SJI reaffirm support for Splaine

ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) chairman Christy Murphy sees nothing wrong in the organisation backing Robert Splaine to remain as Ireland team manager, while affirming that others should be allowed apply for the post.

He also confirmed that two letters had been sent by SJI to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) ahead of the governing body’s board meeting on Thursday, which opted to open up the manager’s position to other applicants.

Murphy rejected the notion that the stance taken by SJI — an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland — could be seen as contradictory.

“The SJI position is that Splaine’s contract should be renewed. That was recommended by the executive and that position has not changed.

“However, we do not want to be seen as an insular organisation and we agreed that, for transparency’s sake, the post should be advertised.”

Corkman Splaine has been manager since 2005, but in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, Commandant John Ledingham, Jack Doyle and James Kernan expressed interest in the role.

It has also emerged that the Showjumpers Club — a riders’ representative body that is chaired by Kernan — had written to HSI seeking that the manager’s post be advertised.

Meanwhile, Murphy confirmed that SJI members can expect “large increases” in fees following a quadrupling of its annual insurance premium to about €550,000.

Following an emergency meeting of the SJI executive on Thursday night, Murphy said: “There have been two major accidents in three years. The insurance company has no idea of the cost, but they must make provision that each of these could cost in the millions.

“Our job is to protect the members and it highlights the importance of correct insurance. You can’t forget two members’ lives have been devastated and we have to look out for each other.”