Source:  News Release/Colin McClelland

O’CONNOR FIRST RESERVE FOR FINAL BUT TWO IRISH SPORT HORSES GO THROUGH

MEATH'S Cian O'Connor narrowly failed to qualify for the Olympic show jumping final today (Monday) when his gelding Blue Loyd had three fences down on the tough Nations' Cup course, giving the 32 year-old rider a total of 20 penalties over three qualifying rounds, leaving him as the first reserve for the final.

As first reserve, he still has a chance of making the Olympic Final if any of today's qualifying horses fail to pass the vet check before Wednesday.

Definite qualifiers include the Cruising stallion Flexible, ridden by the USA's Rich Fellers, finishing on an accumulated penalty total of eight faults, in equal 11th place.

The OBOS Quality mare Castlefield Eclipse, ridden by Switzerland's Paul Estermann, also finished in equal 11th on a combined total of eight faults over three rounds, giving Irish Sport Horses two slots in the Olympic Final.

Today's 45 riders were bidding for a place in Wednesday's last two rounds, when the best 35 will start on a zero score, and with only 20 on the lowest penalties from the first round taking part in the medal-deciding last round.

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