Buckley to brief SJAI executive on EFI plans
The briefing will be given by Morgan Buckley, managing director of
Atlantic Sports Management and Training (ASMT). Buckley was engaged by the EFI to develop the structure for a unified equestrian body, provisionally titled Horse Sport Ireland.
The EFI recently announced plans for a major shake-up of its organisation. The plans are viewed as a precursor to the formation of the unified body. The SJAI is one of 15 member bodies that make up the EFI and the briefing, which came at the behest of new SJAI chairman Charles Hanley, is seen as a bid to update the new SJAI executive.
Hanley said the association had in the past reached agreement on a format for the new body, but, with the non-inclusion of the IHB, this format would be altered.
He said he hoped the briefing would provide the impetus required to propel the SJAI towards the eventual formation of a unified body.
"The SJAI was ready 15 months ago to move ahead. But we've heard nothing until lately and now we are back to square one.
"We must get the ball rolling from an SJAI viewpoint and get people to agree. We must assure members that the association will keep its identity," he said.
He reiterated the need for further discussion and said he planned to meet IHB representatives in the near future.
He also discounted that IHB inclusion in the unified body is a prerequisite to SJAI involvement.
In this column last week, Mr Hanley expressed reservations about taking the SJAI into any unified body at this stage. The Mayoman said the association had to get its own house in order before considering joining other disciplines under the same umbrella.
The EFI modernisation plan proposes moving towards the goal of a unified body without the future inclusion of the Irish Horse Board.
While some would suggest the EFI cannot afford such apartheid, as it would make it difficult to source State funding, the federation would argue this point on the basis the IHB oversees the breeding sector and Horse Sport Ireland is, as its name suggests, concerned with sport. On that basis, it is inconceivable that they could go it alone without the SJAI, which boasts the largest membership of any equestrian discipline here.
The proposal to brief the SJAI executive came following a request by Mr Hanley, one of 40 representatives from the FEI disciplines to attend an open forum last week on the EFI modernisation plans.
Apart from showjumping, representatives from the world of eventing, dressage, endurance riding and carriage driving were at the forum, which lasted two hours allowed the opportunity to obtain clarification of various issues.
The EFI was represented by President Avril Doyle, Assistant Secretary General Anne Chanarin, Morgan Buckley, and EFI consultant Colonel Ned Campion (the former EFI secretary general).
Doyle said afterwards: "The mood of the meeting was very positive. While everyone has agreed to move forward, caution was expressed in some quarters, particularly by new chairpersons.
She stressed the need for the EFI to forge ahead, while negotiations continue with the Irish Horse Board.
"Our restructuring is in line with the Connellan report for the proposed integration of the EFI and the IHB bodies. While parallel discussions are continuing with the Irish Horse Board and the Department of Sport, there is an imperative for us to get the sporting house in order in any case."
DERMOTT LENNON finished fourth in a four-man competition of champions at Zurich last Saturday.
In round one, each of the riders Olympic champion Joroen Dubbeldam (Sao Paulo), world champion Dermott Lennon (Dow Jones Courcel), world cup champion Otto Becker (Dobel's Araconit) and European champion Ludger Beerbaum (Ludi) got off to a good start, posting clears with their own horses.
However, Lennon subsequently added 16 on Sao Paulo and 12 with Dobel's Araconit for a tally of 28 that left him out of the reckoning.
Ironically, Dutchman Dubbeldam jumped a clear with Lennon's Dow Jones Courcel to deny Beerbaum and claim the top prize of 20,000 Swiss francs with a four-round total of four faults.
Lennon also placed third in the Swiss Masters on Liscalgot when four-faulting in five-way jump-off. He also pocketed 8,000 Swiss francs when 11th on Liscalgot, fastest of the first-round four faulters, in the Swiss Life Classic.
Jessica Kurten was also in the money, picking up 10,000 Swiss francs when third in the Credit Suisse Grand Prixon Paavo N. Victory went to Briton Robert Smith on the 10-year-old Western Promise-sired Irish Sport Horse, Mr Springfield.
Meanwhile, Robert Splaine and his stallion Coolcorron Cool Diamond placed fifth in the grand prix at the CSI** in Pontedera, Italy, on Sunday.
Trevor Coyle was equal fourth in grand prix at the world cup show in Indio, California, notching up four faults on Lexicon in round one.
THE Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) has updated its website. It can be found at www.sjai.ie
The site contains links to the Leinster Region and the Connacht Region websites.
It includes a feedback forum. Members and non-members are encouraged to avail of this.
THE second meeting of the SJAI appeals committee into the disputed 2002 Kerrygold League was held last night.
Conor Swail is disputing the addition of an extra round in the league programme. Francis Connors was declared the winner of the league following its conclusion.
The SJAI's Cork/Kerry branch has announced a number of new leagues aimed at supporting pony and young rider classes for the outdoor season.
A 1.20m young rider league, sponsored by Rockcliffe Stud, Cork, and a similar league for 1.10m young riders will be held at designated shows. Both leagues will carry a prizefund of 1,000.
Rochestown Park Hotel is putting up 1,000 for a 148cms C/D league. The money will be shared between the top six ponies.
The leagues have to receive committee approval, but this should be a formality.
THE Munster Region of Eventing Ireland will hold its award ball at the Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork, on March 1.
Tickets are priced at 50. An auction and raffle will be staged to raise funds for the region and will include a lesson from Patricia Donegan, a day's sailing for 10 people on a luxury yacht.
Enquiries: 023/39135.
