The Swiss equestrian magazine PferdeWoche has crowned Ireland's Cian O'Connor the most successful Nations Cup rider of 2024, with fifteen clear rounds throughout the year. With eleven clear rounds, Great Britain's Ben Maher finished second ahead of Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann and Ireland's Daniel Coyle who both delivered ten clear rounds.

Ireland also tops the country statistics for 2024 with 77 clear rounds, followed by Germany on 75 and the Netherlands with 62 clear rounds.

45-year-old O’Connor, who runs Karlswood Stables in Batterstown, Ireland, jumped four different horses in his 15 clear rounds. With the 9-year-old French stallion Fancy de Kergane, he delivered a total of eleven clear rounds, including double clear rounds in Roeser (LUX), Prague (CZE) and Falsterbo (SWE). 

O’Connor was delighted with the award. "I think it's very special because it’s unique to be able to represent your country. We jump every week as individual athletes, but when we can help each other and compete as a team, it creates a very special atmosphere and culture. And the Irish team has done so well that I feel very lucky to have been a part of it for so long. Actually, my first Nations Cup was in Athens in 1999," O'Connor said in a press release from PferdeWoche. 

"The Nations Cup is probably the biggest challenge for us riders. Two identical rounds at short intervals, two water jumps, two triple combinations. I think the Nations Cup is very important, not only for the development of the horses, but also for the riders. It teaches the riders that Friday afternoon is usually the time and the day to perform – just like at a championship," O'Connor said.