Olympic medallist Cian O’Connor joked yesterday that “unfortunately” he would not gain any advantage from last year’s Olympic showjumping fences at this week’s Millstreet International Horse Show.

Cian O’Connor is already giving indication of another successful partnership, notching up a double with his latest acquisition Walk Tall II on week seven of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

The weather wasn’t quite stable but it took more than the threat of biblical-style floods to deter Ireland’s equestrian community who braved tumultuous downpours to attend the opening day of the 139th Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

Cian O’Connor believes he can win gold for a second time at the Olympics.