Hanley up for repeat victory

CAMERON HANLEY is the last Irishman to win the grand prix at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show and he is not ruling out a repeat in two weeks’ time.

“Dublin Horse Show has always been important to me. It is the highlight of the Irish equestrian year. I competed there first when I was 14 as a pony rider and I started in internationals classes there about 10 years ago. I won the grand prix in 2000 and this year I will ride SIEC Concept. Certainly, he has the ability to win the grand prix, but he is only nine years old, so that has to be taken into account as well. He had two down in the competition last year, but I am hoping the extra year will tell. He is very consistent. Dublin is a big show and it has a reputation for serious competition, but he has been competing well,” said Hanley of the grey, which again demonstrated its talents last weekend when carrying Hanley to seventh in the Global Tour grand prix at the five-star show in Estoril, Portugal, producing a clear and four faults over the two rounds.

Hanley brought out his number one string, Hippica Kerman, last year for the nations cup. This year, the gelding is not Dublin-bound and Hanley has good reason.