Splaine’s contribution lauded

With just over a month to go on his contract, Robert Splaine received a glowing endorsement from the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) chief executive yesterday.

Damian McDonald said Splaine had “made a huge contribution to Irish show jumping, both as a rider and in his last seven years as chef d’equipe.

“He’s been an absolutely fantastic ambassador for Ireland at every international show he’s been at and he’s done a superb job in... moulding a team. The key to that is that he’s a fair, independent-minded chef d’equipe. He always takes the job seriously. He has no favourites and he does the job fairly and equitably and he is respected around the world,” said McDonald, a member of the interview panel that will decide if Splaine retains his post or is replaced.