Cian O’Connor & Kilkenny Conquer the €51,300 Suzuki Grand Prix CSI 3* at the Sunshine Tour

By Jumper News on 18 18America/Sao_Paulo October 18America/Sao_Paulo 2022

Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – October 16, 2022 – An Irish win in the €51,300 Suzuki Grand Prix CSI 3* brought to an end an exciting week of top sport at Montenmedio as the capable hands of Cian O’Connor (IRL) guided his well known mount ‘Kilkenny’ (Cardento 933 x Guidam) and owned by Carol Gee.

Cian told us that he loves to come and train and compete here at Montenmedio and is always delighted with the way the family invests continuously in the installations for both the horses and the riders comfort. He told us that: ‘Kilkenny’ is a very special horse for him, ‘and he came out beautifully today really demonstrating his ability to rebalance into the double’, also nailing the last roll-back turn to the second last fence, ‘then galloping forward and easily taking a stride out to the very last fence’. Stopping the clock in 39.35 seconds. A beautiful round and a comprehensive win.

Last to go in this jump off of ten riders was another legendary rider Laura Kraut (USA), who was riding Baloutinue (Balou de Rouet x Landor S), owned by St. Bride’s Farm. They also jumped a beautiful round, without haste, but with very neat turns and finished close behind Cian, in 39.93 seconds, taking second place. Laura was extremely happy with the horse’s performance in the GP and is looking forward to the next classes with this lovely gelding.

**Iván Serrano Saez** (ESP) & **Rain Man**

In third place, it was one of our top Spanish riders, Iván Serrano Saez (ESP) who stopped the clock in 40.39s with Rain Man (Chacco-Blue x Pilot), owned by Yeguada Valbanera.

Niamh Mcevoy (IRL) was the second Irish rider in the top rankings and she took fourth place with Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick, these two have had a very good week here at the Tour as they also took third in the Hipotels Trophy class here on 14th.

It was also lovely to see the Polish rider Andrzej Oplatex (POL) taking 5th place with the gelding Diaroubet (Diarado x Baloubet du Rouet). They jumped a super round today, just their second foray into the ring this week, as they also jumped a nice clear in the 1.45 class on the 13th.