Hanley wins Show Jumper of Year Award

Cameron Hanley received the Show Jumper of the Year Award for 2009 at the Show Jumpers' Club Awards Ball in Kildare on Saturday night.

Along with Hanley, awards were also made to Darragh Kenny for Rookie of the Year, and to Alex Duffy for Young Rider of the Year.

There were also special awards were given to 16-year-old Kellie Allen for her European Pony Individual Gold Medal achievement at Moorsele in Belgium in August, and to the Irish Pony European Team for their silver medal.

The Show of the Year Award was presented to Mullingar International.

Hanley finished individual fourth in the European Show Jumping Championships at Windsor in England last August, riding Sevil Sabanci's 'SIEC Livello'.

Hanley also recorded an enviable number of wins and top ten places at shows throughout Europe, as well as making various Nations' Cup team appearances for Ireland, in what was one of his best years to date.

Offaly-born Kenny won the World Cup Qualifier competition at
Syracuse in New York in October with 'Obelix', while 20-year-old Duffy made several successful Nations' Cup appearances for his country.