SJAI to discuss O’Connor ban at April 26 meeting
This anomaly occurs because the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, the Irish representative of the FEI, says it has no jurisdiction on the matter at national level. It points to the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI), who says it has no plans to suspend O’Connor.
Francis Connors has led the calls for a blanket suspension. Yesterday, he reiterated that the SJAI should ensure the ban is a global one.
“The SJAI should be strong enough to do this. The public perception is that Cian is banned and, to see him jumping during that time, makes a mockery of the punishment,” he said.
Connors said many of his contemporaries held similar views. He also said that if this was any other rider, he would you be just as vocal.
“I have no axe to grind with Cian, but I think in any other sport if you’re banned, that means you’re banned,” he said.
SJAI chairman Charles Hanley said the issue would come up for debate at the association’s next national executive meeting on April 26. He could not say if the SJAI would expand the FEI suspension.
“I have had nobody officially on to me saying Cian should be banned at national level and that includes the EFI and the Showjumpers’ club,” he said.
“Regardless, if we wanted to suspend him, we would have to undertake our own investigation of the case and arrive at our own results, which could be problematic.”
O’Connor has indicated he will not be returning to competition in the short-term. This week, he returned from Tuscany, finishing up on a successful note with a win on ABC Landliebe. We must wait and see if success in the next three months will come at the expense of Irish riders.
Meanwhile, the FEI “anti-doping task force has proposed a dramatic change of their medication control procedure to ensure clarity of rules and speedier results”.
The task force was set up after the inadequacies inherent in the FEI rules were exposed by recent drug cases.
How the changes will work in practice is open to debate, but we will look at the theory next week.
BILLY TWOMEY set the pace entering the last day of the British Open Championships in Sheffield last Sunday, but eventually had to settle for third.
In the final championship class, the Corkman rode Anastasia II to third place with a two-round total of eight faults. Robert Smith lifted the title, with the competition’s only clear jumping score.
WORD FOR WORD, the event horse owned by Michael and Mary-Rose Cooney of Castletownroche, Co Cork, died in a cross-country fall in England last weekend.
Ridden by Polly Stockton, the 15-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred tipped over at the 18th fence in the World Cup qualifier at Burnham Market. He died at the scene.
Stockton and the gelding, who placed second at Burghley in 2002, were to compete in the Irish Horse Board Land Rover World Cup qualifier in Ballindenisk, Co Cork, on April 23/24. Stockton was not seriously injured and will line out at Ballindenisk with her other horse, Blanco.
JACK DOYLE produced the fastest of three double clears to claim the last leg of the Guidam Grand Prix Spring Tour at Barnadown, Co Wexford, last Sunday.
Ten made it past Killian Clarke’s first-round course after 47 went to the start in this outdoor competition.
Pathfinder Stephen Smith knew he needed a fast clear and, with Impact - the former ride of world champion Dermott Lennon - he looked to have achieved his aim. However, the last fence came tumbling down for what proved an eventual fourth place.
Richie Moloney and Apolinaire produced the first of the desired fault-free rounds, stopping the clock in 53.51 seconds, but the ever-competitive Francis Connors took over when, with the first of his two charges, he cut the target by almost four seconds on Derg Twiss. But, Showjumpers’ Club chairman Doyle had the measure of him and, with Owen II, crossed the line in 49.31.
SUNDAY’S Aglish Gymkhana in Waterford has been postponed until May 15. The five Tony Meegan qualifiers on the Aglish schedule have been transferred to the Ballinamona Equestrian Centre, Co Waterford, beginning at 10am on Sunday. Enquiries: 087/7765320.
Meanwhile, the outdoor show jumping season in the Cork/Kerry region begins at Ballindenisk, Watergrasshill on Sunday week.
It is being held in conjunction with the World Cup eventing qualifier. Four show jumping arenas will cater for horses and ponies of all grades and heights. The organisers say many foreign buyers are expected to attend, making it an “ideal shop window for those interested in marketing their equines”.
Starting at 10am, enquires to 087/2514215 or 086/2608017.
ANNE MARIE DUNPHY was in top form at the Dressage Ireland National Winter Finals at Marlton Stud, Co Wicklow, last Saturday, posting a hat-trick.
In the Advanced Medium Winter Final, she impressed with her eye-catching Hannovarian mare Heritage Nofretete.
In the National Prix St Georges class, Heritage Nofretete’s overall score of 65.13% proved to be enough for the win with Dunphy slotting into second place for good measure with Heritage Egano S.
In the Intermediate I final, Dunphy notched up her hat-trick, Heritage Egano S doing the business with an overall score of 67.25%, Dunphy held off the challenge of Fethard resident Sue Smallman and Oakengrove Ideal with Najac and Aine Cafferkey taking third place
Katie Nolan had a double, riding Foxtrot 2 to victory in the national novice final and the consolation elementary.
The new chairman of Dressage Ireland, Gillian Kyle, presented the prizes and confirmed that, for the first time in 15 years, the national dressage championships will be held in Co Wicklow, Tom and Barbara Delahoyde’s Marlton Stud being the venue next September.
