Splaine confident Ireland can stay in elite League

TEAM manager Robert Splaine yesterday said he was confident Ireland could maintain its place in the elite Samsung Super Show Jumping League.

The veteran rider, in the first year of his four-year tenure, said his confidence was based on the ability of the riders to rise to the occasion. The challenge is big, as Ireland currently occupy last place in the eight-country league, a position that ensures relegation.

But, with just three rounds remaining: Hickstead on Friday, Dublin next month and the final in Barcelona in September, Splaine is hopeful that the situation can be turned around.

“We have a great team spirit and a squad of excellent riders. We all know where we stand in the league and we all know what we have to achieve. But, we are putting out good teams at all the venues and I am confident that this will ensure our Super League status for next year,” he said.

The Corkman, speaking as the Royal Dublin Society issued details of this year’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, was loath to throw hostage to fortune in predicting a Dublin win. While he conceded the home venue afforded some advantage, ultimately, the team, which will be named next week, will face the same fences as the opposition.

“Dublin is a Super League show and, as such, is of the highest standard. I firmly believe we have a bunch of riders that is capable of winning anywhere and, while the crowd will be behind us, at the end of the day, you still have to perform in the ring,” he said.

Acutely conscious that last year’s Dublin Horse Show was racked with controversy over team selection, Splaine is determined that, in his first year in charge at the Irish showcase, his squad remains focussed and is not distracted by possible divisive disputes.

As such, the decision of world number two rider Jessica Kurten to opt out of the squad for next month’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) saw Splaine refer only to Monday’s Equestrian Federation of Ireland press release announcing that Kürten had been taken off the WEG long-list.

German-based Kurten’s decision to focus on shows in Canada and Russia rather than Dublin and the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, came after Splaine left her off the nations cup team in Lucerne, Switzerland, when her horse Castle Forbes Maike did not impress in the preceding days.

She has said she will not ride for Ireland while Splaine is team manager. While she was originally on the WEG long-list issued by the EFI last week, her name was scratched on Monday after it emerged in Friday’s Irish Examiner that she was making alternative plans.

The Dublin Horse Show takes place from August 9-13 and over a thousand horses and ponies, with representatives from every county in Ireland and numerous countries set to compete at the Ballsbridge venue.

The nations cup will form the feature on Friday, but Sunday’s Longines Grand Prix, with a prize fund of €120,000, will also guarantee a full house. The Land Rover Puissance, another class that always garner’s huge interest, is among a further 10 international competitions in what is the show’s 133rd year.