Burke: it’s time for all to pull together

IT is a measure of the respect and affection with which show jumper Marie Burke is held that, following her surprise axing by manager Robert Splaine from the European Championships team in Mannheim last month, she was the subject of much condolence.

She is a genuine, uncomplicated person, who rather than dabble in the politics and current public discussion of show jumping team selection, prefers to remain anonymous. She is perceived, rightly, as someone who prefers to do her talking on the field of play.

Burke came under sustained pressure to air her grievances following Mannheim — including an invite to appear on RTÉ Radio One with Marian Finucane — but declined all offers.

However, this week she said she had only one message: that everyone should put a collective effort into achieving promotion.

“I felt badly done by at Mannheim, but we all need to pull together and get back into the Samsung Super League,” said the Clare woman, who has been selected by Splaine for the squad to compete in the nations cup in Lisbon in two weeks.

She appreciates why riders such as Shane Breen and Denis Lynch feel they have reason to be disgruntled and are outspoken on team selection, but says: “We must move on. Everyone must put their personal grievances aside and work for the good of the team.”

This is not solely about altruism. There is a selfish element, in that Burke wants a crack again at Samsung Super League action. With Chippison a stallion, such exposure brings more business.

“I have no Olympics, there is a not a lot to aim for personally, which is why returning to the Samsung Super League is so important to me,” said Burke, who added: “If Chippison was not a stallion, he would definitely be sold.”

The Ennis woman’s attitude would be welcomed by Splaine, who, in Prague today, sends out the same team that finished fourth last Friday in the nations cup in Gijon, Spain.

Like Burke, he is also reluctant to discuss what he considers “in-house” issues, preferring to focus on competition matters. Thus, of last Friday’s fourth place in Gijon, he conceded he was “disappointed”.

“We could have done better, but that’s show jumping. We still got a score that counted.”

The Corkman said it was possible he will field teams at the four remaining shows after Prague, if that is what is required to gain promotion. This includes sending a team to the final fixture, in Buenos Aires, which would require a considerable financial outlay.

“Yes, we may do all of them and we will certainly look at Buenos Aires, if it comes to it,” he said.

“We must put our best effort into what is remaining and, with a number of nations cups close together, it will take thought and planning as to what teams we put out.”

Ireland lead the FEI Nations Cup Series on 74 points, but Italy’s second in Gijon has seen them displace the Danes from second place, the two countries on 63 points and 60, respectively.

However, with Denmark counting only six of the allowed seven scores, they will not be discarding any points today. Splaine agreed this was likely to change the league landscape, but he figured it was unlikely they would knock Ireland off the top, where they must remain to book their place in the Super League.

“It could alter the picture, but it is unlikely they will get ahead of us, though they have a strong team in Prague,” said Splaine, who added: “All indications are that the Danes will not take in all the remaining shows.”

Meanwhile an Equestrian Federation of Ireland spokesman yesterday said: “Several riders have been sent letters by the EFI reminding them that under EFI rules and regulations, there is an appeals system in place for grievances and it is recommended to those riders that they use that system rather than airing their grievances to the media.”

MICHAEL RYAN and Master Mexico were last Saturday crowned champions of the Blue Grass Superleague following their win in the Advanced Intermediate class at Loughanmore.

Indicative of the Cork-based Limerick man’s dominance was the fact he was also the reserve champion on Dances With Wolves.

Master Mexico, an eight-year-old gelding by Master Imp, is owned by Donal Healy and bred by John Campbell in County Wexford. He carried Ryan to victory in the CCI two star at Punchestown.

Dances with Wolves is a nine-year-old Chakiris gelding owned jointly by Naomi James and Michael’s wife, Patricia.

FOLLOWING the success of last Sunday’s Banteer Charity Show, the action returns to the north Cork venue for the Cork/Kerry Branch annual show.

The feature is the Irish Horse Board/Ballymaloe Country Relish Ladies 1.10m Final. The top six riders from 12 qualifiers will compete on Sunday for 4,000.

The show boasts a total purse of 11,000, including a competition for a show jumping fence, sponsored by course designer James Tarrant. There is also an Open 1.20m class and Open 1.10 class, with 1,000 on offer for each. They incorporate qualifiers for the Cork/Kerry Young Riders League.

The amateur class has 400 in prizes, including two stable mats, provided by Riverstick Industries.