Duggan goes ‘independent’ of SJAI

GREEN GLENS owner Noel C Duggan, the organiser of what is arguably Ireland’s biggest show jumping event, yesterday confirmed that he is to run independently of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (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.