Austin O’Connor

Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th May 2025

Austin O’Connor

Ireland
  • 28 - Colorado Blue

Biography

Irish Olympic rider Austin O’Connor (48), who is based near Didcot in Oxfordshire, was 8th here last year with Colorado Blue – his entry this year also. The pair was the highest placed member of the Irish team at both last year’s World Championships in Pratoni (18th) and the Olympic Games in Tokyo (13th).

Over the last 22 years Austin has represented Ireland in three Olympic Games (2000, 2008 & 2020) four European Championships (2003, 2007, 2013 &’15) and one World Championship.

Austin was born in Cork. His parents ran a riding school and breaking yard and at the age of 13 Austin started his international career becoming the youngest ever rider to compete in a two-star in Punchestown. Placed at Punchestown in ’90 and ’92 he was twice an Irish Junior team member, was long-listed for Young Riders and at the age of 19 came to England for two months work experience with the Wiegersma family at their yard in Cornwall. After two years he left to set up his own yard, initially in Worcestershire. He completed his first Badminton in 1999.

Austin is married to Amy and the couple has two sons aged 5 & 3.

Austin trains with Gill Watson, Tracie Robinson and Carl Hester. He is a keen follower of National Hunt racing and supports Everton FC.

Colorado Blue owned by The Salty Syndicate and rider is 14-year-old British-bred SHB(GB) registered gelding. Bred by Kate Jarvey he is by the leading sire Jaguar Mail (sire of Tenareze, Fischertakinou, Treloar, Tresor Mail etc) out of Rock Me Baby by the former advanced stallion Rock King. Rock Me Baby is also the dam of Ludwig Svennerstal’s former Olympic ride Balham Mist. Austin bought the dam Rock Me Baby as a four-year-old and sold her to Kate to breed from. Colorado Blue was acquired from Kate as a five-year-old by the four ladies of the Salty Syndicate and has been produced by Austin from the start of his career.

Entries

Colorado Blue

SHBGB, Ireland, 2009
16.3hh , grey , gelding

Sire Jaguar Mail

Dam Rock Me Baby (Rock King)

Breeder Kate Jarvey

Owner(s): The Salty Syndicate
& Rider

Notable Results

2022 – Pratoni Ch-M-C 18th Colorado Blue

2021 – Tokyo OG 13th Colorado Blue

2021 – Bicton CCI4*S 10th Colorado Blue

2021 – Ballindenisk CCI4*L 4th Colorado Blue

2020 – Pau CCI5*L El Colorado Blue

2016 – Burghley CCI4* ret Balham Houdini

2015 – Blair Castle CH-EU-CCI3* El Balham Houdini

2015 – Burghley CCI4* 42nd Morning Venture

2015 – Lexington CCI4* 16th Balham Houdini

2013 – Malmo CH-EU-3* 41st Ringwood Mississippi

2013 – Lexington CCI4* 13th Ringwood Mississippi

2009 – Luhmuhlen CCI4* 9th Pocket Rocket

2008 – Pau CCI4*12th Pocket Rocket
2008 – Hong Kong OG 21st Hobby du Mee

2007 – Pratoni CH-EU-CCI3* 27th Hobby du Mee

2003 – Punchestown EU-CH-3* El Horseware Fabio

2002 – Burghley CCI4*29th Horseware Fabio

2000 – Sydney OG 17th (individual) Horseware Fabio

 

Badminton

2022 – 8th Colorado Blue

2017 – 26th Kilpatrick Knight

2014 – 15th Ringwood Mississipi

2010 – 42nd Pocket Rocket

2007 – 21st Hobby Du Mee

1999 – 4th Simply Rhett