Cian O’Connor
"SUCCESS IS REWARD FOR EFFORT”
My late grandfather, Dr. Karl Mullen, is a name synonymous with excellence.
On the rugby field, where he made his name, he led the Ireland national team to its inaugural Grand Slam title in 1948. By beating the cream of rugby talent from across the British Isles, coming so soon after the conclusion of World War II, he helped elevate the burgeoning Irish state to an international audience. His is a legacy which endures.
We are all immensely proud of how the Karlswood brand has evolved. Many people have been a part of the vision that Ruth and I have had for Karlswood, including our families and close friends.
Cian’s Career
Cian's introduction to equestrianism started at the age of 14 through his father Tadhg's love of horses. His first horse whom he shared with his father was a chestnut gelding called Radiman, whom Cian had great success with in hunter trial competitions.
O’Connor made his international debut for Ireland in Dunkirk, France at the age of seventeen.
Since then the Kildare man has competed at four Olympic Games, four World Championships and six European Championships, and has attained 159 senior caps for his country.
World Top 10 Ranking
Absolutely delighted to have entered the Top 10 in the Longines World Rankings for the first time in my career.
Huge thanks to everyone who has helped make this rise possible over the past 12 months; especially the owners of the super horses who jumped so many clear rounds around the globe for me; Susan Magnier, Nikki Walker, Sarah Stoute, Rachel Penner and Pat Crean - many many thanks for your wonderful support.
As always my incredible team who keep the wheels turning at Karlswood thank you all so much for everything you do for me, the horses and the wider Karlswood brand.
Multi-Medallist
Cian is a 45-year-old multi-medallist and one of Ireland’s longest-serving Team members. Cian is married to Ruth and they have two children, Ben and Cara. He competes at the very top level of international showjumping across the globe.
150th Nations Cups Award
Ireland’s most decorated international show jumper, Cian O’Connor, had his career to date celebrated in the Main Arena of the RDS this evening after he recently surpassed 150 appearances in the green jacket.
Presented with a commemorative, custom-made KEP Italia helmet on behalf of Horse Sport Ireland, the national governing body for equestrian sports in Ireland, O’Connor was given a rousing reception by the packed RDS stands to acknowledge his 25 years in the saddle for his country.
Yesterday’s Aga Khan Trophy appearance was O’Connor’s 152nd in the green jacket, and his 18th for the famous Nations Cup trophy at the Dublin Horse Show.
O’Connor made his senior Irish debut in 1999 when appearing on the victorious team who won the Nations Cup of Greece in Athens. Since then, he has competed on a remarkable 28 other winning Nations Cup teams, with the most recent being Ireland’s success in Aachen, Germany, last month and is currently the world’s number 18-ranked rider.
Remarkable Record
Having ridden in his first Nations Cup for Ireland at the age of 19, Cian has gone on to achieve a remarkable record in selections for the Irish team, with 159 caps to date under his country’s flag.
To date Cian has competed at four Olympic Games, four World Championships and six European Championships.
In 2012, he won an individual bronze medal at the London Olympic Games with Blue Loyd and was a member of the Irish team that took a gold medal at the European Championships in Gothenburg in 2017, where he also won individual bronze, aboard Good Luck.
Cian has also played a prominent role in four Irish Aga Khan Trophy successes to date at the Dublin Horse Shows in 2004, 2012, 2015 and 2022.
In October 2019 Cian jumped clear as the anchor rider to help Ireland win the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona which, in turn, secured qualification for Tokyo Olympics 2020, where he placed 7th Individually with Kilkenny.
Cian participated in his fourth Olympic Games in August 2024 aboard K.I Maurice, owned by the Stoute Family. Cian competed in 15 Nations Cups for Team Ireland in 2024, having four victories for Team Ireland.
Badge of Honour
Cian was named as part of the Horse Sport Ireland Team of the Year at the 2017 Irish Show Jumping Awards Gala. He was also named International Rider of the Year and presented with an International Equestrian Federation [FEI] Gold Badge of Honour at the same ceremony.
He won the Irish Field Top Showjumper Award for 2012 and 2017 and also Ireland's International Showjumper of the Year Award in 2016. Cian was part of the team that won an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2015 Irish Youth Foundation Sport Excellence Awards.
