Cian O’Connor

Cian O’Connor is an Irish Olympic medalist and international show jumper, known for his consistent performance and dedication to equestrian sport. After making his first Nations Cup appearance for Ireland in 1998, Cian O’Connor went on to establish himself as an Irish Olympic medalist and international show jumper, accumulating an impressive 165 appearances for the national team throughout his illustrious career. His early achievements included winning the prestigious Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show in 2004. O’Connor continued his ascent in the sport with a 1st Place finish in the Grand Prix at CSI4 Chateau De Chantilly in 2008, alongside a 4th Place in the Grand Prix at CSIO5 Real Club De Polo Barcelona the same year.

Beyond his extensive competitive record across four Olympic Games, four World Championships, and six European Championships, O’Connor is also recognized as an international horse producer and coach. He operates Karlswood, a high-performance center in County Meath, which focuses on coaching, mentoring, and strategic advice for aspiring show jumpers, fostering future talent in the sport. His recent competitive achievements include a 4th Place in the Longines League of Nations™ Final at CSIO5 Longines League of Nations in 2024, and securing the WEF 8 Leading Irish Rider Award at the Wellington Equestrian Festival in 2025, a year that also saw Bentley De Sury WIN the CSI5 World Cup Qualifier Ocala under his guidance.