CIAN O’Connor has finished 13th individually at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.

The Kildare man went into today’s final sitting in sixth place with the 12-year-old stallion Good Luck (Canturo x Furioso II), but two fences down in the first of two rounds meant they finished just outside the top 12. The top 12 riders return for the second round at 12.35pm local time (5.35pm Irish time).

Speaking after his round, O’Connor said: “Good Luck has been in good form all week, he has jumped well and was maybe a little bit out of gas today. He just wasn’t firing like he normally can and the course was fair, he jumped well, just had two poles down so that’s the way it goes.”

About his chances coming into the final day, he added: “I thought he had a good chance. The courses are fair, Alan Wade is building and it hasn’t been ginormous where you see people really struggling, it has been clever little tests all over the place. It’s been difficult (here), it’s a very very demanding unusual heat here, it has been a tough week for the horses.”

Talking about his plans for the rest of the season, O’Connor said: “This was always my goal for this year, so I finished 13th at the World Championships with over 120 starters. Obviously I would like to medal, but it wasn’t to be.

“I want to keep working on my championship record and try help the team qualify for the Olympics. Over the winter we will aim maybe at the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva just before Christmas.”

The second round begins at 12.35pm local time (5.35pm Irish time) and will see the top 12 riders battle for podium places. Germany’s Simone Blum jumped clear in this morning’s class to hold on to her lead on a score of 2.47. She will be last to jump in the decider.

CLICK HERE FOR TOP 12 STARTLIST