O’Connor denies interfering in Nations Cup team selection

Showjumper Cian O'Connor has rejected allegations that he interfered in the selection process for the Irish team in the Nations Cup event at the Dublin Horse Show.

The accusation was made by Tom Slattery, who resigned from the Irish team's selection committee this week.

He claimed O'Connor had threatened not to jump if certain other members were not included in the team.

Two other showjumpers - Harry Marshall and Jessica Kuerten - have also refused to compete alongside the controversial rider, who was stripped of his Olympic gold medal when his horse failed a drugs test in Athens last year.

Responding to the allegation today, O'Connor said he offered to resign from the team in the interests of Irish showjumping, but this was rejected by the Equestrian Federation of Ireland.

"There are certain individuals who are absolutely sick that I am back," he added. "They thought I was dead and buried after the Olympic saga and it aggrieves them to see that I'm back on the Irish team.

"I have to jump my way on the team the same as everybody else, which I have done."