Cian O'Connor and Waterford Crystal: In the five years since Cian O'Connor represented Ireland in the Nations Cup, aged just 18, he has steadily climbed the equestrian ranks. Throughout the progression, which culminated in Olympic gold this year, his main horse has been Waterford Crystal, with Irish Independent Casper and ABC Landliebe the secondary mounts.
Waterford Crystal is a 1991 bay gelding by Landgraf.
Independent News and Media and Waterford Crystal jointly own the horse.
Prominent on the Irish senior team in the last two seasons, Waterford Crystal has taken part in 13 senior Nations Cup teams, winning seven.
The horse's consistency enabled O'Connor to become the leading Nations Cup rider for 2001-02, with Waterford Crystal taking the leading horse title.
They have competed in two Aga Khan competitions together but O'Connor rode Irish Independent Annabella this year as Waterford Crystal was being rested for Athens, after sustaining a mild fetlock injury.
Previously based at Copperalley in his native Kildare, O'Connor now runs his own business from Karlswood Stables in Co Meath, where in the winter months he buys and sells horses as well as coaching other riders.
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