HSI defers new anti-doping regime

HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has had to defer the introduction of its anti-doping and medication regime, which was due to come into force on January 1.

It had called a Special General Meeting yesterday to ratify the new rules, on the basis its main affiliate, ShowjumpingIreland (SJI), would have signed off on them, but the SJI’s decision to cancel its last executive meeting ultimately resulted in the postponement of yesterday’s HSI gathering.

In addition, some SJI board members expressed disquiet at aspects of the rules, resulting in HSI scheduling a meeting last Monday to address concerns. It is believed the meeting resulted in a number of changes to the rules, and it is anticipated the absolute final draft will be agreed by the SJI executive on January 12.

In a statement, HSI chairman Joe Walsh said: “Horse Sport Ireland had a very constructive meeting with the SJI on Monday and, while it’s important that the rules are in place as soon as possible, we would like the rules to be passed unanimously by the board. The SJI want to bring the document back to their executive and we agreed to facilitate this.”

The Corkman noted that testing is not due to take place until April and he stressed the importance of ensuring equestrian sport was above reproach.

“The Special General Meeting will take place in January and the rules will be in place well in time to commence testing in April.

“This programme will go ahead and I believe that the SJI leadership and ourselves are at one on the issue. Quite simply, it is the biggest challenge facing our sport. This is about building confidence in our sport with the general public.

“A lot of damage has been done by previous cases involving Irish riders. Our sport and our country has been tarnished and we need to send out a message that there is no place in our sport for cheats or those who compromise the welfare of their horses to achieve success in the ring or commercial gain outside it,” he said.

Among the more prominent concerns of some SJI executive members was that a first doping offence would result in a fine of €12,750, accompanied by a ban of up to two years. Monday’s meeting clarified that the €12,750 would not be absolute and a sum less than this could be decided to reflect the seriousness of individual cases.

Another proposed change is that all testing will be done “in agreement” with the relevant affiliate, as distinct from “in consultation”. It is also thought that a proposal that minors could suffer a lifetime ban has been altered to a maximum of a one-year ban.

An SJI source yesterday’s described Monday’s meeting as “very productive”, and acknowledged the SJI had been “lax” in not finalising a decision on the rules.

It is thought that the HSI board meeting to ratify the rules will take place in late January.

THE words “grand prix” and “win” ensure attention, as Dermott Lennon noted in Wednesday’s Irish Examiner.

The Co Down man listed off the many times he topped leaderboards over the past year or more, but conceded that the exposure was nothing compared to that which accompanied his GP victory on Monday night at London’s Olympia with Loughview Lou-Lou.

In truth, while he understood why his Olympia triumph could be considered a return to the big time for the former world champion, he felt it was not wholly accurate.

“It’s true that I have not won a big grand prix in a few years, but I have been placed in many big competitions. For example, last year, I was fifth in the World Cup finals with Hallmark Elite. I was also the leading rider last year in Toronto. In truth, Olympia is a high-profile event and it garners a lot of attention,” he said.

For the 42-year-old, the real story concerned Judith Sossick’s Limmerick-sired mare.

“For me it was all about what the horse is ready to do and Loughview Lou-Lou has done amazing things all year. She only came into work last Christmas when I got her and had been off the circuit for 18 months, having picked up an injury as a seven-year-old... She can win within her comfort zone, which is amazing, particularly when you consider her lack of experience and what she has achieved this year. No horse has ever done that for me,” said Lennon.

The Banbridge man also has high expectations for Vampire and Valent.

“They have a lot of potential, and I expect, all doing well, we will see a lot of them next year. Then again, talk is cheap, only results count.”

Grands prix more than most, as he learned this week.