O'Connor repeats doping denial

Olympic gold medal showjumper Cian O’Connor today denied his horses were doped with sedatives to cover-up evidence of abuse.

Mr O’Connor said there was “absolutely no way” horses were doped and sedatives were not used to calm horses that had been mistreated or suffered rapping.

“There was nothing sinister and there’s nothing to hide,” Mr O’Connor said.

Rapping, thought to be a common practice in equestrian sports, involves horses being hit across the legs in an attempt to force them to clear high fences.

It is believed horses can become severely sensitised after the abuse and sedatives are administered to calm the animal. The practice is outlawed by the governing bodies of the sport.

Dope tests have revealed Mr O’Connor’s horses Waterford Crystal and ABC Landliebe had traces of a sedative in their system while competing.

“I’m not going to throw my career away. I’m not into doping horses,” the Olympic champion said.

“People are putting out red herrings about me. I have been the most successful rider to come from nowhere to the top through hard work.

“Perhaps there are some jealous people out there.”

Both Mr O’Connor and Mr Sheeran totally refuted claims Waterford Crystal and ABC Landliebe suffered rapping.

James Sheeran, vet to the Olympic champion’s horses said his animal welfare and management was of the highest standard.

“Cian’s horse management is second to none,” Mr Sheeran said.

“He loves his horses and he is ultra-humane. He absolutely adores his horses and their welfare is not something that Cian has ever put in question.”

The rider’s victory at Athens in August was Ireland’s first-ever Olympic gold in an equestrian event.

Mr Sheeran said 10-year-old mare ABC Landliebe was given a sedative to treat back pain and not colic as had been reported. Waterford Crystal was treated with the same drug while going through hydro-therapy.

Mr O’Connor told RTE’s Morning Ireland he was dumbfounded by the situation but wanted to clear up the matter publicly.

The 24-year-old, who has featured in 36 Irish Nations Cup teams, said he would suspend all Olympic engagements until the outcome of the ‘B’ test.

Mr O’Connor said he was told of the positive result of the test on Waterford Crystal, by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) last Thursday.

He said it was the same day he received the final sanction for ABC Landliebe from the Rome Event.

The FEI should complete its tests on the ‘B’ sample from Waterford Crystal within a month.