Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 10:45am

Vaulter Joanne continues her winning streak

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Joanne Eccles has won the Nations Cup CHIO for the second year running.

EUROPEAN champion vaulter Joanne Eccles is continuing her domination of the sport, having extended her winning streak in Germany.

Joanne, from Tillicoultry, won the individual female title for the second year running at the Nations Cup CHIO competition in Aachen.

Using her own horse WH Bentley, lunged by her father John Eccles, Joanne (21), who is unbeaten in 2010, finished on an impressive score of 8.291, ahead of Antje Hill from Germany, and Megan Benjamin, of the USA.

In difficult conditions with temperatures touching 36 degrees and against a strong field, Hannah Eccles, Joanne's sister, finished 10th in the individual female competition, with Lucy Philips in 13th, while Ross Foreman finished 11th in the individual male competition.

Together Joanne and Hannah also took part in the Pas de Deux, finishing second.

The scores achieved by Joanne, Ross and also the English Vaulting Squad, which took part in the team competition, meant that Great Britain finished in fifth place overall in the Nations Cup.

Joanne said, "The hot conditions were particularly hard for the horses but I'm delighted with my performance as it was definitely my toughest test to date.

"Most of the European competitors and also the top three Americans who will be competing at the World Equestrian Games later in the year were there, so it was a real confidence boost."