Legendary Irish show jumper Con Power dies aged 71

Legendary Irish show jumper and member of the three back-to-back Aga Khan winning teams for Ireland Captain Con Power has died 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 Irish mare Mullacrew.

The successful show jumper died at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown on Sunday after a long illness, surrounded by his family including his wife Margaret, son Robert, daughter Elizabeth and granddaughter Emma.

Lovingly remembered by his family, daughter-in-law Hannah, sisters and brothers; Ann, Pat, Ted, Mandy, Vonnie, Vivienne, Pierce and Helen, extended family, friends and neighbours.

Captain Power was a member of the famous Aga Khan three-in-a-row winning team from 1977 to 1979 along with James Kernan, Eddie Macken and the late Paul Darragh, with Con being the only member of that team to ride three different Irish-bred horses – Coolronan (1977), Castlepark (1978) and Rockbarton (1979).

The father-of-two 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 (GER) in 1979.

Originally from the Hook peninsula in Co Wexford, they would later make their home in Co Meath. A picture of Con’s father Patsy Power 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.

Con originally started his career as a jockey but moved into eventing and show jumping in his later teenage years after he grew too tall for racing. Con’s son Robbie (Puppy) Power continued the Power family racing tradition and was one