MICHAEL G Duffy is to take up a new role as competition rider for Carl Hanley Sporthorses (CHS) in Germany from November 1st.

The 20-year-old young rider from Ballina, Co Mayo, will take over from Clare rider Eoin McMahon (21), who is to ride for up and coming German rider Andreas Kreuzer after several years at Hanley’s yard.

Confirming the appointment of Duffy as his new rider, Carl Hanley said he was very excited about Duffy joining the team in Ostercappeln.

“We are very excited to announce our new competition rider at CHS will be Michael G Duffy,who will start riding for us from the beginning of November.

“Michael is a very successful young rider with already numerous championship medals at young rider European championships including this year winning the gold medal with the Irish team.

“Michael and his family have always been very close to us and we are very much looking forward to working with him!”

The son of well-known producers Vinny and Sandra Duffy from Knockmore, Ballina, Michael is the youngest of their five children and follows in the footsteps of his older brother Alex. He also rode for Carl Hanley for a number of years before riding for Bertram Allen and then setting up his own yard.

Hanley added: “Eoin McMahon has been forced to stop riding for a few months due to back problems that require a course of treatments. When his back problems are repaired and he can ride again he will start as competition rider for the Andreas Kreutzer’s stables,” he explained.

FAMILY

“Over the past three years Eoin has been like family to us as well as helping us hugely with developing our horses and business further with his many successes in the ring, we wish Eoin all the success he deserves in the future with his new venture at the Kreutzer stables!”

Michael Duffy has been warming up for his new role by jumping horses for Carl’s brother Cameron while he recuperates from shoulder surgery.

Duffy took the ride on Cameron’s mount Clim Bim at Peelbergen show last weekend, jumping a double clear to finish seventh in the middle tour final.