International opt out shouldn’t diminish SJAI’s role
“The decision of the SJAI not to involve itself at an international level should not make any difference, in principle, to the part it will play in the umbrella body,” said Mr Dowling.
However, Mr Dowling would not comment on whether the SJAI would have a reduced representation on the board of Horse Sport Ireland, following its decision to focus on a domestic level and give total control of international team selection and training to the Equestrian Federation of Ireland.
A former secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Mr Dowling was speaking yesterday ahead of the latest meeting of the implementation group, which took what he felt was a big step forward in the development of Horse Sport Ireland, the working title for the umbrella body.
After the gathering, he said: “The implementation group decided unanimously to proceed on the next step towards the establishment of the umbrella body. We will draw up a detailed presentation over the next month that will then go out to each of the individual bodies for discussion.
“Assuming, and as soon it gets clearance, we will look to establish the umbrella body in the summer, with a view to Horse Sport Ireland being definitively in place by the end of the year,” he said.
* ZANOUBIA continues to prove a worthwhile investment for Cian O’Connor, the 11-year-old mare providing him with a double in Arezzo, Italy, last weekend. The Meath-based rider opened his account in a 1.35m two-phase class on Saturday, ending his second round clear in 25.25 seconds to keep Ireland’s World Champion Dermott Lennon, riding Zora, off the top spot, the Dutch-based rider coming home in 25.91.
Tipperary rider Shane Breen also featured, jumping a double clear on SEIC Night Dancer to finish seventh.
O’Connor’s nabbed his brace at the Tuscan show when he finished half a second ahead of Frenchman Michel Robert (Koro d’Or) in a jump-off contest on Sunday. Breen was again in the mix, riding Doraday to fifth place of the 52 starters in the Gold Tour competition.
* EQUESTRIAN Federation of Ireland Secretary General, Dan Butler held contract talks on Monday with Irish show jumping team manager designate Robert Splaine.
Mr Butler said the discussions had “progressed favourably” and he said he hoped to be able to make an announcement on Splaine’s formal appointment next week. Monday’s talks lasted about two hours and came after Corkman Splaine flew in from Italy where he is competing again this weekend.
Splaine’s role as team manager will see him work alongside show jumping selectors committee chairman, Commandant John Ledingham and two advisors, who have yet to be named.
Splaine could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
* JESSICA KÜRTEN continues to mine the vein of success that has made her the world’s number two rider, notching up a win and a valuable second in the grand prix at Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, last weekend.
In the latter, the Antrim rider, who is based in the Rhineland, Germany, partnered Castle Forbes Libertina to one of only three double clear rounds. Picking up €14,000 for her efforts, Kürten steered the 10-year-old bay Westfalian mare across the line in 35.91 seconds, with Dutchman Albert Zoer setting a scorching pace of 34.72 on Okidoki to claim the top prize after nine made the jump-off.
Kürten’s win came on the opening day, when she teamed up with Laurus to obliterate the opposition in the masters. Posting four clear rounds in the winner-takes-all class, Kürten and the 10-year-old gelding came out ahead of runner-up former Olympic champion Piet Raymakers on Now or Never.
The 36-year-old was out of luck in the World Cup qualifier, finishing 11th after posting the second fastest first round four faults on Quibell.
Kürten lies seventh in the Western European League and is already qualified for next month’s Kuala Lumpur finals.
* DRESSAGE IRELAND this week acknowledged the funding provided by the Irish Horse Board that has allowed it to compile a list of trainers countrywide.
Announcing its spring training schedule, Dressage Ireland said: “As the core discipline, flatwork or dressage is a fundamental skill that has not always been presented in a logical comprehensive manner.” The training sessions are for riders aged from 12-23 and the fee for the day is a reasonable e20 for Dressage Ireland members and e25 for non-members.
The following are the venues:
* Spruce Lodge, Kilternan, Co Dublin, Tuesday, April 18. Trainer Niall Quirk.
* Creagh, Ballinasloe Co Galway, Wednesday, April 19. Trainer Vida Tansey.
* Castlehill EC, Co Louth, Wednesday, April 19. Trainer Maureen Dwyer.
* Ennis or Coonagh EC date TBA. Trainer Donie McNamara.
* Curracloe, Co Wexford, Thursday, April 20. Trainer - Anne-Marie Dunphy.
* Glenaire EC, Co Cork, Sunday, April 23. Trainer Heike Holstein.
For an entry form and information contact the organisers or download from www.dressageireland.ie
* READERS could do worse than spend e18 on each of two recently-published books by respected equestrian journalist Nicholas O’Hare.
In Warmbloods in Ireland, O’Hare “charts the arrival of Continental sires and gives an account of the background and influences of the imports, their fortunes as producers of performance stock and their impact”.
In The Thoroughbred in Sport Horse Breeding, the author argues that we must return to the “great improver of all breeds” and he provides comprehensive information on the stallions which have served the breeder over the years.
Both volumes see O’Hare offering the case for each breed and they offer a critical analysis of the situation in their respective spheres. They bring to seven the number of books on breeding which O’Hare has had published and are available from the author at: www.nicholasohare.com
: Louth County April 23; Thomastown April 30; Coilog, May 1; Barnadown, May 7; Cavan May 14; Punchestown* May 20; Rolestown May 27; Rolestown May 28; Mullingar June 4; Mullingar* June 5; Ballinamona June 10; Ballivor* June 11; Saintfield June 17; Galway County June 18; West Clare June 24; Charleville June 25; Omagh July 1; Blessington* July 2; Co Clare July 9; Ballina July 10; Bannow & Rathangan July 13; Limerick & District July 15; Newcastle West July 16; National Balmoral July 20; Tattersalls July 23; Boswell July 30; South Co Dublin August 5; South Co Dublin* August 6; Dun Laoghaire* August 7; Millsteet August 18; Millsteet August 20; Cavan August 26; Limerick Show* August 27; Barnadown September 3; Iverk September 7; Boswell EC September 10. * Indicates Super League Competition.
