Cian O’Connor on Olympic trail with Good Luck

Cian O’Connor continued to demonstrate the Olympic credentials of Good Luck on Saturday, the pair finishing fourth in the five-star grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

Ireland is on course to secure two places at Rio de Janeiro through Bertram Allen and Denis Lynch, but it is the prerogative of the Irish manager Robert Splaine as to who will make the trip to South America. The 10-year-old stallion is on many lips as a horse with the talent to secure O’Connor and Ireland another medal, after the Meath-based rider won bronze in London. The horse’s elevation over fences brings out gasps from audiences, as it did on Saturday, when O’Connor had to be at his best to stay in the saddle such was the height Good Luck produced over the water jump.

O’Connor was one of just four to overcome the tough opening round in the $380,000 contest, but lowered one in the second round and yesterday he noted how Good Luck, aka Luke, is at home over bigger obstacles.