Joanne Eccles wins her first vaulting World Cup qualifier

Vaulter Joanne Eccles started her 2011/12 season in high style by winning the FEI World Cup Qualifier in Salzburg (3-4 December).

Her sister Hannah was 8th in the same competition.

They both competed on WH Bentley – known as “Henry” – who was lunged by their father John Eccles.

The girls travelled home for a week at university before flying out to Paris for the next qualifier next weekend.

But John and the horse have gone directly to the Salon de Cheval show for the fourth World Cup round of the season (9-10 December).

The girls are chasing qualifying points to complete in the inaugural FEI World Cup Vaulting final in Bordeau, France (4-5 February).

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