WHEN Austin O’Connor landed Ireland’s first five-star event win for almost six decades, he famously remarked, “People like me, we’re not supposed to win five-stars”. For those who have followed Austin’s career however, this fully deserved victory was always on the cards and was not only an immense personal triumph, but it crowned the entire season and was a boost to Ireland’s international eventing community as a whole.

O’Connor’s victory in Fair Hill aside, there was plenty more to celebrate. Armed with the knowledge that he had the Olympic qualification safely in the bag, acting high performance coach Dag Albert made good his promise to trial as many new and younger combinations as possible. As a result, team Ireland’s brilliant fourth placing at the European championships in Haras du Pin, was largely against the odds, and with the 10 countries represented, was no mean feat.

Austin O'Connor and Colorado Blue take on the cross-country on their way to winning the Mars Maryland CCI5*- L \ Shannon Brinkman

Under uncertain conditions, Albert followed his mandate throughout the year and, reflecting on the outcome, he commented: “It’s been work in progress, but if we don’t let the younger ones have a chance when they deserve it, they will not have any experience when the older ones retire! We took full squads to Aachen, Jardy and Boekelo, and while we are not where the British are, we are definitely one of the bigger nations in terms of four-star depth.”

At the time of writing, the details of Albert’s permanent appointment have yet to be finalised, but it is fully anticipated that he will be at the helm next year. Looking forward to the Olympic Games in Paris, he reveals that his initial plans for contenders will be individually tailored. “All will need to come out and compete,” he said. “But the lesser experienced combinations will do more.”

In what will prove to be good news to all, Albert has also disclosed that funding for training is now available, and that he plans to announce a shortlist of possible contenders in the coming weeks. “This will be an initial list,” he explained. “But there will be nothing to say that someone not on the list cannot make the cut. I’m excited about the year ahead. I won’t hold back – I think if luck goes our way, we have as good a chance as any to come home with a medal.”

One of those obviously in contention will be Austin O’Connor, whose plans for next year are unconfirmed. “From my point of view, Paris is the aim, but horses are horses and I’m not expecting selection to be a given either,” he said. “There is no exact programme, but he’ll (Colorado Blue) go out and compete and certainly won’t be hidden.” O’Connor is also very optimistic about the recent appointment of Bernard Jackman, adding: “It’s very positive to have someone on board with such depth of sporting knowledge, but with no immediate connection.”

Spring Internationals

Unusually, there were no Irish riders in the season’s five-star opener in Kentucky, which was won on home turf by the American partnership of Tamra Smith and Mai Baum. This was a popular and significant win for Smith, who finished less than a fence ahead of the much-fancied Olympic medallist Tom McEwen aboard his new ride, the former Nicola Wilson ride DL Dublin.

Similarly short on numbers, just two Irish riders made their way to an extremely soggy Badminton in May, where they encountered the usual strong opposition, and a very testing track. Never afraid to challenge, course designer Eric Winter’s showcase had looked tough on walking, but few quite anticipated that less than half of the 64 starters would make it through to the final day, and no-one achieved the time allowed. At the close of play, there were 17 eliminations, and 11 retirements, but some brilliant performances as well. Among these select few was Ireland’s Austin O’Connor who, riding his Olympic partner Colorado Blue, stopped the clock in the fastest time of the day. Appearing to relish the testing conditions and firing warning shots for the year ahead, O’Connor and Colorado Blue added just 10.8 penalties to an otherwise foot-perfect performance, and by doing so rocketed 32 places after dressage into second spot overnight. Heading into the show jumping with an unassailable lead, Britain’s Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo retained her position, while O’Connor finally reversed places with Oliver Townend (Ballaghmor Class) to complete in third. This was by any standards an outstanding performance from the Co Cork native, and was his best result since partnering Simply Rhett into fourth spot an astonishing 23 years earlier.

In contrast, Susie Berry was making only her second appearance at the Gloucestershire showcase, and while she had a great spin 12 months ago, Ringwood LB did not enjoy the conditions, and Susie called it a day.

Berry did however progress to enjoy a good spring season, clocking up notable placings in the long format four-star at Bramham, as well as the five-star showcase in Luhmühlen. At the latter, she piloted Monbeg By Design into a creditable 11th spot, while also having a good spin, fellow senior squad rider Felicity Ward filled 15th with Regal Bounty.

Susie Berry and Monbeg By Design Luhmuhlen 2023 \ EquusPix Photography

Several British and European forays followed and, in June, Dag Albert accompanied a sizeable contingent to the Nations Cup fixture at Jardy in France. The untested squad of Daragh Byrne, Patrick Whelan, Jennifer Kuehnle and Sian Coleman performed well to take the overall seventh placing in the team competition.

A more experienced team travelled to Aachen, where in the prestigious CCIO4* competition they had a storming result to fill fourth spot from eight teams represented. Joseph Murphy aboard Calmaro completed as the best individually in ninth place, while Cathal Daniels aboard the veteran Rioghan Rua made up huge ground after dressage to fill 11th.

European championships

With the Paris Olympics looming, and with qualification secure, Dag Albert had the luxury of trialling some new combinations at the European championships in Haras du Pin. Having deliberated, he finally announced his squad of Susie Berry with the inexperienced Clever Trick, Sarah Ennis aboard the similarly green Grantstown Jackson, together with the more seasoned combinations of Joseph Murphy with the consistent Calmaro, along with the 2022 world championship pairing of Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty. Also travelling as individuals were championship rookies Ian Cassells with Woodfarm Jack OD and Jennifer Kuehnle riding Polly Blue Eyes.

Not ideally, the Irish challenge kicked off disappointingly in the dressage, but rallied in good style after Saturday’s gruelling test across the country. Setting out as pathfinder, Sarah Ennis produced a quite brilliant performance with Susanna Franke and Peter Cole’s Grantstown Jackson, adding just 2.4 seconds for time. As the day progressed, the significance of Ennis’ round was highlighted as only one combination returned home within the time allowed, and Ennis gained a promotion from 54th to fifth overnight.

As underfoot conditions worsened, Susie Berry had a great run with the clear but slower Clever Trick, as did Joseph Murphy who produced a steady round with Calmaro. Unfortunately, Ward and Regal Bounty, parted company near the end of the track, while Ian Cassells fell at the preceding fence. Making her senior championship appearance, Jennifer Kuehnle decided not to run in the challenging ground.

Joseph Murphy with Calmaro (IRL) at the FEI Eventing European Championship at Haras du Pin \ EquusPix Photography

With much improved spirits, and with the team placed fourth overnight, behind Great Britain, Germany and France, the final day’s show jumping delivered mixed results. Importantly, the team retained their fourth placing, while the stars of the day were Joseph Murphy and Calmaro who, having delivered two brilliant clear rounds, completed as the best of the Irish in 12th. Having made two jumping errors, Sarah Ennis slipped two places adrift in 14th, leaving Berry to cluster well in 16th. “We were very nearly on the podium,” said an upbeat Dag Albert. “It was no fluke as we proved in Aachen, and had it been run on the Olympic format (where only three scores count) we would have been on the podium.”

In the end it was all about the British, who having started out as hot favourites, landed not only the team gold, but also the individual gold and silver. Such was their domination, silver medallists Germany were nearly 30 marks in arrears, from France who filled a close third. It was a similar story in the individual ranks, which saw Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo) emerge as the runaway gold medallist, from compatriot Kitty King (Vendredi Biats) and Germany’s Sandra Auffarth (Viamant Du Matz).

Autumn Internationals

Irish riders were out in force to contest the full range of internationals that were staged in Britain throughout the summer. All had varying successes, among which were Lucy Latta’s smart fourth placing in Blair (CCI4*-L) with RCA Patron Saint and Susie Berry’s string of good results in the CCI4*-S sectors at Alnwick.

The main autumn focus was, as always, centred on Burghley, which for the second year in succession was overseen by American course designer Derek di Grazia. Ireland’s competing trio of Padraig McCarthy (HHS Noble Call), Sam Watson (SAP Talisman) and Austin O’Connor (Colorado Blue) met with varied fortunes, with Watson emerging to land a creditable 13th top 20 placing. This ranking did not fully reflect that the Co Carlow pair’s foot-perfect cross-country round was considered one of the stand outs of the day, albeit let down by four very costly jumping errors on the final day.

Padraig McCarthy enjoyed a good spin with HHS Noble Call to slot into 17th, while O’Connor walked home after a frustrating glance off early on track.

Sam Watson and SAP Talisman (ISH) at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials \ EquusPix Photography

Once again and in this true test of class and stamina, Irish-bred horses shone, delivering six of the top 10 placings, including the winner Ballaghmor Class. Claiming his second Burghley title, the Oliver Townend-ridden veteran narrowly pipped David Doel (Galileo Nieuwmoed), as well as the third placed Jack of Diamonds-sired Cavalier Crystal with Harry Meade.

Hot on the heels of Burghley was Blenheim, where heading a large Irish contingent, Sarah Ennis (Action Lady M) was just outside the top 20 (CCI4*L) and Padraig McCarthy filled sixth in the short format with Pilot Twist B.

As the season drew slowly to a close, another sizeable Irish group travelled to Boekelo, where the team completed the Nations Cup in seventh spot. Individually, and reaping the rewards of a good season, Clare Abbott delivered the best Irish result in 13th with Jewelent. Further pleasing results followed, especially at Le Lion d’Angers, where the young horses showed encouragingly well, and Padraig McCarthy picked up a top 10 placing with the seven-year-old MGH Zabaglone.

Moving on to the final five-star showcases in France and Fair Hill, the results in the former fell largely to form. Not for the first time, the new European champion Ros Canter proved invincible, to win with Izilot DHI, a fence ahead of Oliver Townend with Treglider. For the Irish, it was largely a case of what if. As the best of the travelling quintet, Sarah Ennis filled 22nd place with her five-star debutante Grantstown Jackson, while fellow first-timers Barricello (Joseph Murphy) and Master Point (Ian Cassells) notched up rewarding completions.

Leaving the best to last, Austin O’Connor rewrote the history books when landing his much-applauded victory in Fair Hill.

Despite an edge of seat show jumping phase, O’Connor and the gallant ‘Salty’ emerged on top in what was a fitting and fulfilling end to a busy year.

Home Internationals

While as last year, the Munster region staged the bulk of Ireland’s international fixtures, the launch of a new fixture at Lisgarvan House in Co Carlow was a welcome one. Much to the credit of the enthusiastic and hard-working Corrigan family, together with Paul and Allen Brady, the rain-soaked event was a resounding success and will be a major addition to the calendar.

As usual, the season kicked off in Co Cork, where the Fell family hosted the first of their two annual fixtures. Despite strong opposition from the home side, the overseas visitors dominated, with British rider Wills Oaken landing a one-two in the feature CCI4*L. In the short format equivalent, Sarah Ennis looked odds-on to score with Grantstown Jackson, but opting to take it easy across the country, she settled for second spot behind New Zealander Sam Lissington (Bing Bong).

Lifting Irish spirits, Robbie Kearns (Ballyvillane OBOS) swept aside the opposition to win the CCI3*S, while Steven Smith picked up a rewarding two-star win aboard Handsome Star.

Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson at the FEI Eventing European Championships at Haras du Pin \ Tomas Holcbecher

Such is its reputation and popularity among riders, Millstreet at the end of June attracted a host of eventing royalty, and classes were hard won. As favourite, Piggy French lifted the feature CCI4*-L with the Irish-bred Coolparks Sarco, while flying the Irish flag, Camilla Speirs piloted BT Angelo into a very creditable fifth place. In the short format class, former world number one Tim Price had an easy victory with Falco, but was well challenged by Joseph Murphy and the consistent Calmaro in third.

Disappointingly for the organisers, the first of two Semalease Kilguilkey international fixtures was only moderately supported, but the quality was high. All the long format honours went abroad, but Ian Cassells and Woodendfarm Jack OD did enjoy a smart runner-up placing behind Giovanni Ugolotti in the CCI4*S.

It was a different story three weeks later, when the second edition attracted probably the best international entry yet. Dominated by the Kiwis, who were taking advantage of the large number of classes on offer, the three podium placings in the CCI4*L fell to the antipodeans with the top spot going to first time visitor Clarke Johnstone (Menlo Park). In the short format meanwhile, it was Clarke’s compatriot Jonelle Price who took the spoils aboard Senor Crocodillo.

Stepping into the vacated Millsteet late summer date, Lisgarvan hosted its first international at the end of August. The event attracted several visiting Olympic riders and, while the weather could certainly have been kinder, it did nothing to diminish either the success of the fixture or the overwhelming feelgood factor that surrounded it.

Promising to return, British European championship gold medallist Laura Collett was on top form to win the main long format class and, with an Irish twist, she scored with the injured Aoife Clark’s Feliche Des Royen. Clare Abbott, who was on great form with Jewelent, won the CCI3*S.

Clare Abbott and Jewelent, winners of the Cahervillahow CCI3*-S at Lisgarvan House International \ Louise O'Brien Photography

The season closed as it opened at Ballindenisk, which ran under the most appalling weather conditions at the end of September. Speaking to The Irish Field after the event, organiser Peter Fell commented: “We have been running events here at Ballindenisk for 50 years and we have never had conditions like these. It was a challenge, and a real battle to get through it.”

Unsurprisingly, there were a number of withdrawals over the course of the weekend, but taking nothing away from her victory, Sian Coleman defied the elements to win the feature class aboard Kate Jarvey’s Hush A Bye Baby.

Under-age Internationals

Not for the first time, it was left to the under-age squads to bring home the silverware. The top honours went to Sue Shortt’s outstanding squad of young riders, who netted both the team and individual silver medals at Montelibretetti in September.

In a nail-biting conclusion and less than a mark adrift of the Italian winners, the team of Alannah Kelly, Godfrey Gibbons, Heather O’Connor and Chloe Fagan settled for the runner-up placing, with Alannah also collecting the silver award.

Sue Shortt’s team of Alannah Kelly, Heather O’Connor, Godfrey Gibbons and Chloe Fagan won team silver medal at the FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders\ 2023 \ Italy

It was an especially tough few days for Chloe Fagan who, in gold medal winning position heading into the final day, was so unfortunately forced to withdraw overnight.

Further medals came courtesy of Jane Kinsella’s pony squad in Le Mans. The team of Carla Williamson, Ciara O’Connor, Molly O’Connor and Ben Connors competed in bronze medal placing behind Germany and France, while in fourth spot, Carla just missed out on the individual honours.

Joining the young riders in Montelibretti were the junior team of Tom Nestor, Momo Sheehy, Ted O’Leary and Julia Adams. Despite being highly fancied to win a medal, the cards did not fall their way, and it was left to Tom Nestor to land the best placing in 15th spot.