Calverstown rider is world No 1 in Junior Eventing

Image: Horse Sport Ireland.

Young Calverstown eventing rider Ben Connors is the World No 1 in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Eventing Juniors World Rankings (U18s), writes Brian Byrne. His 123 points reflect a season that included four top 10 finishes at the Concours Complet International (CCI) 3 level and a 10th-place individual finish at the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders in Strzegom, Poland, where he also helped Ireland win team silver.

Ben is the youngest of four riding siblings — his older sisters, Alex, Zara and Shannon, have all represented Ireland in eventing, and all four have won medals at the European underage level.

His parents, Michelle Nelson and Kieran Connors, say Ben worked incredibly hard for this and that they are very proud of what he and his horses have achieved. "He spent the summer working with Irish Olympian Susie Berry in the UK, and he is very thankful for the time she invested in him. To see a young Irish rider from Co Kildare leading the world junior rankings is very special."

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, a family friend, has congratulated Ben on a 'spectacular achievement'.

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