O’Connor under ‘no pressure’
The 25-year-old goes under the spotlight in his first major event on home soil since the end of his three-month suspension with the whiff of controversy still in the air. However, he says he will be on the scent of only one thing ... winning.
“The pressure to win never differs and I will be giving my best as always. It is a great honour to ride for your country, especially in front of your home crowd and the reception I received this week was tremendous, as expected.” He rejected that the latest controversy over Jessica Kürten’s much-publicised withdrawal from the team will prove a distraction. Kürten’s decision came after she said she would never ride with O’Connor following his Olympic troubles and, more recently, over disaffection with the selection process. O’Connor, however, said he has tried to focus on his own preparations.
“This week, I have been planning my own show and I am just trying to do as well as I can. I don’t think this matter concerns me,” he said.
Some people privately questioned the wisdom of naming O’Connor on the team, saying his three-month suspension would affect the performance of both rider and his horse Waterford Crystal. Yesterday, he dismissed this notion.
“I have been competing on the national circuit, which has ensured I am in form, as proved in Hickstead last week where I jumped a clear round. I have earned my place for selection like everyone else. It wasn’t my intention to jump in grand prix during the summer, but I was told I had to if I was to be considered for the team at the end of my suspension. I had a double clear in Omagh and Blessington. So, the same criteria applies to me as to others,” said O’Connor, who is based in Meath.
As for his equally-important equine partner in today’s competition. “Waterford Crystal’s in great shape. I jumped him in a schooling class here yesterday and he jumped clear. He’s fantastic.”
The importance of repeating or at least coming close to - last year’s victory cannot be underestimated, with Ireland propping up the Samsung Nations Cup Super League.
On the positive side, Ireland’s 11.5 points puts them just 0.5pts behind the Netherlands and a further 0.5pts adrift of Belgium. On the negative side, just two more rounds remain - Aachen in Germany and the final in Barcelona, where double points are on offer - and with the last team relegated, the outlook is as gloomy as a wet Irish day. Despite the slim margin separating the bottom three, O’Connor says a good performance today is imperative.
“A top three is essential. It would be unrealistic to expect to stay in the Super League if we get anything less,” he said, “as it will be very difficult to do it in Aachen and Barcelona.
He also said his experience of French course builder Frederic Cottier this week had led him to believe the course today will be big, requiring bold jumping. Speaking after yesterday’s opening international class, he said: “The power and speed was difficult. There were only a handful of double clears, so, I expect a big track in the nations cup, which will suit us.”
While O’Connor and the rest of the Irish team - Billy Twomey, Capt Shane Carey and Clem McMahon - engage in the relegation battle, Germany will be hoping to consolidate their narrow lead at the other end of the league. On 31 points, they field the team - Ulrich Kirchhoff, Thomas Muhlbauer, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst and Rene Tebbel - that did the job in Hickstead last week and are, understandably favourites. You shouldn’t be in a rush to put your money on them, however, as the Americans will be determined to avenge last week’s defeat and lie just 2.5 points adrift of the Germans.
Despite losing McLain Ward to a broken collarbone at Hickstead last week, they remain confident, and claimed their second Dublin win yesterday as Jeffrey Welles came out tops in the Power and Speed with one of only two double clears. The resurgent British, third in the league, can never be dismissed. The Swiss, leading the league going into Hickstead, will try to put their British outing behind them - incurring 52 faults - and aim to make it back to the pinnacle.
