Team GAIN rider Cian O’Connor off to flying start at five-star Aachen

Team GAIN rider Cian O’Connor off to flying start at five-star Aachen

Peter Deckers, CEO Handwerkskammer Aachen, Dieter Philipp, president of HWK and president of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. Carl Meulenbergh, congratulating winner Cian O’Connor and Be Gentle

Peter Deckers, CEO Handwerkskammer Aachen, Dieter Philipp, president of HWK and president of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. Carl Meulenbergh, congratulating winner Cian O’Connor and Be Gentle

Team GAIN rider  Cian O’Connor claimed a victory  the opening day of Aachen’s five-star fixture in Germany.

London Olympic Bronze Medallist O’Connor was in unbeatable form in the opening Speed Class, finishing with over two seconds to spare with the 10-year-old mare Be Gentle, who is owned by his American pupil Lillie Keenan.

Ireland is represented by eight riders in three disciplines at the German venue this weekend. The main highlight in the Show Jumping arena will be Sunday’s Aachen Grand Prix, which is part of the Rolex Grand Slam and worth a cool 1 Million Euro.

Ireland will field a full team in the Eventing Nations Cup which gets underway in Aachen on Friday, while Team GAIN Dressage rider Judy  Reynolds continues her preparations for the Rio Olympics and competes in Aachen this weekend with Vancouver K and Zigal.