out. We had one rail but, hey, what a horse!
“It’s been an amazing experience this week. The Badmintons and Burghleys, they’re the biggest and most iconic events in the world. It’s what I dreamt of growing up, and to be here on the podium is amazing.”
O’Connor and Colorado Blue trailed eventual winner Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo by 6.2 penalties coming into today and in truth, the rail down for four faults eased pressure on Canter. O’Connor finished on a total of 32.6.
Canter came home clear with 1.2 time penalties to secure the victory by nine on a total of 23.6.
Britain’s Harry Meade finished third and fourth on a pair of Irish Sport Horses, Cavalier Crystal and Annaghmore Valoner.
O’Connor also finished in 27th with 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Sixmilewater, another very satisfying result, with Sam Watson and Ballynwety Rocketman (ISH) finishing an excellent 13th and Lucy Latta and former Badminton runner-up RCA Patron Saint in 22nd position.