Steward jumps out in front of Cian O’Connor and may have cost Ireland Olympic qualification

Team Ireland’s Olympic qualification is in jeopardy following a bizarre incident at European Showjumping Championships in Aachen.

There were mental scenes in Germany today when a steward may have cost Ireland a spot in the Olympic showjumping event in 2016.

The arena workers ran in front of Cian O’Connor’s horse “Good Luck” in the middle of a run. This affected O’Connor’s concentration and caused him to make four faults which has hindered Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics.

Ireland finished just outside Olympic qualification, missing out by just .4 of a penalty. This means that unless there is an inquiry the team will not be jumping at next year’s Games.

As Irish showjumping commentator Brendan McArdle reported, the initial appeal from Team Ireland was rejected, but another one is expected to take place.

After appeal results stand for @Cian_O_Connor a further appeal to take place . Not end of the story @RTEsport @TheIrishFieldHW

— Brendan McArdle (@McArdleBrendan) August 21, 2015

Bizarre happening at Euro Show jumping, as one of the Arena workers ran across in front of Cian O'Connor & "Good Luck" leading to 4 faults

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) August 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/TeamIRLEq/status/634774311098839041

Ireland robbed of a place in RIO by an idiot walking in front of @Cian_O_Connor

— Neil O'Brien (@NeilOBrien1) August 21, 2015

@TeamIRLEq miss out on Olympic qualification by .4 of a penalty, all because of some twat running out in front of @Cian_O_Connor😤

— Amy Shaughnessy (@amyshaugh) August 21, 2015

Ireland lodge objection – a steward ran in front of Cian O'Connor & he had the next fence down. Will be crucial to Ireland qualifying or not

— Clare Balding 💙 (@clarebalding) August 21, 2015

Unpack the suitcases! @TeamIRLEq not going to #Rio2016 unless 4 faults caused by guy standing in the path of @Cian_O_Connor are scratched

— Orlaith Carmody (@OrlaithCarmody) August 21, 2015

You would NOT want to be the guy that got in the way of Cian O'Connor that has cost Ireland a place at Rio😳

— Jenn (@JennaaEvanss) August 21, 2015

Gutted for the team @TeamIRLEq, especially @Cian_O_Connor :·(

Thanks to @TG4TV for the live coverage! ♥

— 😷 Thingmebob Whatsername (@siobhan_shivaun) August 21, 2015

Heartbreak for Ireland – a grounds person got in the way of Cian O'Connor while on course. Ireland is said to be lodging an appeal…

— NOËLLE FLOYD (@Noelle_Floyd) August 21, 2015