Cian O’Connor’s Birmingham success inspired by his late mother

Cian O’Connor has said his victory in the Leading Show Jumper of the Year competition in Birmingham was inspired by his mother, who died two years ago as he competed at the British fixture.

Dedicating the win on Sunday night at the Horse of the Year Show to his mother Louise Mullen, the Olympic bronze medallist said afterwards: “I was going for a walk this morning, and I thought back to my last time here two years ago and I had to leave here after the second day, because I got the very sad news that my mum had passed away.

“My mum was always the type of person who would do anything for you and I just thought I am going to win that grand prix tonight and, if I do, I will dedicate it to my mum. There are certain shows that you want to go well at during the year and this is one of them.