Furlong hails SJAI decision as positive development for the sport
Ms Furlong said the upwards of €100,000 the SJAI had budgeted for the international participation of pony riders, juniors and young riders etc could now be redirected to the sport at national level.
The Wexford-based Corkwoman denied the SJAI move was a retaliatory and petulant reaction to the EFI decision to take sole control of the senior international team.
“The EFI has taken over one section and there was the likelihood it could take over other sections, which is their right, but this decision by the SJAI avoids any uncertainty.”
Continuing in a positive vein, she referred to the words of this week’s SJAI press statement: “This decision has been taken to ensure fragmentation of our sport is avoided and to also contribute towards a future devoid of conflict.”
She strenuously denied she was being disingenuous and also rejected any suggestion the SJAI was using its members as pawns.
“Between 5% and 10% of each prizefund at national shows goes straight to finance the international participation of senior riders. Many SJAI members feel this money should be pumped back into the sport at national level. In fact, these members are entitled to have their money re-invested in a way that directly benefits them,” said Ms Furlong, who emphasised that training at domestic level would continue.
The SJAI decision, as outlined in its statement, has seen it “mandate that the EFI embrace and manage the training and selection of all teams, from ponies, juniors, young riders through to the senior teams, including amateurs”.
Outlining the benefits of the decision, the SJAI said: “This will leave the way open for the SJAI to concentrate on the grassroots members and we are redirecting resources towards national finals in all categories. To complement the established pony, young rider and amateur championships, the association is currently actively progressing a National Young Horse Championships for the latter part of the summer and has issued an invitation to show organisers to tender for the hosting of this inaugural event. The SJAI envisage a prizefund of €50,000, with classes for all categories.”
The EFI, for its part, is ready to take up the gauntlet thrown down by the SJAI, though, it is difficult to see how it could refuse. The questions, however, are, firstly, how will it finance its new activities and, secondly, will it be able to find the necessary personnel?
EFI secretary general Dan Butler yesterday said: “The EFI is taking steps to implement these new responsibilities in international show jumping. I am currently assessing all the relevant information and, when we have a clear picture, the EFI will then put its case to the Irish Sports Council for adequate funding.”
Sports Council chief executive John Treacy yesterday said it was not out of the ordinary for governing bodies to seek extra funding in extenuating circumstances and he added: “The Sports Council will work with the EFI in the situation that has arisen this week.”
Ms Furlong, meanwhile, said moves are in train to find a new headquarters for the SJAI, with the lease on its current offices in Goffs, Co Kildare, due to run out in June.
“We are hoping to have a new place identified in the near future. There is a possibility that it will be in Kildare, but also a possibility that it may be elsewhere. A decision must be made within the next few weeks and premises are being viewed,” said Ms Furlong, who said identifying the location of a new headquarters was a prerequisite to employing a new director general to replace the acting DG Liz Pottie.
* DERRY-BORN Trevor Coyle, riding Over Time GMS, produced the only double clear to take the final grand prix of the Spanish Sunshine Tour last Sunday.
It was second successive grand prix victory for Irish riders, as Corkman Billy Twomey had taken the top prize at Vejer de la Frontera a week previously.
Robert Splaine, who has travelled to Arezzo, Italy, this week, rode Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond to seventh place behind Coyle in last Sunday’s main class.
* BOSWELL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE in Co Wicklow was this week unveiled as the sponsor the 2006 National Grand Prix Show Jumping League.
Venue owner Gerry Gorman, who is to back the league to the tune of €30,000, said: “I have always regarded this National Show Jumping League as the perfect training ground for both our up and coming international riders and potential international horses. I am looking forward to and am delighted to be associated with the Show Jumping Association of Ireland in this exciting sponsorship.”
Last year’s league lived up to its billing as the sport’s showcase event, with Cian O’Connor pipping Sarah Kate Quinlivan to the title in the culmination of a nail-biting battle.
The league consists of approximately 30 fixtures nationwide from April to September, with this year’s final to be staged, as should be expected, at Boswell Equestrian Centre, near Ashford.
