EFI backs Irish manager Splaine in jumping row with Kürten
A statement said: “With reference to the recent statements made regarding Robert Splaine in the media, the EFI Jumping Committee wishes to state that it fully supports the team manager, and that the selection of horses, riders and teams is done on the basis of results and form. It also believes that Jessica Kürten’s unavailability for both the 2006 Dublin Horse Show and the World Equestrian Games has been her decision.
“The committee was formed to manage the sport of international show jumping for Ireland, and this includes many riders and horses. The committee believes that it cannot suspend its code of practice at the behest of one rider, no matter who that rider might be.”
Kürten, the world number two rider, has said she will not compete on an Irish team while Splaine is manager, following the Cork man’s failure to name her on the team for the Swiss Nations’ Cup in Lucerne.
Splaine had watched his five-rider squad compete on the day prior to the Nations’ Cup and formed the opinion that Kürten’s horse Castle Forbes Maike was not his best option for the four-rider team.
Disappointed at this, Kürten left the show prior to the start of the Nations’ Cup.
The Antrim woman is ranked number two in the world, largely by virtue of her performances on her other horses, Quibell and Castle Forbes Libertina.
There was hope she could be convinced to line out at next week’s Dublin Horse Show and the World Equestrian Games, which begin this month in Aachen, Germany.
However, just under two weeks ago she revealed in the Irish Examiner she was making alternative plans.
She said she wished to compete in Dublin, but rejected the notion that she should prove herself at the show, claiming she deserved an automatic place on the team by virtue of her world ranking and Quibell’s ranking as number three horse in the world.
Last year, the German-based rider refused to ride alongside a team with Cian O’Connor, while also questioning the management structure in a year of turmoil for Irish international show jumping.
The structure was changed this year, with the EFI taking up sole control of team selection. In doing so, it denied the Show Jumping Association of Ireland any input. A jumping committee was formed, which along with Splaine, includes chairman John Ledingham and advisors Tommy Brennan and James Kernan.
Splaine selects each squad with input from the committee. There has been no disagreement as to the make-up of any squad this year, according to the EFI.
Kürten’s decision not to ride for Ireland comes as her compatriots battle relegation from the Samsung Super League. Ireland is last in the eight-country league with next week’s Dublin Horse Show the penultimate round, followed by the final in Barcelona next month (September).
On Sunday, she finished fourth in a competitive grand prix in Spain on Libertina and her inclusion in the Irish team would, without question, be a major asset.
Last year, Ireland maintained its Super League status by the skin of its teeth, with Billy Twomey and Anastasia III providing a clear round in Barcelona when nothing else would do. Yesterday, the Cheshire-based Cork man was named on the team for Dublin along with the mare and his stallion Luidam.
Luidam is only just returned to competition following a long injury lay off.
Twomey said he is confident “he is back to his 100% best”.
Also on the team for Dublin is: Marion Hughes (Heritage Transmission); Cameron Hanley (SIEC Hippica Kerman), Cian O’Connor (Waterford Crystal and Irish Independent Echo Beach), and Captain Shane Carey (Killossery).
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