Criticism sparks Eventing Ireland board meeting

THE board of Eventing Ireland met last night under fire from riders, owners and event organisers.

All three interest groups met this week to discuss grievances and formulate queries to put to the board.

Foremost among the areas raising the ire of the interest groups is the European Championships debacle, where a team of just four riders was selected by former performance manager Lars Christensson. The Swede shortly afterwards quit, but an Eventing Ireland panel ratified his decision not to choose the maximum of six riders. Ultimately, a team of just two riders completed the championships and attempts to qualify for next year’s Olympics ended on a whimper. While the explanation that Ireland did not have the rider/horse of sufficient calibre, it is felt that horses existed that would have benefited from championship experience.