Change overdue in SJAI, admits chairperson
With the association’s procedures coming under scrutiny, following Millstreet’s decision in August to go “independent” of the association and also Cavan’s decision to hold unaffiliated shows, Ms Furlong agreed that change is overdue in the SJAI.
“A sub committee is due to come back this month to address how the benefits of running an affiliated show can be maximised,” said Ms Furlong. “We have to make it more attractive for shows to be affiliated.”
She pointed out the current benefits of affiliation, such as insurance, the imposition of the rules and regulations governing competition, testing procedures, dispute resolution, along with the provision of judges, training and safety and said: “These are in place to safeguard the integrity of the sport. That is our priority. It is vital that an organisation such as the SJAI is in place to ensure that.”
Ms Furlong was speaking yesterday as the association announced a rebate scheme for shows based on levies collected from competitors,
The scheme will see the creation of a Sports Development Fund and, in a press release, the SJAI said: “It is hoped that this will assist in the improvement of facilities and standards at shows. The fund will be in the form of a rebate package offered to shows based on their contribution to the SJAI.”
Ms Furlong said the rebate will be applied automatically and will be based on the levies “collected by the show for the SJAI on behalf of horse and pony owners”.
These levies are the €1.35 applied per entry and the 5% and 10% taken from entry fees for international participation, according to Ms Furlong. The latter has been ring-fenced since the SJAI’s involvement in international involvement was put on hold.
Ms Furlong denied the scheme was in response to the decision of show organisers to hold unaffiliated shows. However, when asked why it had only been endorsed by the executive recently, having been proposed by the management and finance committee last February, Ms Furlong explained this was as the scheme would only be applied at the end of the fiscal year.
She said identified shows had been written to and informed of the rebate scheme and she rejected that the number of shows taking the unaffiliated route was growing.
The rebate percentage scale is as follows, based on the levy contributions in a fiscal year:
€6,000 — €11,999: 5%.
€12,000 — €23,999: 10%.
€24,000 — €39,999: 20%.
€40,000-plus: 25%
Ms Furlong said the last figure was added by the executive to the original proposal of the management and finance committee.
The entry level of €6,000 would suggest that the scheme is geared towards bigger centres.
Millstreet proprietor Noel C Duggan was not overly-impressed yesterday. In August, as he revealed his decision to go independent, he said the “administration contributed nothing, it just takes, takes, takes”.
Yesterday, he described the SJAI scheme as “too little, too late”, adding that “the whole management of the SJAI has been discredited”.
He said his decision to go “independent” of the SJAI “still holds” and he said of the levies collected by him: “The owners and riders will benefit directly through us, not by giving it to the SJAI not to distribute it.”
He said he and his family had shown the way forward in the past: “Millstreet Show is the benchmark, initiatives started here are being replicated throughout the country.”
Meanwhile, the SJAI is expected the confirm the identity of its new director general in the next week. Ms Furlong said: “A contract has been drawn up with an individual and an appointment is imminent.”
* CAPTAIN Shane Carey gave Ireland a fillip yesterday ahead of today’s nations cup in Athens, when victorious in a 1.45m speed class. Riding Hands Free, the Army officer had over a second to spare with one of four clear rounds. One time fault saw Cameron Hanley place fifth with SIEC Concept.
In the feature 1.50m two-phase contest, Capt Gerry Flynn placed sixth with Mo ChroĂ when fastest of the second-round four-faulters. He was followed in seventh by David Quigley on Ashdale Futuro.
Quigley and CS Online also slotted into third in a jump-off class,
Last Sunday, Conor Swail provided the icing on the cake for the Irish contingent at the two-star show in Athens when winning the grand prix,
With Rivaal, the Malahide-based Swail produced a fault-free performance to achieve what was a double at the Greek venue. The 34-year-old and the Dutch-bred gelding teamed up for their first win on Friday in a grand prix qualifier that saw an Irish whitewash, with Cameron Hanley take second and fourth on SIEC Concept and SIEC Livello, respectively, and Capt Shane Carey (African Drum) placing third. For good measure, Swail also placed sixth with VDL Douglas.
David Quigley was also in winning mode, steering Ashdale Futuro across the line in first place in Saturday’s grand prix qualifier. He also finished runner-up in another jump-off class with CS Online.
* BILLY TWOMEY placed third yesterday in the Welcome Stakes at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham with Sue Davies’s eight-year-old mare Wertherroschen.
Cian O’Connor was fastest of the four-faulters with Irish Independent Echo Beach to finish sixth in 1.50m speed class, as Twomey and Whinny Jackson came home in ninth.
On Wednesday, Cheshire-based Twomey claimed the major honours in the senior newcomers championships, taking victory with the six-year old mare Toscane R by almost two seconds.
* HIGHLIGHTS of the Millstreet Horse Show will be shown on Chorus TV Sport tomorrow night at 8pm and 10pm and also on Sunday at 8pm and 9pm.
* THE South Munster Dressage League starts on Sunday, October 22, at Glen Aire Equestrian Centre, Mallow, Co Cork.
Further rounds take place on November 5 and 19.
Entries are prepaid and close on the Tuesday prior to the show.
The South Munster Dressage AGM takes place on Wednesday, November 22, starting at 8pm.
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