Two years ago, Cameron Hanley, winner of the Masters Airbus Group competition at Jumping International de Chantilly, CSI5*, thought he would never ride again.
In 2011, the Irish show jumper’s career was really taking off with Antello Z, until he sustained a knee injury that put him out of commission. After hurting his knee, while playing with his kids, and undergoing 17 operations, Hanley said, “I was told that I could never ride again, nor probably even walk. At present I feel better on a horse than on foot. I cannot run anymore.”
Armed with formidable willpower and extensive physiotherapy, Hanley progressively started riding again, but certain that he could not jump again. What’s more, he had already sold half of Antello Z, who had been entrusted to Michael Whitaker (GBR).
In March last year, Eleonore Paschoud and Yves Bouvier, Swiss owners, decided to “re-equip” Hanley so that he could reach new heights. When they asked him if he had any idea on the horse they could buy, he didn’t hesitate. With great class, Whitaker made resold Antello Z and very rapidly Hanley was back on the winning track, with a third place in the Calgary Grand Prix, after winning another competition at 1m60. But this victory in Chantilly is the first in a Grand Prix and this should open new prospects. “I did not ride him yesterday [July 26th] in the Longines Global Champions’ Tour, but I can confirm that he is my top horse. He has just returned from a month of rest and I am preparing him for the Nations Cup in Dublin where I hope to be selected for the World Equestrian Games.”
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