NEWS AND SCHEDULE
20/12/10 CIAN CONCLUDES 2010 WITH TWO AMAZING VICTORIES AT LONDON OLYMPIA
As we see in the picture on the home page, a very jubilant Cian O'Connor following another great show in London. It has become somewhat of a favourite arena of Cian's as he always seems to win there.
Following Umberto's win in the Welcome Stakes he then went on to finish 2nd and 10th in two more classes. However the highlight of the week for Cian came on Saturday night when he and Splendor came out on top in a thrilling jump off.
Cian said afterwards: "This is one of the fastest jump off classes I've ever won. Olympia is a very special show and its wonderful atmosphere is created by the knowledgable public who pack the stands and quite simply love their jumping."
As we see in the picture on the home page, a very jubilant Cian O'Connor following another great show in London. It has become somewhat of a favourite arena of Cian's as he always seems to win there.
Cian said afterwards: "This is one of the fastest jump off classes I've ever won. Olympia is a very special show and its wonderful atmosphere is created by the knowledgable public who pack the stands and quite simply love their jumping."
Listen to Cian's Olympia interview by clicking HERE
16/12/10 UMBERTO PUTS CIAN IN FRONT ON OPENING DAY OF OLYMPIA
Cian today won the opening class of the five-star show in London Olympia, the Two-Phase, with 'Umberto', the gelding's second win in five days, having also given Cian success in the Geneva Derby last week. Cian said: "It's great to get your nose in front on the first day of Olympia. It gives you confidence for the competitions ahead."
For the Olympia report on Cian's win, click HERE
12/12/10 GREAT WEEKEND FOR CIAN AT GENEVA
Cian rounded off a terrific weekend at the 5 star World Cup show in Geneva with an 11th place on Splendor in the 1m60 Rolex World Cup competition, which was won by European Champion Kevin Staut.
Cian's big win of the week, though, was his victory with Declan McEvoy's gelding Umberto in the Geneva
Grande Chasse (Derby) on Saturday against a top international field. (Cian pictured left receiving his award).
Cian was also joint third in the Puissance on Sunday with Asturias, and was on the winning European international team with Larkhill Cruiser in the Credit Suisse competition, also on Saturday.
03/12/10 PARAIC GERAGHTY TO TAKE UP JOB AS TURKISH TEAM MANAGER
Cian today won the opening class of the five-star show in London Olympia, the Two-Phase, with 'Umberto', the gelding's second win in five days, having also given Cian success in the Geneva Derby last week. Cian said: "It's great to get your nose in front on the first day of Olympia. It gives you confidence for the competitions ahead."
For the Olympia report on Cian's win, click HERE
12/12/10 GREAT WEEKEND FOR CIAN AT GENEVA
Cian rounded off a terrific weekend at the 5 star World Cup show in Geneva with an 11th place on Splendor in the 1m60 Rolex World Cup competition, which was won by European Champion Kevin Staut.
Cian's big win of the week, though, was his victory with Declan McEvoy's gelding Umberto in the Geneva
Cian was also joint third in the Puissance on Sunday with Asturias, and was on the winning European international team with Larkhill Cruiser in the Credit Suisse competition, also on Saturday.
03/12/10 PARAIC GERAGHTY TO TAKE UP JOB AS TURKISH TEAM MANAGER
Horse Sport Ireland announced today (Friday) that Paraic Geraghty has accepted the position of Team Manager and Chef d'Equipe to the Turkish Show Jumping Squad. Geraghty has acted as advisor to Team Ireland Equestrian Show Jumping Manager Robert Splaine since the programme came under the remit of Horse Sport Ireland three years ago
Geraghty, who comes from Ballinasloe in Co. Galway, was nominated to HSI's High Performance management committee by Showjumping Ireland. He acted as chef d'equipe on Robert Splaine's behalf to a number of developmental teams, and in that capacity was there this year when they secured a Nations' Cup victory at Ypaja in Finland and a second place at Spruce Meadows in Canada.
Show Jumping Manager Robert Splaine said today (Thursday): "I will be very sorry to lose Paraic, as he was a source of accurate advice and straightforward, unbiased opinion over the years, as well as being a person with great experience in the sport. I wish him well in his endeavours with Turkey's elite show jumping squad. I believe his job will be to help them secure qualification for the 2012 Olympics."
Paraic Geraghty said: "I will be very sorry to leave the Irish show jumping squad, but this is one of those offers that come up once in a lifetime, and I thought it was a challenge I could not turn down. I will miss working with the Irish riders, who are top class and have produced some great victories, and I will miss working with Robert Splaine, who I believe has done a tremendous job with the Irish team and deserves great credit."
Cian commented afterwards: "Paraic has been involved in show jumping committees since I came on the scene 14 years ago. He’s always been a very straight talking, honest and fair horseman. Him and I have had more arguments and discussions about the sport in general over the last number of years, but all only in the best interest of the sport. I'll certainly be very sad to see him go, and I’m sure the other riders will who have worked with him. I wish him all the best in his new post."
READ IRISH INDEPENDENT ARTICLE ON LARKHILL CRUISER HERE
29/11/10 LARKHILL CRUISER ARRIVES AT KARLSWOOD
This week Cian added a very interesting string to his bow in securing a deal for the very successful Larkhill Cruiser (pictured below with John Floody - photo by Laurence Dunne). Larkhill Cruiser is a 9 year-old chestnut gelding by Cruising out 
of a Crosstown Dancer mare. Larkhill Cruiser has won 14 Grands Prix this season alone, mostly on the national circuit, and including the Premier Series at Balmoral and the international Grand Prix at Tattersalls. In September he became the only horse ever to win both the Derby and the Grand Prix at Cavan. All the wins were under the command of John Floody.
Cian said after the arrival of the gelding at his yard today: "I'm delighted to have purchased Larkhill Cruiser from Michael Smith and I'm looking forward to bringing him to the next level. If he tries half as much for me as he did for John then I'll be very happy!"
28/11/10 GOOD WEEKEND IN STOCKHOLM
Cian had a good weekend at Stockholm Show with a 5th place on Splendor in the Grand Prix on Sunday, making it clear to the jump off but incurring four faults. Splendor was double clear in the big class on the opening day, placing 4th, while Umberto took a 3rd and a 6th.
21/11/10 SPLENDOR DOUBLE CLEAR AT KILL
Splendor and Cian had a double clear in the national Grand Prix at Kill today, finishing 3rd. Cian said: "This was a great performance from Splendor, and is the perfect warm-up for Stockholm next weekend."
07/11/10 SPLENDOR AND ARABELLA DO WELL AT VERONA
Splendor gave Cian a clear round in the Italian Grand Prix at Verona, and had just one fence down in the World Cup class. Arabella jumped clear in every class she entered in the 1m50 section of the schedule, and finished 8th in the Accumulator. Cian said: "I was really pleased with the performance of both horses at what was a very competitive 5 star show."
23/10/10 ARABELLA JUMPS DOUBLE CLEAR AT CAEN
Arabella gave Cian a 6th place at the 4 star show in Caen with a double clear in the 1m45 Two Phase class. Cian said: The mare jumped just super. It was her first time at a show like this, and I'm really pleased with her."
22/10/10 SPLENDOR THIRD IN FRENCH GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER
Splendor gave Cian a double clear and a third place in the 1m50 Grand Prix Qualifier at the four-star show in Caen today. There were just seven double clear rounds achieved from the startlist of 47 riders and horses.
17/10/10 SPLENDOR SECOND IN CAVAN GRAND PRIX
Splendor and Cian got the perfect warm up today in Cavan ahead of departing for Caen in France this week. The pair jumped a smooth double clear to finish in second place.
Cian said afterwards: "I'm thrilled at how Splendor jumped today and I feel very confident in taking him to the four star show at Caen next week."
19/09/10 EVERYTHING THIRD IN CAVAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Everything and Cian placed 3rd in the prestigious 6&7 year-old P. Elliott-sponsored Cavan Championship today. This championship is one of the most sought-after competitions in the young horse calendar.
Horses must first qualify to come to Cavan and then only three of the 98 starters make it through to the FInal. Everything was 3rd in the opening day's qualifier and again in the Final. The horse jumped three clear rounds to finish in 3rd place overall.
Cian said: "I'm really thrilled with Everything tonight. I've had him since a 4 year-old and he has shown me that he would certainly cope very well at Grand Prix level in the future."
10/09/10 K CLUB LADY FIFTH IN MADRID GRAND PRIX
In their last major competition before the World Equestrian Games, Cian and K Club Lady jumped a superb double clear in the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid today and finished fifth in a starting field of 42, with ten combinations through to the jump off.
Cian said afterwards: "The mare as usual jumped class. She is in great form and we're now looking forward to the big challenge in Kentucky next month."
10/09/10 CIAN NARROWLY BEATEN IN SPANISH PUISSANCE
Attempting to better his equal first place at the Dublin Horse Show, Cian brought Noctumble Courcelle to the five-star show at Madrid for tonight's competition, and although one of only two to go clear through to the third jump-off, had to concede first place to Spain's Rutherford Latham when incurring four faults.
05/09/10 K CLUB LADY FINISHES 6TH IN GIJON GRAND PRIX
K Club Lady gave a super performance for Cian in today's Grand Prix at Gijon in Spain, with a single fence down and a time fault in the first round and a great clear in the second round. Cian said: "The mare jumped just great. This is a super build-up for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky."
03/09/10 SPLENDOR JUMPS CLEAR IN SPANISH NATIONS' CUP
Splendor gave Cian a superb second round clear in the Spanish Nations' Cup at Gijon today. The Irish team finished joint fifth with Saudi Arabia on 20 faults, but were just one fence behind the three teams that tied for second place. Cian said: " It was a tightly-fought competition, with only one fence separating a lot of teams at the top end of the scoreboard, and we were perhaps unlucky not have finished equal second instead of equal fifth. However, I am thrilled with Splendor's superb clear in the second round. This was his first ever 5 star Nations' Cup."
11/08/10 CIAN AND K CLUB LADY SELECTED FOR WEG
Cian said today: "I am absolutely thrilled to be named as part of the Irish Show Jumping Team to compete at WEG. It will be the biggest test to date for my new mare K Club Lady but I'm confident that we can deliver the goods.
"Our team is strong and if we can reproduce the form we all had when victorious in Aachen in July, then I believe we can become World Champions at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games."
07/08/10 CIAN JOINT FIRST IN DUBLIN PUISSANCE AND K CLUB LADY CLEAR IN AGA KHAN
Cian and K Club Lady contributed to Ireland's superb joint second place in the Aga Khan Trophy on Friday with a second round clear, while today Cian rode Noctambule Courcelle to joint first in the Puissance, with the wall at a massive 2m15.
Cian said: "I was delighted with today's joint first in the Puissance alongside Venezuela's very talented Pablo Barrios. It was a competition that of course I'd loved to have won outright, but in the end we clipped the wall on our very last attempt, as Pedro had done just before us, and it was an honour to share the podium with him.
"K Club Lady was fantastic in the Nations' Cup on Friday. We made two mistakes in the first round, but I knew we could do better and so we dug deep to produce a zero score on our second attempt, and that, added to clears from Denis and Billy, put us into joint second with the USA. Not a bad result at all, but most importantly it left Ireland in fourth place in the world in the Meydan League this year, one place better than last year."
"I was just a bit disappointed that we didn't deliver an outright victory in front of the great home crowd, but the Dutch were fighting for their lives to avoid relegation and they produced an incredible display of team jumping that on the day we simply couldn't equal.
27/07/10 CIAN AND K CLUB LADY SELECTED FOR AGA KHAN SQUAD
Cian and K Club Lady have been selected for the Aga Khan squad at the Dublin Horse Show on Friday August 6. Show jumping manager Robert Splaine will select his team of four on Thursday night.
The squad is:
Shane Breen; Carmena Z
Dermott Lennon; Hallmark Elite
Denis Lynch; Nabab’s Son
Cian O’Connor; K Club Lady
Billy Twomey; Tinka’s Serenade
15/07/10 K CLUB LADY 'S DOUBLE CLEAR HELPS IRELAND WIN AACHEN NATIONS CUP
A delighted Cian rode a lap of honour tonight with Billy Twomey, Dermott Lennon and Denis Lynch after K Club Lady produced a superlative double clear in Aachen to help Ireland win the German Nations' Cup 
for the first time in seven years.
Cian said from Aachen tonight: "It was marvellous to see K Club Lady come up to one of the biggest competitions in the world and produce a double clear. She is an amazing mare and getting better every time.
"This was a wonderful team effort tonight, and Billy, Dermott , Denis and I went into this full of determination. I think it's also great for Robert Splaine, who has been such a great chef d'equipe right through the series. It doesn't get much better than this tonight, I can tell you."
11/07/10 K CLUB LADY SELECTED FOR AACHEN NATIONS' CUP SQUAD
Irish show jumping manager Robert Splaine today confirmed his squad for the important Aachen Nations' Cup in Germany next Thursday, the sixth leg in the Meydan Series, and K Club Lady is one of the five selected.
The squad will be:
Shane Breen - World Cruise
Dermott Lennon - Hallmark Elite
Denis Lynch - Lantinus
Cian O’Connor - K Club Lady
Billy Twomey - Je T’aime Flamenco or Tinka’s Serenade
07/06/10 K CLUB LADY TAKES 2ND PLACE IN ST. GALLEN GRAND PRIX
Cian and Dr. Michael Smurfit's mare 'K Club Lady' finished 2nd in the Swiss Grand Prix at St.Gallen on Sunday, jumping one of only two double clears from a starting list of 47.
07/06/10 K CLUB LADY TAKES 2ND PLACE IN ST. GALLEN GRAND PRIX
Cian said after the competition: " I am delighted with the mare and delighted for the owner, as this is his first show jumper."
With 12 through to the second phase of the competition, K Club Lady was first to go of the three clear rounds and finished on a zero score, but was eventually beaten on time by Germany's Carsten-Otto Nagel with 'Corradina'.
Cian added: "After a less than perfect first round in the Nations' Cup on Friday it was great to show that the mare can produce a double clear at this level, which is really new to her. She's as careful as a kitten, but has the heart of a lion, and in my opinion is one of the best vertical jumpers around. I thought her performance today was brilliant."
28/05/10 COMPLETE TAKES TWO TOP FIVE PLACES IN ROME
28/05/10 K CLUB LADY GOES CLEAR IN HER FIRST NATIONS' CUP
Ireland finished equal third in today's Nations' Cup of Rome, with K Club Lady making a big contribution to the team score with a clear and a four on her debut performance at this level.
Cian said: "I am overjoyed with her. I've only had the mare eight weeks, and she has proved to be a real fighter. She had to dig deep in the second round, and she did just that, delivering a foot perfect clear at a time when the team really needed it."
Ireland finished on 12 faults with Spain,and the Nations' Cup was won by France on four faults, with Britain second on eight. The other members of the Irish team were Billy Twomey (0/4), Cameron Hanley (8/0) and Darragh Kenny (4/8)
20/05/10 K CLUB LADY TO MAKE HER NATIONS' CUP DEBUT
Today Robert Splaine, chef d'equipe, announced the squad to represent Ireland in the 2nd leg of the Meydan Nations Cup series which will take place on Friday week, May 28, in Rome. Cian and K Club Lady are included in the selection.
Cian has had some very good results with the mare, most notably jumping double clear and finishing fourth in the 1m50 class at the Global Tour in Valencia. That they have been selected already to represent their country in a Nations' Cup is a great tribute, given that Cian has only been riding the horse for seven weeks.
On his selection Cian said: "I'm delighted to have got the call up for Rome. The Meydan Series is the top level of show jumping and although it's a tough ask I feel we will be ready for the challenge."
The other squad members include Capt. David O'Brien, Cameron Hanley, Billy Twomey and Darragh Kenny.
On his selection Cian said: "I'm delighted to have got the call up for Rome. The Meydan Series is the top level of show jumping and although it's a tough ask I feel we will be ready for the challenge."
The other squad members include Capt. David O'Brien, Cameron Hanley, Billy Twomey and Darragh Kenny.
17/05/10 IRISH TEAM BATTLE WELL TO FINISH 6th IN LA BAULE
Despite a super performance from Shane Breen and Carmena Z and two solid rounds from Cameron Hanley, the Irish team finished just outside Robert Splaine’s goal of a mid division finish last week. It was quite a low scoring Nations' Cup, which is always difficult as every fence can be extremely costly. Darragh Kenny made his Super League debut and rode a great second round for four faults. The next leg of the series is in Rome on Friday May 28th.
La Baule Irish team scores:
Shane Breen - Carmena Z 0.00/0.00
Niall Talbot - Tequi d'I 8.00/Retd
Darragh Kenny - Obelix 8.00/4.00
Cameron Hanley - Southwind VDL 0.00/4.00
CIAN RECEIVES IRISH FIELD SENIOR SHOW JUMPER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Cian says: "It's a real honour to receive this award and to have myself included with the great historical names that are already on the trophy.
"Much of the credit must go to my owners and horses that helped me secure major international results in 2009."
7/05/10 K CLUB LADY TAKES FOURTH AT GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR SHOW
Cian's new mare K Club Lady is going from strength to strength at every outing and had a fourth place in the 1m50 jump off at the Global Champions Tour show in Valencia tonight, jumping a double clear. Cian said: "I'm delighted with the mare. She has great character and is really careful."
The pair will line out on Saturday for the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at 3pm Irish time.
25/04/10 COMPLETE AND K CLUB LADY FEATURE AT HAGEN
At CSI3* Hagen, Cian and K Club Lady had an eighth place in the Grand Prix, one of only six clears in the first round of 46 starters. Cian said: "I'm very happy with the new mare. She's had two starts in international Grands Prix with me so far, and she's been placed in both."
On Friday Complete gave Cian a fourth place in the main speed class.
18/04/10 K CLUB LADY MAKES GRAND PRIX DEBUT AT LUMMEN
Cian had a fantastic 3rd place today with his new mare K Club Lady when competing in the Lummen 1m50 Grand Prix. The mare jumped a double clear, one of only three in the class, and Cian said afterwards he was 'absolutely over the moon - she jumped amazing'. See video HERE
Cian also had a win with Splendor in Saturday's 1m40 class. He said: "I jumped him on Friday, just training, but decided to have a cut today. Glad I did!"
04/04/10 GREAT DAY FOR KARLSWOOD AT KILKENNY
It was a great day for the Karlswood team today in the tenth leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour at Warrington in Kilkenny, with three horses in the top eight. Complete took his third win of the series, Cian's new horse K Club Lady was 6th, and PS I Love You with Mark Kinsella was 8th.
Cian said after the show: "Complete was in great form and this win today really sets him up for international duty - we head off to Lummen in ten days' time. I was also tremendously pleased with K Club Lady. I only acquired the ride on her last week and she jumped a brilliant double clear to finish 6th. Mark Kinsella was out on his first show of the season and had a clear and a 4, to finish 8th with PS I Love You.
It was a great day for the team."
21/03/10 CIAN'S LOOKING FOR A NEW YARD GROOM
If you think you'd fit the bill email Cian's office here.
14/03/10 CIAN AND COMPLETE WIN AGAIN IN HSI CHIPPISON LEAGUE
From a large field of 72, Cian and Complete came out on top in what was a very competitive jump off at Kill. Cian said: "The time allowed was short in the first round and this proved a difficulty for many combinations. I think however a short time allowed has become part of international jumping and introducing it at this stage will prove to be a major benefit to the riders. In the jump off Complete was fantastic and as he's got such a big stride, I feel I'm not even pushing him, and he's winning these classes very much within himself."
28/02/10 CIAN HAS A ONE-TWO AT CAVAN
Cian took first and second place in the Grand Prix at Cavan on Sunday. Competing in the HSI Chippison Spring Tour series, Complete gave him a win with a double clear, closely followed by the runner-up place on Splendor.
Cian said afterwards: "This is a great series, and provides experience to younger riders in competing at Grand Prix level. I was delighted with both horses here today. It's Splendor's first outing in six weeks, while Complete is just back from a 12 week break. I look forward to competing in other legs of this tour when I am in Ireland."
21/01/10 SPLENDOR WINS AT FIRST DAY OF LEIPZIG
On Thursday Cian won the opening class at the five star World Cup show in Leipzig with Splendor, giving him his sixth international win in a four week period. You can hear an interview with Cian at Leipzig on www.sportonhorses.com by clicking HERE
17/01/10 TRIUMPH FOR CIAN AND RANCORRADO IN BASEL GRAND PRIX
On Sunday Cian scored yet another Grand Prix win, this time at Basel in Switzerland with Rancorrado. One of just four from a starting list of 45 to make it through to the jump-off, Rancorrado did not put a foot wrong and came home with just a time fault. The other three finalists all incurred jumping penalties.
Cian said afterwards: "To win here is just fantastic. Show jumping can be all about confidence, like a football team that wins one match and then goes on a roll. So my Grand Prix win at OIympia in December with Rancorrado gave me that confidence, and made today's win possible. It's also down to a lot of hard work from a lot of people, and of course one amazingly talented horse."
16/01/10 GOOD WEEKEND AT BASEL
16/01/10 GOOD WEEKEND AT BASEL
Cian and his horses have been having a good weekend at Basel in Switzerland, with a win in Friday's Speed Class with Irish Independent Echo Beach and a second place with Splendour in the opening class on Thursday. Tonight he incurred one time fault with Splendour in the big jump-off class. Cian said: "I was second to go, and he jumped amazingly. I was very happy with him, picking up just a single time fault."
For the 2009 News Archive, click HERE
We'll be bringing you regular updates on Cian's shows and results, and some words from him after each event.
Above is his provisional Show Schedule until December, 2010.
Below is the news from 2010.
For the 2009 News Archive, click HERE
