In a year which has seen highs and lows for Cian O'Connor he has finished the year achieving the IJM Grand Prix League National Champion title for 2005. With his string of International horses, Cian contested most of the fixtures on this great National Grand Prix circuit which saw tough tracks and big entries. The win came down to the final event at Pilltown in September this year when it became a battle between Cian and the quietly spoken young lady from Cork, Sarah Kate Quinlivan and her one Grand Prix horse, Billy Daly's mare Newmarket Girl.

As we came into the Pilltown event Sarah Kate was in the lead on the leaderboard, needing to place in the final event to hold her lead - but this was not to be as on the day Cian was triumphant with one of his three entries in the class and Sarah Kate was not to be in the placings finishing in second place.

Unfortunately Cian was not at the Showjumper's Ball on Saturday night to collect his award, due to prior engagements and his stable rider, Dan Walsh deputised for him in his absence collecting the trophy..

This is the first time Cian has won the title of National Champion.

The Autumn League National Champion was taken for the second year in a row by Olive Clarke who has made the transition from Young Rider to Senior ranks seem an easy one with her two super Grand Prix horses, Hands Free and Spitfield.

Olive has been consistent throughout the summer league and was in the top 5 throughout the league and then went on to fire up for the Indoor Autumn League taking out the top prize of National Champion.

Olive has taken time out from university studies to concentrate on riding fulltime and will no doubt be hoping to make her International debut in 2006 and we wish her all the best for the coming season as another one of the strong band of women riders ireland is currently producing.