Austin O'Connor

The event rider reflects on his rollercoaster ride to victory at Maryland, why Burghley was devastating, and how he and his not "over-brave" horse prevailed to give Ireland its first five-star winner for 58 years. Catherine Austen tells all

- Catherine Austen

WEN summarising Austin O’Connor’s year, it is virtually impossible to avoid clichés, so let’s indulge: eventing is a roller coaster of highs and lows. And sometimes good things happen to those who deserve them.

In May, Austin, then 48, finished third at Badminton on Colorado Blue – his highest placing at that level, and his best since finishing fourth there as a 24-year-old on Simply Rhett, in 1999. It had taken him another 24 years to make the podium.

Austin then got permission from Irish team coach Dag Albert to skip the European Championships to concentrate on Burghley. However, the roller coaster plummeted in September when he and “Salty” had a most surprising early run-out at the Leaf Pit.

But that second cliché came to pass the following month, when Austin and Salty flew across the Atlantic to the Maryland CCI5* and won. It might be the most popular result of the decade. Social media resounded with tributes from Austin’s fellow riders, and even the overnight leader Oliver Townend, who looked set to win the competition until three-quarters of the way round the showjumping course, was visibly delighted for him.

SITTING in the kitchen in the smart house attached to Alderbook Stud near Didcot, which he and his wife Amy were able to buy in 2021 with the backing of Alex Karle and Katrin Herrling, Austin grins when asked what life’s been like since his win.

“The reception has been just incredible,” says the Irishman. “I’m not so sure why, but I suppose, even though I’ve been on the periphery, it’s a different face on the podium, isn’t it?”

Indeed, a miniscule number of riders dominate the five-star victories. How much of a shock was it to Austin himself?