Wade stands firm despite vote of no confidence

TOMMY WADE yesterday said he had no intention of resigning as Chef d’Equipe to the Irish show jumping team, despite a vote of no confidence in him and the international selectors committee at the Show Jumping Association of Ireland AGM on Tuesday.

He argued that the no confidence motion tabled by rider Edward Doyle (carried by 57 to 26) was not in line with the constitution of the SJAI.

“A motion must be submitted 14 days before the AGM; it was out of order,” said Wade, pointing out that the SJAI has about 7,000 members and less than 90 were at the AGM.

“I am not standing down; my term of office does not expire until after the Olympics,” said Wade who travelled to Rotterdam early yesterday as Chef d’Equipe to the Irish team for tomorrow’s crucial Samsung Super League Nations Cup competition.

The no confidence vote was supported by some of Ireland’s top riders, angry after Eddie Macken was sacked last week as Olympic team trainer.

A further addendum that Macken be appointed trainer and also replace Wade as Chef d‘Equipe was carried by 60 to 18. Macken subsequently said he would be delighted to do so.

Yesterday, however, SJAI solicitor Michael O’Sullivan disputed that the AGM motion was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Eventing Ireland yesterday named its Olympic squad

Sasha Harrison (All Love Du Fenaud), Mark Kyle (Drunken Disorderly), Niall Griffin (Lorgaine), Edmond Gibney (Kings Highway), Sue Shortt (Just Beauty Queen); reserves Sarah Daly (Test Flight) and Jane O’Flynn (Kilnadeema Star).