O’Connor nabs second Irish win at Hickstead

SHOW jumper Cian O’Connor gave Ireland their second win at Hickstead, when racing to victory on Saturday in the Sky Sports Speed Classic.

The Meath-based rider had more than two-seconds to spare after crossing the line with the 11-year-old mare Zanoubia in the one-round competition.

Shane Breen, who had won Thursday’s evening Grand Prix, took third place in yesterday’s speed competition with the same horse, Mullaghdrin Gold Rain, while Cameron Hanley slotted Charming Fox into fourth.

O’Connor’s win came as Ireland remain bottom of the Samsung Super League following Friday’s nations cup at the English venue.

Jessica Kürten, who refuses to ride for her country while Robert Splaine is team manger, jumped a double clear with Castle Forbes Libertina to place fourth in the 1.60m grand prix at La Coruna, Spain, yesterday. Earlier, the German-based Antrim woman finished second in a speed and handiness competition with Castle Forbes Maike.

In Ascona, Switzerland, Billy Twomey had to play second fiddle to Markus Fuchs (Royal Charmer) for the second time, when runner-up on Anastasia III in a 1.50m accumulator.

On Friday, the Cork man and Luidam — who is rapidly returning to form following a long, injury-induced lay-off — came home behind Fuchs, riding Nirmette, in a 1.50m class.

On the domestic front, Captain Shane Carey steered Hands Free to victory in the Boswell Equestrian Grand Prix in Wicklow yesterday.

Francis Connors continues to lead the Boswell Equestrian Grand Prix League on 76 points, with Conor Swail second on 58, having placed sixth on Alaska.

At the three-star dressage show in Fritzens, Austria, Munich-based Irish rider Anna Merveldt yesterday won the Grand Prix consolation class with the James Connor owned Lafitte.