Ledingham not in frame for international team manager role
The former Army officer said the demands of the post weighed heavily against his responsibilities towards his family.
“I’m not in a position to give the huge commitment required. People do not realise the amount of time the team manager is expected to spend abroad. It involves travelling to between eight and 10 international shows and this would take you overseas for three months,” said Ledingham.
It could be argued that the controversy that has surrounded filling the post would discourage potential candidates, but Ledingham did not say if this had influenced his decision. Nevertheless, he would not rule out playing a part in the future.
“I have three boys, aged 15, 13 and 11 and, when my family is at an age that frees up my time, I would relish taking up the post if it was available,” he said.
Robert Splaine was selected for the team manager’s job after riders were asked their preference at a meeting last year, with Ledingham the second choice. Splaine went on, according to the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI), to agree a verbal agreement with it on a contract to fill the post. He could not be contacted yesterday, but he would certainly remain the main contender for team leader.
The position of team manager was advertised this week following a meeting of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) national executive.
The four SJAI delegates on the executive, led by new chairperson Patricia Furlong, put up a solid argument for the association’s continued involvement in team selection. They did so just days after EFI secretary general Dan Butler announced the federation was taking sole responsibility for selection, relinquishing the SJAI of any involvement.
The upshot was that, in a statement after Monday’s meeting at Goff’s, Co Kildare, the EFI announced a “representative” panel had been chosen, “by consensus” to select the new team manager. The identity of those on the panel was not revealed, but an EFI source said it would be made up of two each from the EFI and the SJAI, under the chairmanship of a person selected by the Irish Sports Council.
The closing date for applications for the team manager’s job is February 8 and according to the advertisement, the post will incorporate travel to “Super Leagues/European and World Championships and as many four star team show jumping events as deemed appropriate by the EFI”.
“The team manager will work hand-in-hand with the Show Jumping Selection Committee, where his or her comments and opinions with regard to international selection will be valued. Input into selection for World Cup Qualifying competitions would also be required,” it continues, adding: “A condition of employment would be that the successful applicant is domiciled in Ireland.”
Meanwhile, the SJAI’s International Affairs Committee met on Wednesday and selected a squad for the nations cup in Florida in early March.
The selection must be ratified by the EFI, but this should happen, as Mr Butler was present at the meeting. Mr Butler said on Wednesday night that the SJAI’s continued involvement demonstrated a bid by the EFI to “show collegiality”.
The squad is to be announced today, but it can be expected to feature much of the team that won the competition last year on borrowed horses: Kevin Babington, Darragh Kerins, Conor Swail and Jennifer Crooks. Interest will also centre on the identify of the chef d’equipe, which will also be confirmed today.
lJESSICA KÜRTEN, who picked up €20,00 for her win with Quibell in Zurich last night, continues her quest for World Cup points in Bordeaux next week.
This follows her mixed fortunes in Leipzig last weekend.
The German-based 36-year-old notched up a treble, winning the young horse qualifier and final on the eight-year-old stallion Commandor. She also took the plaudits in the World Cup pre-qualifier on Castle Forbes Libertina, raising expectations of a similar result in Sunday’s feature class, particularly in the light of her stunning €207,000 win in Dubai days earlier.
However, an unfortunate four faults with the 10-year-old mare in the opening round of the qualifier ensured she played no part in the battle for the major points. In fact, despite posting the fastest time of the four-faulters, she had to settle for 14th place, after 13 made it to the jump-off in a competition won by Austria’s Thomas Frühmann on The Sixth Sense. Kürten picked up three points, elevating her two places to equal 18th on the Western European League on a total of 22 points.
Corkman Billy Twomey was also in winning mode, tying for first in the six-bar competition. The Cheshire-based rider jumped four clear rounds on the 15-year-old Whinney Jackson, sharing the spoils with Germany’s Andre Thieme, riding Nacorde.
Twomey also lined out in Sunday’s World Cup Qualifier, but finished with 12 faults in the opening round on Luidam.
* ST AUGUSTINE’S College, Dungarvan successfully defended their Inter Schools Show Jumping Championship title at The Ballyrafter Centre, Lismore, last Sunday. Fielding the same successful team as last year, twins Sally and Susie Lonergan, Noreen Quealy and Peter Moloney held off the strong challenge of Gorey Community School’s Lisa Beasley, Deirdre Doyle and Deana and Shauna Lazenby. St Augustine’s also won the individual title, as Peter Moloney took the honours ahead of Noreen Quealy by one-tenth of a second.
A record 46 teams lined out, with just 14 teams going clear in the first round and only St Augustine’s and Gorey Community School produced the elusive zero score after two rounds to do battle against the clock.
The jump-off saw St Augustine’s Quealy and Moloney come out tops against Gorey’s Lazenby and Doyle, who was unfortunate to knock the first fence and open the door for the eventual winners.
Kilkenny College were third on three faults.
