New director general for SJAI

THE Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) has appointed a director general almost a year after it dispensed with the previous incumbent.

The man taking up the position from January 2 is Patrick Cully.

In doing so, the 42-year-old from Coonough, Carbery, Co Kildare, will be relinquishing his post as maintenance director with Hewlett-Packard, for whom he has worked for 11 years.

According to the SJAI, Mr Cully was identified as suitable for the job, following a selection process that involved former Irish Sports Council chairman Pat O’Neill and a human resources company in Kildare.

He had not previously applied for the position and, according to the SJAI, had already signed full-time, open-ended contract.

The SJAI said Mr Cully, who is married with two sons, brings with him a lifetime’s experience of involvement with horses.

From a farming background, where equines played a big part, he went on to saddle six point-to-point winners as an amateur licence holder.

He also had a number of bumper and hurdle winners and currently has an active interest in breeding thoroughbreds.

The appointment comes following a process lasting many months. Mr Cully will replace the previous incumbent, Robert Joyce, who found himself out of a job last December when the SJAI controversially opted not to renew his contract.

For much of the interim period, northerner Liz Pottie filled the position on a temporary basis.

A number of months ago, the SJAI was reported to be ready to appoint a new director general, but the selected candidate was said to have turned down the offer.

Late last year, the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) withheld State funding from the SJAI, when it was involved at an international affairs level, saying that among other things, it had to initiate an independent process of appointing a director general.

The SJAI, meanwhile, said it would be formally introducing Mr Cully to the press in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the SJAI’s Cork/Kerry Branch has said that membership cards, or, a driver’s licence, must be presented by those intending to vote at the branch AGM next Thursday in the Drumhall Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry.

The AGM will start at 8pm.