Kürten drops to 16th in world rankings
The conflict between the two has seen Kürten denied the ride on the likes of Castle Forbes Libertina, CF Cosma and CF Myrtille Paulois, meaning results have been hard to come by for the Antrim rider, who has slipped five places in the rankings.
While the magnificent Libertina was injured for much of last year, the mare was returning to competition when matters came to a head between Kürten and Longford-based Forbes. Tax payments have been cited as one of the reasons for the dispute, which has seen Kürten keeping the five horses at her base in Rheinland, Germany.
Billy Twomey remains the top Irish rider in the rankings, in seventh, while Denis Lynch also holds his ninth place.
Kürten and Lynch continue their hunt for World Cup points tonight in Bordeaux, France, as they bid to secure their qualification for the April final in Leipzig, Germany. Lynch won a 1.50m jump-off last night with All Inclusive. Twomey is also present, but is fifth in the Western European League and guaranteed a place in the final.
- A COLLEGIATE approach is what James Kernan is advocating for the Showjumpers Club as he takes up the chairmanship for the first time.
The Armagh man believes the SJC’s role is easily defined: To improve every aspect of the sport and he strongly believes that only through co-operation with Horse Sport Ireland and ShowjumpingIreland can this be achieved effectively.
“We have, on a national basis, the same objectives as the International Jumping Riders Club. Our aim is to work with HSI and SJI in promoting the sport and we all need to pull together if this is to happen.”
He says the SJC takes a practical approach: “We advise shows as to the right types of classes. We focus on getting the best from the sport to benefit shows, riders and owners. But we also aim to pursue sponsors and are lucky to have the support of Darragh Equestrian and TRI, for example. We also try to devise new competitions, the Chippison Spring League being an example.
“There are other benefits; members of the SJC will get a 10% reduction in fees for the Spring League if they spend €100 or more,” said Kernan, a member of the three-in-a row Aga Khan-winning team in the 1970s.
Kernan was elected to the top position at the club’s AGM last Monday, taking over from Edward Doyle, who moves to vice-chairman.
The Crossmaglen man also recently became vice-chairman of SJI and he feels the organisation is well placed to provide leadership under its new chairman Christy Murphy.
“Ronan Corrigan has done a brilliant job. He has turned the whole thing around and we are now showing a profit. Our new chairperson Christy Murphy has a great feel for the sport. He is only in the position a week or two and is already having an impact and I feel he will continue the good work done by Ronan.”
Kernan feels it would be a disaster if Ireland did not have a show jumping team at next year’s Olympics, saying. “We must qualify for the Olympic Games — London is like a home venue — and the SJC is there to help to achieve that objective if needed.”
September’s European Championships in Madrid are the last opportunity to qualify and Kernan knows to achieve this we need to have everybody on side, including Denis Lynch, who has made himself unavailable for Irish team selection this year.
- THE Cork/Kerry Branch of ShowjumpingIreland is to hold its annual awards dinner on February 26 at the Castle Hotel, Macroom. Tickets are €40 for adults, and €25 for children. Enquiries: 087/2514215.
