Ireland’s Cian O’Connor has a brilliant week so far at CHIO Aachen. Aboard Be Gentle he secured his second victory today in the Prize of Sparkasse – a speed and handiness competition over ditches and banks. After his first victory with Be Gentle (Ticallux Verte x Gentleman) on Tuesday, Cian O’Connor again finished on top aboard Lillie Keenan’s mare.

In a time of 72.42 seconds, Cian O’Connor was not to be beaten with Be Gentle, who jumped around the hunting competition like a regular course. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer came closest riding Chloe (Chippendale Z x Quicksilver), but ended up as runner-up in 72.80 seconds. Only 0.14 seconds slower, Great Britain’s Guy Williams finished into third place with Casper de Muze (Triomphe de Muze x Corsaire de Vaubain). Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano became fourth, followed by Mexico’s Federico Fernandez.

Text © World of Showjumping by Peter van der Waaij // Picture © Tiffany Van Halle