Contenders line up for show jumping team manager

Commandment John Ledingham has given a qualified expression of interest to becoming Ireland’s next show jumping team manager, James Kernan is in no doubt that he would like the role, while Jack Doyle has said he would “give consideration to it”.

The trio have joined Eddie Macken in outlining their interest as Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) announced yesterday that it is to seek applications for the position, held by Robert Splaine since 2005.

HSI is also to shortly advertise the post of Ireland eventing manager — filled by Britain’s Ginny Elliot since 2008 — the decision in both cases done in the interest of fairness, said the governing body’s chairman Joe Walsh.

“Show jumping manager Robert Splaine and eventing manager Ginny Elliot have both achieved excellent results for Irish equestrian sport. However, in the interest of transparency and fairness the board is of the view that an open recruitment competition should be held for these important positions,” said Walsh, following an HSI board meeting.

The HSI decision to advertise the manager’s position came despite its affiliate, ShowjumpingIreland, publicly backing Splaine.

Elliot, whose contract, like that of Splaine’s, expires on December 31, last night said: “I do not have any comment to make at the moment.”

Splaine, who last night reserved comment, has publicly indicated he wants to retain his position. As such, the HSI move to advertise it came as a surprise, particularly in the wake of what was a superb year, most notably Splaine’s nomination of Cian O’Connor for the Olympics that earned the country its first show jumping medal.

He also guided the squad to victory in the nations cups in Hickstead and Dublin.

However, there was bitter disappointment when Ireland failed to qualify a team for the Olympics at the World Equestrian Games, and at last year’s European Championships at Madrid.

HSI commissioned an independent review after the championship and, curiously, it chose last night to release the findings, nine months after the report was completed.

The report in some respects bolsters Splaine’s position in that it identified that “Ireland did not have the horsepower needed to qualify” for the Olympics and that the manager’s selection for Madrid was “the best available”.

While Splaine remains the frontrunner, Comdt Ledingham, Kernan and Doyle have been spoken of as contenders for the manager’s position, while Macken recently told the Irish Farmers’ Journal that he could see himself at the helm.

Comdt Ledingham, the chairman of HSI’s coaching development programme, said: “I would be interested, but not unconditionally. I would have to know Horse Sport Ireland’s requirements. I have been the manager of the underage teams for several years and for the past three years we have won European Championships medals, bronze in 2010, gold in each of 2011 and 2012. The senior manager’s job is the top appointment and it is something I would aspire to. I have been a successful rider, coach and manager, and I would bring that experience to the table as senior manager, be it the Olympic cycle to Rio de Janeiro or even the one after that.”

Asked if he would apply for the job, Doyle said: “I’m not sure yet. The post does not come up until the end of December. A lot of people have come to me asking if I am interested in the position. I haven’t discussed it yet with my family, but I will give consideration to it.”

Armagh native Kernan was unequivocal: “It is something I would be interested in. There would be a lot of people interested in the role. I have been involved in the Irish team since I was 18 and have been passionate about the team. I was on the three-in-a row winning Aga Khan teams in 1977 to 1979. I was also on the winning team in 1992 and was on the Olympic team in Barcelona. I have dedicated my life to horses. No doubt, the squad has achieved a lot. We have the best riders in the world, it is a question of horse power. It is all about encouraging owners to keep the top horses in the country to jump for Ireland.”

nTom Foley notched up four wins at last weekend’s Owners’ Pony and Young Riders Charity Show in Millstreet, Co Cork.

The Co Clare rider counted two grands prix among his tally, the first coming with Val Brooks’s Zamir in the 1.20m grand prix, followed by victory in the 1.30m equivalent on Ebby Sheehan’s Bricklands.

European Championship pony squad member Darragh Ryan, from Thurles, took the honours in the 1.20m grand prix for 148cms ponies with Tom Cahill’s Caher Dubh.

The 128cms GP was shared by Jason Foley and Killian Ryan, while Ian Fives was tops in the 138cms GP.

The puissance was won by Patrick McNamara and Moongani, the Lisdoonvarna 15-year-old matching the height that won him the six-bar the previous night. Galway’s Evan Flynn and The Captain’s Touch cleared 1.80m to take the junior puissance.

nA ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) source last night confirmed that the body’s insurance premium is set to quadruple to approximately €550,000, due to pending settlements.

“Unfortunately, the costs of this will filter down to members. No insurance means no show jumping,” said the source.