An exceptional year in Irish equestrian sport was celebrated at Croke Park yesterday when Horse Sport Ireland hosted an awards ceremony that was attended by the Minister for Sport, Leo Varadkar.

Olympic bronze-medal-winning showjumper Cian O’Connor was among those honoured and made history again by jumping two fences in front of Hill 16.

Helen Kearney, who won two individual medals at the Paralympics, was also at the function.

She, along with Eilish Byrne, James Dwyer and Geraldine Savage, were also recognised for claiming team bronze at the Games.

Others whose achievements in London were also heralded were the eventing team, which finished fifth, and Natalya Coyle, who was ninth in the modern pentathlon. Awards were also presented to the senior Irish showjumping team.