Hanley scoops German Winning Round competition

DESPITE recording the slowest zero score in tonight’s (Saturday) first round of the Winning Round competition at the five-star World Cup show in Stuttgart, Germany, Mayo’s Cameron Hanley put the foot to the boards on his second outing to snatch the 7,500 euro first prize.

Eleven of the 40 starters managed to go clear, but Hanley’s slow first round time meant he had the disadvantage of being first to jump in the second round.

Riding his own 12 year-old bay gelding Antello Z, the Irish rider nevertheless set down a blistering final round time of 34.49 seconds, and despite being pursued by some of the world’s top 20-ranked riders, held on to his lead, finally relegating Germany’s World Number Three Daniel Deusser and First Class van Eeckelghem to the runner-up spot by just under a second.

In Neeroeteren in Belgium, meanwhile, Ireland’s pony quartet of Patrick Hickey, Tyrone Flanagan, Elisha O’Connor and Abbie Sweetnam took victory in the show’s team competition after a three-way jump-off tonight. The team won a three-way jump off against Belgium and Great Britain, and the Irish scores were:

Ireland team Patrick Hickey – New Forge Lady 0/0/0, Tyrone Flanagan – Talyas Diamond Link 0/0/4, Elisha O’Connor – Hazelbergs Erik 0/4/4, Abbie Sweetnam – Spartacus Reape 4/0/0

Cameron Hanley and Antello Z. Picture: Xavier Boudon/Pixizone