O’Connor under ‘no pressure’

CIAN O’CONNOR gave an unequivocal “no” yesterday when asked if he would be under any undue pressure going into today’s nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

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.