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.”