Punchestown grant further colours public's jaundiced view of equestrianism
The controversy surrounding the grant of 15m has further coloured the jaundiced public view of equestrianism as a sport for the wealthy that is receiving taxpayers' money when the health service, for example, is dying a slow death.
It is crucial to remember, however, that what is in question is not the grant itself, but the manner in which Mr McCreevy is perceived to have fast-tracked it, without proper evaluation of the project. Unfortunately, the public's political cynicism, allied to the fact Punchestown is in Mr McCreevy's backyard, further clouds the issue, bringing more undeserved opprobrium on a sport that has brought glory to Ireland over the decades. Understandably, however, it is difficult for a public largely ignorant of equestrian matters to disassociate the value of the grant to the economy from the controversy surrounding its dispensing.
Aside from racing, the Kildare venue is generally associated with eventing, a sport in which Ireland has topped the world breeding rankings for eight years. Punchestown proved its worth recently with the International Sport Horse Show, which combined the staging of the European Eventing Championships and the European Endurance Championships. It was the first time anywhere for the two to be staged concurrently and it did much to heal the damage done by the 1998 World Equestrian Games fiasco and greatly restored the view abroad of Ireland as a country capable of staging top-class equestrian events.
International Sport Horse Show Chief Executive Tim Philips said the event demonstrated Punchestown as a major asset, particularly in promoting the sport horse industry.
"Ireland is the third largest sporthorse exporter in world and the value to the economy is upwards of 250m per year, with exports of up to 50m a year. It is a world-class facility and the International Sport Horse Show did much to enhance the reputation of the Irish horse and the industry in general. I believe that 15m in terms of an industry worth 250m annually is very little ... and the taxpayer has got very good value for money. As a user of Punchestown, I have to say it is a wonderful facility and I believe it should continue to stage the International Sport Horse Show as a centrepoint of the equestrian year."
The comments last week on prime time radio by International Equestrian Federation Sports Director Michael Stone vis-à-vis the suitability of Punchestown as a centre big enough to stage a World Cup class cannot go unaddressed. To say the least, they were naive. Punchestown was never envisaged as a venue for a World Cup qualifier. Millstreet had a proven record as a World Cup venue and Mr Stone's comments that the FEI preferred to stage World Cup classes in or near capital cities revealed a certain arrogance on the part of the FEI. Neither did the Dubliner seem to be aware that Punchestown had staged the European Eventing Championships as well as the Endurance Championships.
Considering his position, it is difficult to understand the reasoning behind his remarks.
KEVIN BABINGTON was in the money at the World Cup Show in Toronto last week.
Teaming up with Carling King, he placed fifth in the $50,000 Canadian Open, won by Britain's Michael Whitaker.
The Carrick-on-Suir rider gained points in Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix with an eighth on the Clover Hill chestnut gelding.
He also took a seventh place with the nine-year-old chestnut gelding, It's Marado, on Wednesday.
JESSICA KURTEN failed to make an impression in the World Cup Qualifier at Berlin last weekend. Riding Paramo K, she had two fences down in the pre-qualifier to scrape through. Four faults, however, in round one of the qualifier saw her finish 14th. Consolation came with victory in the Audi Cup for young horses on the seven-year-old gelding Laurus.
THE Cork/Kerry Branch SJAI AGM will take place next Thursday and the following will contest the top table positions Chairman: Pat Duggan, Kieran O'Donovan and Sean Kelly; Vice-chairman: Michael Hennessy and Declan Cunningham. Secretary: Tony Hurley and Mary Dineen. Current treasurer Ted Gibney goes forward for the position unopposed.
