Equestrian: Hanley and Rocksinna star in Verona
Monday November 09 2009
Irish showjumpers continued their competitive run of form with Cameron Hanley winning yesterday's 2-Phase class at the 5-Star fixture in Verona, Italy where Cian O'Connor was runner-up in Saturday's Speed event.
Hanley knew where to cut his corners when, third-last into the ring, he galloped through the finish with VDL Rocksinna to spoil Guilia Martinengo's effort to secure Italy's fourth victory at the World Cup fixture.
Hanley and the 11-year-old Rocksinna set the target in Saturday's Speed event but was first overtaken by Holland's Eric Van der Vleuten and then O'Connor with the ever-reliable Irish Independent Echo Beach.
A tiny rub of a pole cost this partnership dearly in Friday's opener but they slotted into runner-up spot this time around when only Frenchman Julien Epaillard returned a faster time.
- The Irish were out of luck in yesterday's Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier won by Britain's Michael Whitaker and Amai.
Hanley and SIEC Livello collected 16 faults while O'Connor's Rancorrado had 10 faults.
- Louise Parkes
Irish Independent
