O’Connor stays silent as he gets on with the job
The Olympic champion is remaining resolutely tight-lipped on the issue of drugs and the bizarre events of the last week. He has received legal advice and will only make a statement, with his vet, on the medication given to his two horses after the “matter” is cleared up.
The Kill International Equestrian Centre off the N7 is just inside the Kildare border but it’s in the heart of horse country. It’s O’Connor’s home and he was among friends.
Competitors from across the country gathered yesterday for what is one of the premier events on the showjumping calendar.
As the blood part of the B sample taken from Waterford Crystal arrived in New York yesterday afternoon, O’Connor was bringing his mount, Echo Beach, around the centre’s impressive indoor arena. Two other horses he owns had earlier completed the course.
After being mobbed by reporters and cameras on Wednesday, his arrival on the second day at the event passed off with much less attention. He threw only a few glances at a couple of photographers dispatched to keep an eye on him.
After arriving at the centre in early afternoon and making his way down to the jump rings, it was all business for a man who says his main business is dealing horses. For the most part, he was deep in conversation with trainers and riders.
Positive drug tests, an apparent theft and burglary have not dimmed the enthusiasm of the man at the centre of international intrigue. “I still love what I’m doing,” he says.
