Biography

Irish Olympic rider Austin O’Connor (50) last competed here in 2023 gaining 3^rd place with Colorado Blue – his entry this year. Last year the pair was a member of the Irish team at the Paris Olympic Games (17^th) and was previously the highest placed combination of the Irish team at both last year’s World Championships in Pratoni (18^th) and the Olympic Games in Tokyo (13^th). They also completed Burghley and in 2023 with Colorado Blue, Austin gained a career highlight when the pair won the 5* at Elkton.

Over the last 25-years Austin has represented Ireland in four Olympic Games (2000, 2008 & 2020 & 2024) four European Championships (2003, 2007, 2013 &’15) and one World Championship (2022).

Austin who is based near Chilton in Oxfordshire, 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 made an impressive Badminton debut in 1999 gaining 4^th place with Simply Rhett .

Austin trains with Gill Watson and Tracie Robinson and is a keen follower of National Hunt racing football and skiing. He is married to Amy and the couple has two sons aged 7 & 5.

Colorado Blue owned by The Salty Syndicate and rider is 15-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. He is described by Austin as his ‘horse of a lifetime’ while Kate Jarvey is ‘a truly wonderful loyal owner’.