Corrigan threats ‘disgusting’

THIS week it emerged that:

* Gardaí are investigating the sending of spent shotgun cartridges to former ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) chairman Ronan Corrigan.

* SJI is investigating how the A samples from up to nine horses have tested positive in the past three months.

* The independent investigation of SJI’s insurance policy is complete.

Firstly, threats to Corrigan’s health are not new and he revealed in the Irish Examiner last August that he had received six menacing letters, including one in which, he said, a “person told me I would want to make sure my lorry had a fire extinguisher on it. Another asked how secure was the yard for my horses”.

He chose then not to inform the gardaí. This time it’s different.

For someone send ammunition is a serious worry, brings shame to those who profess to be show jumping fans and, by association the sport itself.

The delivery to the SJI offices and Corrigan’s home of the ammunition was described as “disgusting” by chairman Christy Murphy in yesterday’s Irish Examiner. The letters warned Corrigan to quit his position, be it as chairman of the SJI’s Management and Finance Committee or as a consultant to the organisation.

Murphy said: “Ronan received the cartridges, accompanied by threatening notes, last week. It gave him one week to get out of his position. It said something along the lines of: ‘You f**ker get out and, if you don’t, we have the lads that will get you out’.”

A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “We have received a complaint in relation to the issue and an investigation is underway.”

Corrigan said there were various “possibilities” why someone would stoop to such behaviour.

Secondly, show jumping has to contend with the fact that up to nine blood samples from horses tested positive for a prohibited substance on the domestic circuit since May. B samples have been sent to Paris for testing, while at least one has come back negative.

It is a serious development, but the SJI consider that the riders may be victims of circumstance. The corticoid Betamethasone was one of the substances discovered.

“I would not see this as damaging for the sport,” said Corrigan. “This shows the testing regime is working and more testing is being done this year. The SJI is working from the assumption that the riders are not deliberately setting out to enhance the performance of their horses. We believe it is more a case of inadvertent than deliberate use by the riders. Betamethasone is not uncommon in creams, which could be used on other animals in a yard, for instance, then makes its way into horses.

“Fines are determined on a case-by-case basis, but they range from €500 to €2,000. Suspensions are determined by the SJI disciplinary panel, but this only takes place in extreme instances. These are prohibited substances in that they are permitted for use in horses, but not during competition. Banned substances, which should never be found, would almost automatically result in a suspension,” said Corrigan, adding A samples from approximately six horses were positive in 2010, with some confirmed by B samples.

Thirdly, the HSI-initiated independent review of the SJI insurance was on the agenda for a meeting of the latter’s executive last night. A statement is expected today. The executive was also due to discuss a finding from the Competition Authority on a complaint by Millstreet’s Noel C Duggan. The Authority yesterday said “the issue is still under review”.

* WITH Netherlands 9.5 points ahead of Ireland atop the FEI Nations Cup Series, Robert Splaine’s charges will bid to cut the deficit and hold off the chasing pack in Hickstead. Ireland are on 30 points. Nine points separate them from the next four countries.

The team: Shane Breen (Cos I Can), Jennifer Crooks (SF Uryadi), Billy Twomey (Romanov) and Denis Lynch (Nabab’s Son).