Only one thing on O’Connor’s mind - winning the Nations Cup
Ireland are eighth, or third last, in the league, and in a relegation battle, but also need to be among the top seven to qualify for the €2m final in Barcelona (Oct 9-12).
Throw into the mix that the riders also have one eye on making the squad for the upcoming World Equestrian Games (WEG) and you have the ingredients for a dish to savour.
“It is the Aga Khan. We want to win it and everyone is revved up for that. If we achieve our aim, that will put things right. It’s all about winning,” said O’Connor, who was last night selected with Quidam’s Cherie as one of the four-strong team by manager Robert Splaine.
It is no surprise to see Darragh Kenny (Imothep) on the list after Splaine drafted the Offaly rider into the squad in place of Billy Twomey on Wednesday. Teenage sensation Bertram Allen (Molly Malone V) also gets the nod, with former world champion Dermott Lennon (Loughview Lou Lou) the anchor, and Denis Lynch on the sidelines.
Ireland is vying for points today with the two countries below it, Ukraine and Britain, and the two countries above, Sweden and Germany, who know second place will be enough to draw level with current leaders France and the Netherlands. Ireland were yesterday drawn second to go in the eight-nation contest and O’Connor says the team is full of determination.
“It is the dream of every young show jumper to represent Ireland at the RDS,” said O’Connor. “Take Bertram, how talented he is and successful he has been, you’re guaranteed he’ll be trying his best. Darragh Kenny is on fire and on a high. Myself and Dermott Lennon have been preparing all summer for this and if being up for it or motivated counts for anything, we are streets ahead.
“Sure, there are good teams here, but the Irish really want to please the home crowd. All the horses have been jumping well this week and we are conscious that our performance will have repercussions in terms of the league, the final and the World Equestrian Games. The only person we need to beat is the course builder. Jump clear rounds and we will win. Anything can go wrong in show jumping, but I think it will be a special day for Ireland.”
Like the others, O’Connor is aiming for a place on the squad for WEG, where Splaine’s main goal is to secure qualification for the Rio Olympics.
“I’ve jumped on three nations cups this year and she has been the best score in two of those, at Rotterdam and La Baule. She is only nine and I am looking forward to jumping Sunday’s grand prix, before I sit down with Robert and discuss anything.
“But we need to be going to WEG to win a medal. I’ve no interest in going to make up the numbers.”
It’s understandable that an athlete of O’Connor’s calibre would only visualise victory in today’s competition, but a minimum requirement would be to book a place in the final.
In terms of relegation, the Federation Equestre International operates a rather complicated system. Here is how it will determine the make up of next year’s 10-country Furusiyya Division 1: The European teams placing 1-3 in the Barcelona final, the Div 2 winner, as well as the runner-up, once it finishes in the top eight at the final; plus the countries in descending order in the Div 1 standings.
However, the FEI says its “Jumping Committee may reduce the number of teams in Division 1 in 2015 if necessary, based on the experience obtained in 2014”.
On top of that the countries that gain promotion from Div 2 can opt to turn down the opportunity of a place in Div 1.
Meanwhile, the Irish riders, having won the opening two international classes on Wednesday, were boosting morale again yesterday. Michael Duffy ensured it was as you were when racing to victory in the Speed Derby. The Galway rider and Dermot Forde’s Westland Ruby had placed third behind winner Cameron Hanley aboard Newton du Haut Bois in Wednesday’s show opener, but he had almost two seconds advantage over the Mayo man yesterday, with Capt Michael Kelly and Mo Chroi in third place.
US-based Conor Swail (Lansdowne) and Bertram Allen (Romanov) came close to continuing the trend in the Serpentine Speed Stakes, but had to settle for the runner-up position and third, respectively, with American Kent Farrington (Blue Angel) proving the spoiler.
Meanwhile, 150 of Ireland’s leading equestrians were at the French ambassador’s residence last night to officially launch Team Ireland’s participation in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will take place in Normandy on Aug 23 to Sept 7.
The event was hosted by His Excellency Jean-Pierre Thebault and his wife Aurore, along with Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall.
* Three Irish-bred horses have been named on the British eventing team for the forthcoming World Equestrian Games.
Wild Lone, ridden by Harry Meade, is a 13-year-old Irish Draught sport horse, by Doranstown Hallo, out of a mare by Robertstown Boy.
Zara Phillips rides High Kingdom, by Master Imp, out of High Dolly, said to be by Chair Lift out of a Prefairy mare.
Annie Clover, ridden by Nicola Wilson, is a 10-year-old brown mare. Sired by the Hannovarian Newmarket Venture, she is out of the Clover Hill dam, Kilderry Clover.
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