| Rate This Article: | ||
|
Cian O'Connor and Everything
The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week one is the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.
This week's course designer in the International Arena is Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. The G&C Farm 1.45m class was a time first round format and welcomed 19 entries. O'Connor and his first mount, Blue Loyd owned by Ashkirk Ltd and O'Connor, were neat around the course to finish in sixth place.
Immediately following, the lead changed hands as Nick Skelton (GBR) and Unique (2001 KWPN gelding by Indoctro x Voltaire), owned by Beverley Widdowson, set the time to beat at 61.196 seconds. Skelton's time would hold up for second place. Scott Brash (GBR) and Intertoy Z (1999 Zangersheide gelding by Interadel x Centauer) placed third with a quick, clear round in 62.918 seconds.
With
Everything, O'Connor decided to change his route on course from his
first time around, and it helped him stop the timers in 60.510 seconds
for the win.
Watch Cian O'Connor and Everything in their winning round!
Show videos are available atwww.shownet.biz
"The ground is perfect, and the fences are lovely. There was a short turn from one to two. I didn't try it on my first horse, but then I saw some others doing it so I thought I'd give it a lash," he explained. "I think that was the winning of the class, just to come inside to number two. It was a nice course, fair, and very easy to get to the jumps. It was a lovely start for the horses."
O'Connor has been riding Everything, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Toulon x Mast VD Vrombautshoeve, since he was three. They have moved up the ranks together, and O'Connor noted he had a very consistent seven-year-old year.
"He's pretty mature, for an eight-year-old to go straight in that big ring on the first day and do what he did there, I'm pretty happy with him," O'Connor noted. "I think he's a really exciting horse. I'm looking forward to the rest of circuit on him."
O'Connor
explained his decision to enter the 1.45m division, "Sometimes you can
start too small and then it's a big jump up and you might not get to
this level until week three. I just said let's put him in there and see
what happens," he said. "Both of my horses jumped well. He's a quick
horse. He's only jumped a handful of 1.45m and 1.50m classes, so he's
still inexperienced. He's only eight, but he's so brave and he's got a
super attitude. I think he's one that will push on and jump the grand
prix."
Cian O'Connor and Everything with ringmaster Cliff Haines
Having just gotten married on New Year's Eve, O'Connor and his wife Ruth are mixing business and pleasure at the FTI WEF. "I love it here. It's nice to be here and I suppose it's combining a bit of honeymoon and work!" he laughed. "I have to take a day away from the show at least once a week, so I'm told."
The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of hunter and jumper competition. The highlight class in the International Arena is the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 at 1 p.m.
For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Final Results: $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers Time First Round
1 EVERYTHING CIAN O'CONNOR (IRL): 0/60.510
2 UNIQUE NICK SKELTON (GBR): 0/61.196
3 INTERTOY Z SCOTT BRASH (GBR): 0/62.918
4 TRAFFIC BOY SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL): 0/63.228
5 AZZARO VAN'T HAGEN HOF LAURA KRAUT (USA): 0/65.539
6 BLUE LOYD CIAN O'CONNOR (IRL): 0/66.782
7 LISONA DARRAGH KERINS (IRL): 3/76.228
8 LENNOX LEWIS 2 LESLIE HOWARD (USA): 4/60.420
9 WOODSTOCK O LAURA KRAUT (USA): 4/63.355
10 OH' D EOLE MCLAIN WARD (USA): 4/66.940
11 APACHE ASHLEE BOND (USA): 4/68.141
12 UTAN ANGELA COVERT-LAWRENCE (CAN): 4/72.468
Photo Credit: Cian O'Connor (IRL) and Everything won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on the opening day of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival,www.sportfot.com. This photo may be used only in relation to this press release.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The
2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top
competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting
Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach
International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are "AA" rated and Jumper
Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.
About FTI Consulting
FTI
Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to
helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an
increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With
more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting
professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and
overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations,
litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation
management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company
generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More
information can be found atwww.fticonsulting.com.
Please visitwww.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.
