Criticism sparks Eventing Ireland board meeting
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.
The accounts are also under scrutiny, with the board asked to explain where money is being spent.
The vast majority of those at last Tuesday’s owners’ meeting demanded the appointment of a full-time paid chief executive and any further appointments be delayed until this occurs.
Other areas aired at the meeting were:
* Performance management — with a demand that more money be put into underage squads.
* Competitions — there was support for improving elements of competitions, including looking at the Northern Region model (with a particular reference to the standard of show jumping). A question was asked: what has the board done since its inception to improve events?
* Communications — it was suggested that the minutes of board meetings and periodic financial accounts be posted on the Eventing Ireland website.
* The selection process for Le Lions d’Angers, including the relevance of the Irish Horse Board.
* The role of the regions, with a proposal that the board, team leaders and regional chairman discuss this.
* Objectives — these should be reviewed, ensuring they are achievable.
It is felt that, unless the board, under chairman Neil Morris, comes up with satisfactory answers, the situation could turn ugly. There is even talk that the event organisers will pull the plug on up to 19 events next year. Whether this is sabre rattling remains to be seen.
There was no information released from last night’s meeting at the time of going to press.
Hopefully, though, the board’s deliberations will bring an end to the difficulties in a sport that, until recently, was considered the model for other equestrian organisations.
lTOM SLATTERY yesterday paid tribute to Florida-based show jumper Niall Grimes, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack at an event in Kentucky last weekend.
Aged just 31, he hailed from Enniscrone, Co Sligo, and had been based in Florida since 2000, initially with US rider Laura Kraut.
Prior to that he had spent two years with the Slatterys and yesterday Tom described him as “the nicest guy, hard-working and talented”.
“He spent two years with me after finishing college. He was a really nice guy, dedicated and trustworthy. He really enjoyed life. He was talented and wanted to learn. He was highly thought of in the US,” said Slattery, who kept in regular touch with Grimes.
Grimes was at the ringside of the Kentucky event when he collapsed. Treated by medics, he was hospitalised but died on Wednesday.
A memorial service was held in Kentucky yesterday.
* THE Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) is continuing to pursue the medication violation case against Jessica Kürten, despite her lawyer claiming its decision to bar her representative from witnessing the analysis of the B sample taken from the horse Castle Forbes Maike contravened World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
Lawyer Ulf Walz wrote to WADA to confirm its rule that an athlete and/or its representative be permitted to “attend the B sample analysis” applied to the FEI.
Yesterday, the FEI reiterated that its rules allowed a rider’s representative to be present only for the identification and opening of the sample. It said its Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules were drawn up in conjunction with WADA.
A spokeswoman said that, while it had received the results of the B sample test: “We are awaiting the original documentation from the laboratory, as we want to make sure we have all the facts before proceeding.”
Kürten was competing in La Baule, France, in May when Maike was tested. It is believed the A sample indicated a violation on the lower end of the scale.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
