New horse for Cian O’Connor

CIAN O’Connor has added the 10-year-old Valdocco du Caps to his stable. The Number One d’Iso-sired French-bred has been produced to five-star level by Frenchman Guillaume Foutrier and the combination were part of the French Nations Cup team in Aachen, where they jumped a clear first round.

Valdocco du Caps won the four-star Grand Prix in St Tropez in June, and they also finished fourth in the five-star Grand Prix at the Bordeaux World Cup show last February.

Hunter Trials

THE Louth Hunter Trials takes place on Sunday, October 6th at Tattersalls Farm, Fairyhouse. Tattersalls’ own course builder Eugene O’Neill has built a new course at the lovely venue to cater for open, novice and pre novice on the day. Contact 086 8576203 for more information.

McClaren to Jonelle Price

NEW Zealand’s Jonelle Price has taken over the ride on teammate Mark Todd’s former ride McClaren. The 12-year-old gelding, who is owned by David and Karie Thomson, went to the 2018 World Equestrian Games under Todd (63), who announced his retirement at the Camphire International Horse Trials in July and offically retired at Burghley last Sunday.

Irish rider Padraig McCarthy secured the ride on the experienced 15-year-old gelding Leonidas II following Todd’s retirement, and the combination made a very promising start in the CCI4*-S at Millstreet when finishing in sixth place, as well as the seven-year-old Cool Tide.

Todd retirement ceremony

AN emotional Mark Todd officially retired from eventing last Sunday during a ceremony at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Riding his London 2012 team bronze-medal winning horse, NZB Campino, he graced the main arena with his presence for one last time before the final show jumping phase.

Speaking to the crowd, he said: “It has been an amazing 40 years. I know there’s a lot of people here who were probably little then and have grown up since I first rode here. You are an amazing crowd and have always got behind me and made me feel very welcome.”