Cian O'Connor (IRL) and the 12-year-old stallion Copain du Perchet CH (Conteur x Ragazzo) won Thursday's opening 1.45m five-star class at Glock's Horse Performance Center in Treffen, Austria. 

Putting on an outstanding performance with a clear round in a time of 65.17 seconds, the duo left the other 73 participating horse-and-rider combinations with no chance and O’Connor could celebrate his first place. “I’m so happy to have been able to take part in this wonderful event for the first time. It’s great to have such a start, because that creates a great kick-off for the weekend. For now I’m hoping that this weekend will carry on as well as it began.”

Jur Vrieling (NED) with Corporal VDL (Cardento x Grosso Z), came closest to the victory with a time of 65.31 seconds only 14 hundredths behind O’Connor. Vrieling's compatriot Jeroen Dubbeldam ended third with Gioia van het Neerenbosch (Nagano x Skippy II). 

Source: Press release from EQWO media house // Picture © Michael Rzepa