Hanley Makes Return to Show Jumping at Spanish Competition

Mayo's Cameron Hanley makes a long-awaited return to the international show jumping arena this weekend when he lines out with seven of his fellow-countrymen at Olivia in Spain.

German-based Hanley took two years to recover from a freak knee accident that was incurred at home, and the 39 year-old has defied speculation that he might never ride again.

All riders at Olivia line out with a variety of horses, hoping to use the Spanish venue as a warm-up for the long European jumping season ahead.

Irish show jumpers are also out in force in Florida, with nine riders competing at the sixth leg of the Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival, where the Grand Prix takes place on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Denis Lynch is the sole competitor from Ireland at Neumunster in Germany, where he campaigns three horses. Jonathan Gordon is also on his own at Ebreichsdorf's two-star show in Austria, with four horses, with Alex Duffy is the single Irish rider in Vestfold, Norway, competing on three mounts.

In dressage, meanwhile, Ireland's Sonia Zugel will be attempting to equal last weekend's trio of wins at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Florida, where she once again rides Ungaro.