Nov 04,2024
The Irish equestrian community has lost one of its greatest ever riders, with the death of Captain Con Power at the age of 71.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted horsemen of his generation, Captain Power's first selection on an Aga Khan team at the Dublin Horse Show was in 1976 when he rode the mare Mullacrew who was later the dam of Cruising.
Cruising was ridden to worldwide success by Trevor Coyle, and went on to become one the most influential Irish sires of all time.
Captain Con Power was a member of the famous Aga Khan three-in-a-row winning Irish team from 1977 to 1979 along with James Kernan, Eddie Macken and the late Paul Darragh. Power was the only member of that team to ride three different Irish-bred horses - Coolronan (1977), Castlepark (1978) and Rockbarton (1979).
Power was leading rider at the RDS in 1976 and 1979 and was also named leading rider at North American shows in New York, Washington and Toronto in 1978 and at Aachen in 1979.
In 1979 Con won the puissance competition at Aachen and just days later was part of the Irish team that won the Aachen Nations Cup along with Captain John Roche, Macken and Darragh.
Also in 1979, Power and Rockbarton would win the puissance at the Dublin Horse Show and just two days later were part of the Irish team to win the Aga Khan outright following their three-in-a-row success.
Power retired from the military in 1979 and enjoyed further success as an individual, including the title of Irish showjumper of the year from 1983 to 1986. His riding career came to an abrupt end in 1988 when he suffered a freak accident that threatened his life.
While attending a horse trials where he was teaching a student, Con was struck in the head by a trailing stirrup iron from a loose horse and he would spend six weeks in hospital following the accident.
The Power family are synonymous with Irish equestrian sport. Originally from Co Wexford, they would later make their home in Co Meath.
A picture of Power's father Patsy winning at Enniscorthy show in 1926 is proudly displayed at the family home and Patsy was also the breeder of 1947 Grand National winner Caughoo.
Power originally started his career as a jockey but moved into Eventing and Show Jumping in his later teenage years after he grew to over 6'2".
Con's son Robbie (Puppy) Power was one of Ireland's greatest National Hunt jockeys. He won the 2007 Aintree Grand National aboard Silver Birch and the Cheltenham Gold Cup 10 years later with Sizing John before retiring in 2022.
Captain Power's daughter Elizabeth Power has enjoyed huge success in eventing and showjumping, winning at the Dublin Horse Show in 2019 while she has also recorded many notable victories on the eventing circuit. Power's wife Margaret also evented and competed at Badminton Horse Trials.
Power would go on to be a superb trainer, passing on his skills to the next generation, not only in his own family but to many riders in Ireland including the hugely successful Allen brothers, Bertram and Harry.
Irish Horse Board Chairman Tiernan Gill, paid tribute to Captain Power. "Captain Con Power really was one of Ireland's true horsemen, with sporting achievements in so many different aspects of the industry, coaching, racing, eventing and showjumping," Gill said.
"To be part of the famous three-in-a-row Aga Khan winning team on three different Irish-bred horses, demonstrates the phenomenal talent that he had with different types of horses. Winning a puissance competition before riding on a winning Nations Cup team at the same show, on the same horse, is a something that will probably never be repeated.
"Our deepest condolences to the Power family and all of Con’s many friends around Ireland and internationally. He will be sadly missed by all and his legacy will live on."
