Cian O’Connor: The tide always turns — and you must be ready when it does

All experiences, good and bad, mould us to be the people we are

Cian O'Connor on his way to victory with Good Luck in the World Cup qualifier at Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida, on Saturday, March 21, 2015.

I grew up in a house with three ladies; my mum and my two sisters Susanna and Pippa. I was always very close to both my sisters, Pippa had a little bit of interest in horses when she was younger as well. She used to ride out with me and Susanna. Susanna was actually the best at horses in the family when we started off riding when we were younger everyone said that she sat the best, she was much more elegant on the saddle than I was! It was certainly different being the only male in the household, but we all got on very, very well.

We were a very close-knit family. We spent a lot of time with my mum’s parents, Karl and Doreen. My earliest memory is the love our grandparents had for us, particularly my grandmother Doreen who used to always spoil me a little more than the rest!