SJAI vow to follow through on Cavan show sanctions
Director General Patrick Cully said the association was “working through its process” that would see those who breached the SJAI rule barring participation at unaffiliated shows initially issued with a warning. Further flouting of the rule would be followed by more serious punishment.
He said: “We have reason to believe a small minority of officials and members did participate, but I stress this needs to be clarified. We are currently working through identifying what members participated.”
Mr Cully would not say how members and officials who took part in the show could be identified, but he stressed the rule would be enforced.
“We are going to penalise people. A first offence will result in a warning being issued. A second breach of the rule results in a monetary fine and a third will see a suspension imposed,” he said.
The SJAI rule on unaffiliated shows states: Members are not allowed to compete as owner, rider or to officiate in any capacity other than medical officer, veterinary officer, first aid or farrier at shows not affiliated to the SJAI which offer a prize fund of more than €50/£50 per class.
Shows run under the auspices of the SJAI must pay an affiliation fee, determined by the prize fund on offer at the show. In addition, the SJAI takes a portion of entry fees.
Mr Cully said show jumping had to be governed and the SJAI was determined to see its rules respected.
“We consider this a serious issue. We know that the bulk of people are supportive of what we are doing. We think it only fair to expect all our members to adhere to our rules,” he said.
Talks last week between the SJAI and Cavan owners, the Clarke family, failed to yield a compromise, but Mr Cully said the SJAI was hopeful a settlement could be reached.
“We gave Cavan the option to affiliate last week, which was quite late and was something we would not normally do,” he said. “We have not been in contact with Cavan this week, but intend to. We are always open to negotiation. We would prefer to see Cavan working under the SJAI umbrella. We want them on board.”
The SJAI moved to tackle the issue of unaffiliated shows after it came to the fore last year.
Cavan, like many centres across the country, had run such events and then Millstreet organiser Noel C Duggan declared he was going to run independently of the SJAI. It is believed that he and the SJAI subsequently reached a settlement, but, with such major venues adopting a go-it-alone policy, alarm bells rang in SJAI headquarters.
Cavan, meanwhile, stages an affiliated pony show this weekend and Mr Cully said: “To minimise the impact on members, we have accepted Cavan’s affiliation this weekend.”
A representative for Cavan EC refused to comment.
Steven Smith has taken the lead in the Blue Grass Eventing Super League following victory at Tyrella last weekend.
The Armagh man jumped to pole position after winning with Ringfort Rara Ruby on his dressage score of 30.4 penalties to top the league standings on 11 points. His performance saw him overtake Limerick man Michael Ryan, who remains on the six points he garnered for his win in the opening round in Ballindenisk on Dances With Wolves.
Ryan has been joined in second place by his wife Patricia Donegan, who picked up two points last weekend when fifth on Fernhill Clover Mist.
For good measure, Smith also placed second in Tyrella on Fernando, which has put the pairing into fourth place on the league table with five points. Jayne Doherty is in fifth place with Art Attack after finishing third last weekend. The next leg of the seven-leg leagues takes place at Kilmanahan on May 13. The league winner picks up €2,000, with the runner-up pocketing €1,000. There is €500 for third place.
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