A win wasn’t part of Vinnie Byrne’s grand design in yesterday’s HSI /Blue Grass Spring Tour at Maryville Equestrian Centre in Cork, so when it came it proved a nice bonus.

After seven years making sometimes difficult decisions, Robert Splaine is realistic to know his reappointment as Ireland show jumping manager may not be greeted with unanimous acclaim.

Insurance is the biggest issue facing ShowjumpingIreland, according to Munster Region chairman Tony Hurley, after a quadrupling of the association’s premium to €625,000 for 2013.

The recently-formed Irish Event Riders’ Club has “disassociated” itself from its own survey of riders regarding their experiences with the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) high-performance programme.

ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) chairman Christy Murphy sees nothing wrong in the organisation backing Robert Splaine to remain as Ireland team manager, while affirming that others should be allowed apply for the post.

Commandment John Ledingham has given a qualified expression of interest to becoming Ireland’s next show jumping team manager, James Kernan is in no doubt that he would like the role, while Jack Doyle has said he would “give consideration to it”.

THE return of the National Show Jumping Championships to Ennis Showgrounds can only be described as a victory for the sport and that misnomer that is common sense.

SENIOR rider Michael Ryan says Eventing Ireland must have good cause if it chooses to redirect the money it annually allocates for high performance.

HORSE Sport Ireland’s performance manager for ponies and children on horses, Ian Fearon, yesterday said Ireland should target next year’s inaugural pony and junior nations cup series.

TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to show jumper Benny Kuehnle, 20, following his untimely death.

TIPPERARY show jumper Denis Lynch put himself top of the Global Champions Tour leaderboard on Saturday, when he placed fourth in Monte Carlo.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is determined to ensure all loose ends are tied up ahead of its official launch on January 1.

SHOW jumper Peter Charles yesterday said he would “rule nothing in, or, nothing out” when asked of speculation he is about to change nationality.

THE Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) Jumping Committee yesterday came out in support of Irish show jumping team manager Robert Splaine in his dispute with rider Jessica Kürten.

AN air of expectation more so than optimism permeated the select group at the Equestrian Federation of Ireland’s (EFI) presentation of its jumping committee last Monday.

ROBERT SPLAINE was yesterday officially installed as the manager to the Irish showjumping team and he said his priorities were to stay in the Samsung Nations Cup Super League and to finish in the top five of September’s World Equestrian games, thus qualifying for the Bejing Olympics.

THE new management team for Irish international show jumping will be officially unveiled on Monday, according to the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI).

MICHAEL DOWLING, chairman of the implementation group charged with setting up the umbrella body for equestrianism, yesterday said the ending of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland’s international status should not affect its role in the umbrella organisation.

THE plans of Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) secretary general Dan Butler for Irish international participation this year are coming to fruition.

THE Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) has received more than one application for the post of team manager to the Irish international show jumping team

COMMANDANT John Ledingham will not be applying for the newly-advertised position of team manager to the Irish international show jumping team.

KEVIN BABINGTON says he would welcome the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) taking over selection of the senior show jumping team from the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI).

THE formal ratification of Robert Splaine as chef d’equipe to the senior show jumping team may not take place until January, as the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) has not scheduled an executive meeting until the New Year.

JOHN LEDINGHAM and Robert Splaine are, as expected, the two front-runners for the post of Chef d’Equipe of the Irish Show jumping team following a meeting of riders and management in Dublin yesterday.

A FULL-TIME chef d’équipe for the senior Irish show jumping team is expected to be appointed this month.

RELIEF was the overwhelming feeling emanating from the Irish camp in the final of the Samsung Super League final in Barcelona last Sunday, following the team’s battling performance. But the sense of satisfaction at a task completed was also palpable.

IN the gloom that has surrounded show jumping, there appeared a chink of light this week. Only time will tell if things get any brighter.

Ray Ryan, Agribusiness Correspondent

John Tynan

TURMOIL and recrimination surfaced within the Irish show jumping camp again yesterday, with Harry Marshall the latest rider to pull out of the senior nations cup squad.

IRELAND’S misery in the European Show Jumping Championships was complete yesterday, when the team was eliminated from the competition in San Patrignano, Italy.

IRELAND’S aspirations in the European Show Jumping Championships were dealt a crushing blow yesterday with the withdrawal of Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond and Roberts Splaine.

IRELAND’S Nations Cup campaign could be without the services of Kevin Babington this season, transport costs for Carling King threatening his participation.

THE announcement of Eddie Macken as Olympic team trainer by the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) selectors this week, will, hopefully, bring the curtain down on the unfortunate controversy that had sprung up around the position.

A NOTE of disharmony emerged this week in the Olympic show jumping camp, with some of the long-list of riders ensuring Eddie Macken was installed as team trainer in place of original choice Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Mullins.