Hanley up for repeat victory
“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.
“I have a good chance to be on the European Championship team with Hippica, which is why I am riding Concept at Dublin. I only did one nations cup this season, Copenhagen, and Hippica has been rested, though he will be in La Coruna in Spain this weekend,” he said.
The Frankfurt-based Mayo man was commenting as the RDS outlined details of this year’s show, which takes place from August 8 to 12 and boasts a prize-fund of €700,000. Sunday’s €125,000 Longines Grand Prix and Friday’s Samsung Super League with FEI Nations Cup of Ireland form the features of the 12 international classes. These are bolstered by 35 national jumping competitions that will see well over 1,000 horses and ponies competing at the show, which costs more than €3 million to stage.
Launching the extravaganza yesterday, Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister Seamus Brennan said: “In excess of 27,000 overseas visitors flock to our shores each year to discover for themselves why Ireland is truly the ‘Land of the Horse.’ The show will again put Ireland on the map for the staging of international sporting events.”
Commenting on this year’s show, RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said: “2007 marks the 134th Horse Show, founded to foster and promote Irish equestrianism and the Irish horse industry. This year sees the RDS continue its mission to support the Irish sport horse breeder and producer through ensuring the best Irish-bred horses are showcased at the show. The show also aims to develop a market for Irish-bred horses, set standards and reward improvements in breeding and performance, as well as promote international jumping.”
Dublin Horse Show is one of eight elite venues that form part of the Samsung Super League. However, following relegation last year, Ireland are not in the reckoning, only competing as the host nation. Promotion is one of two priorities for Irish team manager Robert Splaine this year — his riders lead the second division — the other being qualification for the Olympics.
Accordingly, Splaine must juggle his squad, giving due recognition to what is the highlight of Irish equestrian sport, Dublin, while keeping his focus on his two stated goals. As such, his rider/horse combinations for Dublin will not compete in the Europeans, which take place the following week in Mannheim, Germany, and where Ireland must figure in the top three nations not already qualified to book their ticket to next year’s Games.
Nevertheless, Hanley features in a strong Dublin squad bidding to lift the Aga Khan trophy for the first time since 2004. Also on the five-man list are Captain Shane Carey (River Foyle, Cashla Bay and Killossery), Commandant Gerry Flynn (Mo Chroí), Conor Swail (Rivaal and Nepomuk) and Cian O’Connor (Irish Independent Echo Beach, Conahy Clover and Complete, along with Casper for the Land Rover Puissance). All will be aiming to improve on last year’s three international wins by Irish riders.
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