Cameron Hanley still coming to terms with loss of top rides
Just the day before, he was competing three of the mounts, owned by Eleonore Paschoud and Yves Bouvier, at the five-star show in Basel, Switzerland, unaware of what was looming.
Fast forward to Wednesday and the German-based Mayoman is still taking stock of the situation, hours before the mounts are transferred to the Swiss yard of Pius Schwizer, who will be joined by up-and-coming 17-year-old Morgan Dassio, who already competes two horses for Paschoud and Bouvier.
“I found out on Monday morning,” said Hanley. “The owners said they wanted to have the horses in Switzerland, closer to home, and to support the Swiss team. I can understand that, but honestly, for me, I see it in two ways, in that I was lucky to have the horses and appreciate the way the owners supported me in the past two years. They were happy with way things were going, but wanted to go in a different direction. Before I took up the ride on the horses, they were based in Switzerland. With all owners, you always have to be aware this can happen.”
It is a measure of Hanley that, even as he is losing practically his total string, he spot checks the “support” shown by the owners. He is referring to the two years he has competed since his recovery from a freak accident in 2011 that saw him rupture his patella tendon while jumping fences on foot as he played with his children at their German home. It took 17 operations and a two-year lay-off before Hanley defied predictions and returned to competitive action in February 2013, partnering the horses of Paschoud and Bouvier, who branded the team ‘EuroAsia’, the name of the latter’s company.
Unfortunately, though, the Swiss owners sought exclusivity with Hanley, meaning he rode only their horses, along with Living The Dream, which they shared 50/50.
“I had eight horses and part of the deal was that I only rode for them, but I knew the risk of having all my eggs in one basket and I accepted that.”
Thus, it is the end of the road for his partnership with Antello Z, Hanley’s mount at last year’s World Equestrian Games, along with Amira, Newton du Haut Bois, Caretina de Joter, Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen and Player du Quesnoy.
As for his top horse, Living The Dream, he says negotiations are continuing regarding the 10-year-old gelding’s future.
“I would like to continue to ride him, but we need to talk about it. He’s staying with me for the moment. I suspect it is a case of one of us buying out the other,” said Hanley.
Meanwhile, the Claremorris man is dealing with a much more welcome change, having only just completed a move from the yard of his brother Carl to start afresh in Osnabrük, an hour’s drive north of Dortmund.
“It is my first time to have my own place and it will be very manageable. It has 18 boxes, two sand rings, an indoor, and is perfect for me.
“Honestly, though, at this stage, I don’t know where I will go from here, competition wise. What has happened has knocked the wind out of my sails, but when it sinks in, I will start making new plans. I’ll start with the young horses and go from there, but at least I have a really good base to work from.
“Of course, I would love to get horses to ride at the top level again, but it is difficult, I am under no illusions. I will be very lucky to find top horses, but I have young horses and will try to build from there.
“Previously, I lost the ride on the Sabanci horses. I’m 41 now and I have a lot of experience, and have been through pretty much everything. I am capable of bouncing back, and I would like to, but I’m a realist and there is no guarantee. It takes so much time and effort to get to the top level.”
Hanley was also heartened by messages on Facebook from fans and friends expressing confidence in his ability to rebound.
“The level of support and encouragement that has been shown to me has been a big help. I really get the impression that people care and it is really humbling.”
* Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine has selected the Furusiyya Nations Cup Series opener in Lummen, Belgium, as one of the four shows at which his charges will seek points, if you are to believe what appeared on the internet this week.
The Europe Division 1 calendar featured on a number of equestrian sites this week, but not on the FEI website. The organisation yesterday ignored a request to explain why, or even if the calendar had been decided, only saying it would be “publishing the entire calendar (Division 1 and 2) “soon”.
It seems, though, that Ireland will also bid for points at La Baule, France, along with St Gallen, Switzerland, and the final in Dublin.
The series will feature 10 teams and eight venues. For the second year, Aachen, Germany, will not host a leg.
Europe Division 1: Lummen, Belgium (Apr 29 to May 3), La Baule, France (May 14-17), Rome, Italy (May 21-24), St Gallen, Switzerland (June 4-7), Rotterdam, Netherlands, (June 17-21), Falsterbo, Sweden (July 9-12), Hickstead, UK (July 30 to Aug 2), Dublin (Aug 5-9).
* Tomorrow sees the second grand prix of the $8.5m Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, with $50,000 on offer. Last year, it was won by Ronan McGuigan on Capall Zidane.
Conor Swail ensured Ireland got off to a good start in the first GP last Sunday, when second with Grafton to American Todd Minikus and Cordonos. Meanwhile, Tipperary’s Denis Lynch (Abbervail Van Het Dingeshof and Querida 75) and Thomas Ryan (Quite Zero) carry Irish hopes at the five-star World Cup show in Leipzig, Germany.
lThe decision to put the Emerald Equestrian Centre on the market after staging just one major show was not due to intimidation, proprietor Noel Buckley told RTÉ this week.
The Co Kildare centre, formerly known as Jessbrook when owned by convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau and subsequently bought last year for €500,000 by the Buckley family, who reportedly spent about €1.5m on its renovation.
Noel Buckley told the national broadcaster: “We’ve had nothing but goodwill from the locals. We’ve had several of the local people working here helping us with the project, no, no intimidation, whatsoever.”
RTÉ reported that the Buckleys said they were selling, as Noel’s son James, the joint owner, had an accident and Noel can’t run it by himself.
It said the family expect to make a profit from the sale. The centre has held just one major event, the ‘Irish Masters’, last November.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
