Cian O’Connor Leads an Irish Wave to Win $300,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
Four-time OIympian and individual bronze medalist Cian O’Connor of Ireland added another feather to his cap on Saturday, February 15, 2025, when he and Bentley de Sury, owned by Karlswood Partners, won the $300,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The class was the highlight of the CSI5*-W week and the final qualifier in the North American League for the 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland, in April.
O’Connor led a veritable wave of Irish riders in the jump-off; they occupied five of the seven to attempt the short course. There were 33 entries in the opening round competing over a course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal, who set a beautiful and demanding track of 14 numbered obstacles with 17 jumping efforts.
“I was very happy with the decisions we made, that the team made with the heights, material and time allowed,” said Costa Cabral. “Everything went our way tonight, so it was good. I was very happy with what we chose tonight. It looked beautiful on the screen, and these riders made it happen.”
Returning first in the jump-off, Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera, a 14-year-old KWPN mare (Quality Time TN x Numero Uno) owned by Hi Hopes Farm LLC, set the early time to beat with a clear round in 40.08 seconds. They would finish in sixth place. However, the valuable points leave them in the fourth-place spot in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League East Coast standings.
Immediately following, that leading time fell to 36.81 seconds when Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz thundered around the course. However, Sweetnam felt he may have left the door open due to his turn from the second to third jumps.
“I knew that feeling that I didn’t have enough done,” he acknowledged, “but he jumped great. I can always be a little bit better, but he did his part.”
The pair has two major grand prix victories in their three-year partnership, including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lexington in 2023 and the American Gold Cup CSI5* in 2024, plus they represented Ireland at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“It’s never easy at this level, but he’s a forward, fast horse,” said Sweetnam of the nearly 17.2-hand, 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Kannan x Cruising owned by Gizmo Partners LLC. “If you have him in the right place and stay out of his way, he’ll do it, as he’s proven over a few years now. I’m delighted the shape he’s in and the frame of mind he’s in.”
Nina Mallevaey (FRA), who has had a fantastic week with her second horse My Clementine, capped off her week with a top-five finish on Nikka vd Bisschop, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Emerol NOP x Nabab de Reve) owned by Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein. They were clear in 38.48 seconds.
Nineteen-year-old Tom Wachman (IRL) and Tabasco de Toxandria Z put in a solid effort with a great rollback turn to the second-to-last jump, but were just off the podium pace in 37.10 seconds for fourth place. Wachman, who turns 20 years old on Monday, rode the 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Cento Lano for Coolmore Showjumping.
Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Eddy Blue, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Chacco-Blue) owned by Carol A. Sollak, rounded out the group in seventh place after they had a rail down out of the double combination for four faults in 38.39 seconds.
Read more:
