Keysoe International launching the Keysoe Athlete Development Academy Invest in Irish Rider’s Horses.
Batterstown, Ireland – February 29, 2024 – Following a remarkable run of form in Florida this season, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor (IRL) is preparing his top horses, Maurice and Fermoy, for possible selection for the Irish show jumping team that will appear at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Over the past six weeks Maurice, a 12 year-old bay gelding and Fermoy, a 10 year-old bay stallion, have been jumping extremely well – with Maurice coming 2nd in a CSI5* Grand Prix and Fermoy coming 4th in a Saturday Night National Grand Prix too.
However, O’Connor has come under pressure the last few weeks with several interested parties wanting to buy the horses.
He says: ”It’s very difficult to turn down such offers. The Irish team is very strong and so to make the Olympic selection having enough horse power and being match fit is so important. I’ve reached out to friend and client Sarah Stoute of Keysoe International who has decided to invest into the horses with me for the Olympic Games, and ultimately secure them in the future for her daughter Keira Stoute.”
Cian, who has jumped in three Olympic finals to date and is Ireland’s only ever Olympic Equestrian Medal Winner when he and Blue Loyd claimed bronze at London 2012, said: “Together with the Magnier family, Pat Crean and Nikki Walker, I am very fortunate to already have such support and an incredible team of horses currently to ride. Wellington in Florida has gone very well so far with all the horses achieving great results. Now with Keysoe International coming on board means I can keep my team of horses together which hopefully puts me in a stronger position to ultimately support and deliver for Team Ireland.”
“I must say the success not only for me but also for my students is largely due to the great team of staff we currently have at Karlswoood. One cannot live from past glories and so over the last year I’ve made a serious effort to build a strong team of people and horses around me in order to have myself well mounted and in the best shape possible to achieve success. The Olympics is never a given, it’s a dream and I’m hoping if I have the form that I can be a part of Team Ireland in Paris.”
Keysoe International is a past International competition centre that has plans to soon be redeveloped into a World Class Pro Athlete Development hub for Showjumpers, Eventers, Dressage and Para dressage athletes; offering state of the art training facilities, media training studios, physiotherapy amenities and professional nutrition advice along with other training aids that make the Keysoe Athlete Development Academy stand out in the equine industry.
Sarah Stoute, owner of Keysoe International, commented: “We are proud to support Cian by helping him keep Maurice and Fermoy for his Olympic quest and delighted to secure the future rides for Keira Stoute. These two great horses will be joining her strong string of horses particularly our stallions; K.I. Taj Mahal, K.I. Checkter and K.I. Festival Du Banney.”
“Myself and my family have been working with Cian and his Karlswood team now for over a year and we are thrilled to be in a position to assist him and he has our full support and backing.”
O’Connor added: “I was pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to the Stoute family and extremely grateful that they were happy to support me. The goal for Keysoe International is to develop Keira into a professional Showjumper and myself and my team will support her fully. In addition the venue has incredible plans centred on the Keysoe Athlete Development Academy for prospering athletes by offering a wide range of support in all areas for horse and rider alike.”
“We have worked with Keira over the past year and she is a very dedicated and talented athlete and we will continue to coach and assist her in achieving her own goals and targets in the sport with the ultimate aim of representing Team GB in the future.”
Sarah Stoute said: “Working with Cian and the Karlswood Team is a real pleasure. We have a shared vision of a strong work ethic, attention to detail and an emphasis on forward planning and aiming high. We hope the new development at the Keysoe Athlete Development Academy is something that everyone can enjoy from all across the world.”
Source: Press Release from Karlswood
Photos: © Sportfot / Equus Media / 1Clicphoto
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Categories: English, Jumper News Ireland, Market
