SJAI set to return to the International fold

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is determined to ensure all loose ends are tied up ahead of its official launch on January 1.

On Tuesday, the new umbrella body took a big step forward by concluding negotiations that saw the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) return to the international fold. This ends a controversial episode that began in January of 2006 when the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) banished the SJAI to the sidelines at the behest of the Irish Sports Council.

This prompted the association to withhold its funding for international participation, which it collected through a levy on competition entry fees. The SJAI said at the time it would bank the money, pointing out that the EFI move was temporary. Now, the SJAI must dip into the bank account, as the entrance fee to the international club amounts to €150,000 for the period 2006/’07, with a promise of €250,000 in 2008.