O’Connor wins German Trophy Class

IRISH Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor won the feature class at Norten Hardenburg in Germany tonight (Saturday) riding Beverley Widdowson’s 12 year old gelding Unique clear over two rounds.

Notching up the first Irish win of the weekend at the German show, the 33 year-old saw off a strong challenge by Albert Zoer of the Netherlands and the bay gelding Sam, but in the second round outpaced the Dutch combination by a third of a second to claim the 6250 euro Gothaer Trophy first prize.

Afterwards O’Connor said: “This was a great one to win, as it was the Saturday night feature class in front of a packed house. Unique is a wonderful horse and I was delighted with him through both rounds. The win is a great warm-up for me ahead of my appearance with the Irish Nations’ Cup team at St. Gallen in Switzerland next week, when I’ll be reunited with my Olympic horse Blue Loyd.”

Cork’s Shane Sweetnam finished tenth in the competition with Spy Coast Farm’s Cyklon, leaving one fence on the floor in the final round.