Duggan goes ‘independent’ of SJAI
Speaking yesterday at his family’s annual Millstreet Horse Show, Mr Duggan referred to the controversies that have hit show jumping and what he feels is the poor handling of these by organisations that administer the sport.
“We have gone independent. Full Stop. Twelve months ago, I said: ‘The quicker it gets worse, the sooner it gets better’. It has got worse. It is long since past the time for change. The administration — the SJAI and the EFI (Equestrian Federation of Ireland) — contributes nothing, it just takes, takes, takes. What has gone on in the past 12 months has done irreparable damage to the sport I and my family have invested in over the past 35 years. That investment is witnessed this week with 11 arenas and an increase in 41% in entries,” said Mr Duggan.
Cavan Equestrian Centre is also said to be among venues planning shows that will be unaffiliated to the SJAI. However, the Cavan centre yesterday said nobody was available to comment on the issue.
Every show run under the auspices of the SJAI must pay an affiliation fee, which is determined by the prizefund on offer at the show. In addition, the SJAI receives one euro from each entry fee, which goes towards sport development. Also taken from the entry fee are amounts of 5% and 10% (for horse competitions measured at 1.30m and upwards). Originally spent on international participation, this money has been ring-fenced since the Equestrian Federation of Ireland took over sole control of international participation.
This week, Millstreet Horse Show has entries of more than 6,000.
SJAI chairwoman Patricia Furlong conceded that it “is a serious development for the sport and competitors”.
“I have only heard of Cavan running one unauthorised show, which is in November. I have heard of no other shows doing likewise,” she said.
“I have offered to meet with Cavan to discuss issues they have, or any other show that feels the need to do so. I will listen and bring their views forward to the board of the SJAI.
“I will be in Millstreet this weekend and look forward to talking to Noel C Duggan.”
She rejected the notion that SJAI points carried less value with the system operating in recent years where horse competitions are run according to the height of the fence. Previously, the number of points gained by an animal determined the competition he could be jumped in and were a reflection of his ability, but Ms Furlong said: “Points gained at SJAI authorised shows still count for something. They are important, for example, in respect of performance in terms of the Irish Horse Board evaluation.”
Ms Furlong also rejected reports that the SJAI had opted not to take up its four seats on the board of the Horse Sport Ireland (HIS) when it is formed.
She said: “We are awaiting clarification on two questions, but we are very positive about the formation of an umbrella body.”
Chairman of the committee charged with setting up HSI Michael Dowling said he would be very surprised if the SJAI would give up their seats.
“I understand the SJAI are concerned about the cost of membership of Horse Sport Ireland. They should have no significant fears, though, as I expect the new organisation will have greater public funding, so, there should be no significant increase in costs. But that is a matter to be decided by the board of HSI,” said the former secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
“Requirements of membership will be drawn up the interim board and the SJAI, who will have representation on this and will be involved in deciding the membership requirements,” said Mr Dowling.
He said he did not see these concerns as insurmountable and the Irish Horse Board had met last week and given their backing to the plan for Horse Sport Ireland.
“I hope the SJAI will make their decision in a short time, following which the interim board will be set up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Conor Swail gave himself the perfect boost ahead of today’s grand prix at Millstreet with victory in the show’s first open horse class yesterday.
First to go in an eight-horse jump-off, he threw down a gauntlet that nobody could pick up, his time of 29.39 seconds on Ard VDL Douglas forcing his rivals to fault in their bid to beat the time.
Swail will today bid to extend his lead in the Boswell Equestrian Grand Prix League in what is the first of a double header at Millstreet, with €10,000 on offer in Sunday’s grand prix.
lTHE Irish show jumping team to compete at the World Equestrian Games was announced yesterday the Equestrian Federation of Ireland: Shane Breen (World Cruise), Cian O’Connor (Waterford Crystal), Cameron Hanley (SIEC Hippica Kerman), Billy Twomey (Luidam). Marie Burke’s superb third place in the Dublin Horse Show grand prix with Chippison has seen her installed as the reserve by chef d’equipe Robert Splaine.
The games opening ceremony takes place this Sunday in Aachen, Germany.
First to carry Irish hopes in the competition arena are dressage riders Anna Merveldt (Lafitte) and Judy Reynolds (Rathbawn Valet). The competition begins on Tuesday with a grand prix.
The eventing competition begins on Thursday with the first of two days of dressage. The cross-country is on Saturday, followed by the show jumping phase on Sunday. Ireland’s standard bearers in eventing are Lt Geoff Curran (Balladeer Alfred), Niall Griffin (Lorgaine), Mark Kyle (Drunken Disorderly), Sacha Pemble (I’ve Been Dun), Michael Ryan (Old Road),
Sarah Wardell (Kilcluny). Jonty Evans (Cregwarrior) and Austin O’Connor with Swynnerton are the reserves, with Brendan Corscadden the chef d’equipe and Lars Christensson the team coach.
The show jumping competition begins on Tuesday week with a speed class, with a jump-off class on Wednesday.
The team title is concluded on Thursday, while the best 25 riders go forward to the first of two competitions to decide the individual title on Saturday. On Sunday, the best four riders fight it out for the title, in a competition that sees each ride all their rivals horses.
Ireland’s hopes in the driving competition will be carried by Barry Capstick (Wilson, Rubin, Danjo, Noely, Bristol 1 and Grafitti) in a competition that begins on August 30.
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