Efforts to resolve showjumping crisis fail
Their refusal to back down in their dispute with the selectors, as Ireland battles relegation from the Samsung Super League, came after a three-hour crisis meeting of riders and management at Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon.
This was followed by a selectors’ meeting last night, after which chairman Taylor Vard confirmed: “Jessica is maintaining her stance that she will not compete with Cian O’Connor, while Harry is saying he won’t line out while the present selection committee is in place.”
While yesterday afternoon’s gathering of riders did nothing to heal the rift, there was “unanimous agreement” that change was required in the selection process. Vard confirmed that all concurred with the main proposal that “a team manager or chef d’equipe would have sole responsibility for selecting teams for the Super League”.
This would be a major departure from the current committee-based structure.
Yesterday’s meeting - organised by the Showjumpers’ Club - was attended by riders Denis Lynch, Captain Gerry Flynn, Shane Breen, Dermott Lennon, Marie Burke and Robert Splaine, along with Equestrian Federation of Ireland secretary general Dan Butler, Showjumpers’ Club chairman Jack Doyle and Show Jumping Association of Ireland director general Robert Joyce. It was chaired by former Bord Fáilte chairman Mark Mortell.
It broke up with German-based Kuerten first to leave, accompanied by her husband Eckard, who also attended. Last night, he said “something really strong happened at the meeting”.
He would not expand, but said his wife may comment today after reading the coverage of the meeting.
Cian O’Connor could not be contacted. He was last night named on the team for the Super League final in Barcelona, his mount Waterford Crystal recovering from injury. Also on the team are: Shane Breen, Dermott Lennon, Billy Twomey and Capt Shane Carey.
Ireland must finish fifth or better, with the Netherlands and/or Belgium finishing last to avoid relegation.
