CIAN O’Connor continued his onslaught on the American circuit when he took third place in the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix at Coachella in California.

Riding the 11-year-old stallion Good Luck, he was one of just six to make it through to Alan Wade’s jump-off track. First to go in the timed round, O’Connor’s experience showed as he delivered that all important double clear in 43.986 seconds.

Following this foot-perfect round, three of the riders following him left a pole on the ground. However, O’Connor’s hopes of a win were dashed when USA’s Mandy Porter set the fastest time of 41.600 seconds on zero penalties to snatch the first prize of $350,000. Second place went to Canada’s Tamie Phillips and Cristar. Filling fourth place was Andre Thieme and Conthendrix, while Eric Navet and Catypso took fifth, ahead of Uma O’Neill and Clockwise of Greenhill Z.

Tipperary native Kevin Babington earned €10,000 for his 10th place finish on his brilliant mare Shorapur.