O’Connor holds back on competition plans

CIAN O’CONNOR has no immediate plans to compete despite being allowed to do so at national level.

The 25-year-old showjumper yesterday began a three-month ban imposed by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

A spokesman yesterday said the rider had just returned from Italy, where he finished on Sunday with a speed-class win on ABC Landliebe. The spokesman said O’Connor would not be lining out next Sunday, when the national grand prix league begins, adding “he would decide on an event-by-event basis.”

Some within the equestrian community feel O’Connor’s three-month suspension should also apply at a national level. However, the Equestrian Federation of Ireland says its jurisdiction only applies to international competitions.

It says nationally, the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) is the governing body. Last night, the SJAI said it had no plans to suspend O’Connor. However, chairman Charles Hanley said the issue would be discussed at the association’s next national executive meeting on April 26.