Cian O'ConnorOlympian
🇮🇪 Ireland · born 1979
About Cian O'Connor
Cian O'Connor, born in 1979, is an accomplished showjumping rider from Ireland. At 17, he made his international debut for Ireland in Dunkirk, France, and has been a key figure in Irish equestrian teams for decades. O'Connor won bronze in the individual event at the London 2012 Olympics riding Blue Loyd 12. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, partnered with Kilkenny, he finished seventh individually but withdrew from the team event due to the horse's health issue. At the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg, he claimed team gold and individual bronze with Good Luck. He secured four victories in the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show in 2004, 2012, 2015, and 2022. Leading Karlswood Stables in County Meath, he balances roles as competitor and mentor, engaged in coaching and horse production. In 2004, O'Connor was stripped of an Olympic gold medal after a doping infraction with Waterford Crystal. His career showcases resilience and excellence, strengthening Ireland's presence in international showjumping.
Championship record
Athens 2004initially first, later disqualified · Waterford CrystalLondon 2012individual bronze · Blue Loyd 12Rio de Janeiro 2016did not competeTokyo 20207th individual, withdrew from team · Kilkenny
| Year | Championship | Result | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | World Championships · Herning | 4th team↗ | C Vier 2 |
| 2020 | Olympic Games · Tokyo | 7th individual, withdrew from team↗ | Kilkenny |
| 2018 | World Equestrian Games · Tryon | team bronze↗ | Good Luck |
| 2017 | European Championships · Gothenburg | team gold, individual bronze↗ | Good Luck |
| 2016 | Olympic Games · Rio de Janeiro | did not compete↗ | — |
| 2012 | Olympic Games · London | individual bronze↗ | Blue Loyd 12 |
| 2004 | Olympic Games · Athens | initially first, later disqualified↗ | Waterford Crystal |
One row per championship appearance, as reported by the cited sources.
Horses
| Horse | Years | Together |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Loyd 12 | 2012 | Won individual bronze at the London 2012 Olympics |
| Good Luck | 2017 | Secured team gold and individual bronze at the 2017 European Championships |
| Kilkenny | 2020-2021 | Placed seventh individually at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics |
| Waterford Crystal | 2004 | Initially won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, later rescinded. |
| Blue Loyd | 2012 | Won Bronze Medal in Individual Jumping at the London Olympics |
| C Vier 2 | 2022 | Contributed to the fourth-place team finish at the 2022 World Championships in Herning. |
Linked horses have their own cited EquiWiki profile.
Watch Cian O'Connor ride — 8 clips
Sources
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