The Irish equestrian world mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished figures, Captain Con Power, who passed away at 71. A rider of rare talent and skill, Con left an indelible mark on Irish showjumping, celebrated both for his accomplishments in the ring and for his enduring influence across generations.

Con’s first selection for the Aga Khan team came in 1976 at the Dublin Horse Show, where he rode the mare Mullacrew, who later became the dam of the legendary sire, Cruising. Cruising would go on to achieve international acclaim under Trevor Coyle and left a profound impact on Irish breeding.

Captain Power was a key member of the iconic Irish team that achieved the Aga Khan three-in-a-row from 1977 to 1979, alongside James Kernan, Eddie Macken, and the late Paul Darragh. Unique among them, Con competed on three different Irish-bred horses: Coolronan, Castlepark, and Rockbarton. His versatility and ability to adapt to each horse marked him as a master of his craft.

His career highlights include leading rider titles at the RDS in 1976 and 1979, and similar accolades across the Atlantic in New York, Washington, and Toronto in 1978, followed by Aachen in 1979. That same year, Con clinched the puissance at Aachen and days later helped secure Ireland’s victory in the Aachen Nations Cup, riding alongside Captain John Roche, Eddie Macken, and Paul Darragh. Back home, he won the puissance at Dublin just two days before the team’s historic win in the Aga Khan Cup.

After retiring from military service in 1979, Con continued to excel, being named Irish Showjumper of the Year from 1983 to 1986. However, his riding career was abruptly halted in 1988 following a severe head injury caused by a loose horse’s stirrup iron, which required six weeks of recovery in hospital.

The Power family is part of the very fabric of Irish equestrian sport. Originally from County Wexford and later based in County Meath, Con’s father, Patsy, was a breeder of champions, including Caughoo, the 1947 Grand National winner. Con himself began his career as a jockey, later shifting to eventing and showjumping as he grew into his six-foot-two frame.

Con’s legacy lives on through his children. His son, Robbie “Puppy” Power, became one of Ireland’s finest National Hunt jockeys, winning the 2007 Aintree Grand National on Silver Birch and the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Sizing John before his retirement in 2022. Con’s daughter, Elizabeth Power, has enjoyed remarkable success in eventing and showjumping, capturing victory at the 2019 Dublin Horse Show and several other prestigious events. Con’s wife, Margaret, also competed in eventing, notably at the Badminton Horse Trials.

As a trainer, Con was generous with his expertise, mentoring many young riders, including the talented Allen brothers, Bertram and Harry, and passing his knowledge to countless others across Ireland.

Paying tribute, Irish Horse Board Chairman Tiernan Gill described him as “one of Ireland’s true horsemen, with achievements spanning coaching, racing, eventing, and showjumping.” Reflecting on Con’s career, he added, “To be part of the three-in-a-row Aga Khan team on three different Irish-bred horses highlights his extraordinary ability. Winning a puissance and a Nations Cup on the same horse, at the same show, is a feat unlikely to be seen again.”

The Power family, along with Con’s friends and admirers across Ireland and beyond, bid farewell to a legend. His legacy, deeply rooted in Irish equestrian tradition, will endure through those he taught, the horses he rode, and the generations he inspired.

Cover Photo from RTE News.