SJAI getting tough in bid to prevent abuse of horses
According to a statement this week, the SJAI is to “establish a well-trained and knowledgeable team of officials whose responsibility will be to supervise and monitor the conduct of the management of horses and ponies competing at SJAI authorised events.”
The statement points out that “a number of malpractices have occurred recently in equestrian activities which have given rise to much adverse press coverage.”
Continuing, the SJAI says it “will not condone any form of cruelty or abuse to horses or ponies and in order to address this situation and allay the public perception, the association is making a concerted effort to ensure that no further criticism can be levied due to the lack of responsibility and action on its behalf.”
The SJAI intends to set up a model similar to that already in use at international level.
New rules and regulations adopted by the SJAI executive will allow for dope testing of animals and the inspection of boots and other articles of tack at shows.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the rules, a seminar has been organised, with the Federation Equestre Internationale Chief Steward at the Athens Olympics, Paul Weier, and his deputy Frances Triulzi acting as tutors.
Well-known vet Dermot Forde and his counterpart Tom Meagher, head of the SJAI Veterinary Committee, will explain the procedure for dope testing. The judge’s role in dealing with rules regarding cruelty and abuse of animals is also on the agenda.
The seminar will take place on February 26/27 in the Ambassador Hotel, Kill, Co Kildare.
Anyone interested in becoming a national steward should contact SJAI General Manager John Lyttle at the SJAI Offices, Kildare Paddock. Kill, Co Kildare. Tel: 045/842300 or email: johnlyttle@sjai.ie
FEBRUARY 23 looks to be the earliest date for the oral hearing at which Cian O’Connor will present his case for the retention of his Olympic gold medal.
At one stage, yesterday was spoken as a likely date. However, with difficulties in bringing the disparate parties together, hopes passed unfulfilled.
Now, it has emerged that O’Connor’s vet James Sheeran will be unavailable for three weeks. His role as a prime witness necessitates the latest delay, along with the fact the FEI does not want - by forcing a date on O’Connor - to prejudice any possible follow-on case by the rider to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
February 23 is the earliest date on a list presented to the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) by O’Connor’s solicitor Andrew Coonan, the others stretching to mid-March.
“We had hoped to have the hearing by now - the sooner the better as far as we are concerned - but James will be out for a three-week period,” said Mr Coonan this week.
He also said he had sought a list of the FEI witnesses appearing at the hearing, along with statements. While the FEI had indicated their willingness to accede to his request, he was still awaiting their response, said Mr Coonan.
PADRAIG GERAGHTY was last week elected to represent Connaught on the SJAI’s International Affairs Committee. Geraghty replaces Paul Duffy Jnr, who resigned his selectors’ position earlier this month. He joins Munster representative James Tarrant and Liam Buckley, who took up the Leinster position vacated by the appointment of Taylor Vard as committee chairman.
Discussions are said to be continuing into the SJAI renewing its role in senior team selection, with Eddie Macken tipped to be chef d’equipe.
JESSICA KURTEN failed to live up to early promise in the Leipzig World Cup class last Sunday, finishing equal 18th. Two fences in down in round with the Danish-bred 11-year-old Quibell put paid to her aspirations, fuelled on Friday by a third place in World Cup qualifying class.
Nick Skelton and Arko III made
On Saturday, the German-based Kurten finished fifth with the seven-year-old Carving in a qualifying competition for the Youngster Cup.
THE Showjumpers’ Club elected Jack Doyle and Francis Connors as its new chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, at the club’s AGM last Monday.
Not surprisingly, after becoming embroiled in controversy pre-Christmas when naming Olympic Champion Cian O’Connor as International Rider of the Year, they are determined to ensure a similar situation does not arise again.
“A structure will be put in place as a priority to ensure the procedures for allocating the awards will be transparent,” said Connors, who is joined at the top table by secretary Maureen Bagnall and treasurer Sheila White.
Previously, the club’s awards were decided on an ad-hoc basis, a situation that led to uproar with riders such as Peter Charles outspoken on O’Connor’s selection, despite his ongoing battle to save his gold medal after tests found banned substances in his mount Waterford Crystal.
Jack Doyle, meanwhile, is confident the riders will have an input in the senior team selection this year, with a tough time forecast in the Samsung Super League and the European Championships also set to prove a difficult test for the Irish amid a predicted shortage in horsepower.
“Voting rights for the riders [in team selection] are in the offing as far as I am aware, though there is nothing definite yet,” said Doyle.
NIAMH FLYNN and the 128cms pony Moll were in flying form last weekend when helping her team to victory in the Inter-Primary Schools Show Jumping Championships at The Ballyrafter Centre and also taking the individual title.
From an entry of 16 teams, Flynn and her Garranbane team-mates Rachel Walsh (Socky) and Mary Frost (Merrylegs) came out tops, with Flynn and Walsh combining in the seven-team jump-off for victory.
Scoil Mhuire NS, Tallow, featuring Grace O’Keeffe (Lady Divine), Ellen O’Keeffe (Ronan’s Star) and Colin Fives (Grey Sooty) were runners-up, Grace and Colin combining for a time that proved just over a second off the pace. The all-boy team of Timmy Doyle (Timmy’s Joy), Patrick Finn (Stephanie’s Dream) and Gabi Burke (Soda Pop), representing Liscarroll NS, Mallow, Co Cork, placed third, a tight turn and three faults proving their undoing.
In the individual contest, Niamh Flynn’s time of 30.46 seconds was good enough to deny Niall Madden and his mount Van Nistleroy, his time of 31.49 putting him ahead of third-placed Michelle Kenny on Dolly.
