Kürten silent on O’Connor’s selection
German-based Kürten is on record earlier this year as saying she will not line out alongside the former Olympic champion.
Yesterday, however, she was again unavailable for comment.
Selectors chairman Taylor Vard, anxious not ignite a situation that emerged in the wake of the positive drugs test on O’Connor’s mount Waterford Crystal at the Athens Olympics said: “We have no argument with Kürten and we have fulfilled our role by putting out the best team possible team.”
The next move is Kürten’s and if she continues to have a problem with O’Connor, the country could be the major loser. Ireland are languishing one from the bottom of the Samsung Super League and desperate for a good result.
Kürten has easily been Ireland’s best rider this season, with two power-house horses in Castle Forbes Maike and Quibbel.
Even Vard conceded that: “Considering her current form, she was our first choice.”
Also bidding in Dublin to drag Ireland from the Samsung Super League quagmire will be Billy Twomey, Harry Marshall and Captain Shane Carey.
Twomey, yesterday said he had no problem teaming up with O’Connor.
He stressed it is crucial Ireland field its strongest team.
“Unless we get a top two finish in Dublin or Hickstead, we are in serious trouble as regards the Super League.”
He rides Anastasia in the nations cup in Dublin. His first-choice mount, Luidam, will also be in action with a view to jumping him in the nations cup at Aachen. The horse had his first outing at local show recently as he recovers from injury.
O’Connor, meanwhile, heads for the Netherlands next week for his first campaign abroad, his three-month international ban expiring next Monday.
Hickstead is next on his agenda, where he will join up with Marie Burke, David Quigley, Denis Lynch and Shane Breen.
While sidelined by the international ban, O’Connor has been making hay on the domestic circuit, an impressive string of horses helping him to a 48-point lead in the IJM TimberFrame League.
Dublin Horse Show has always been important to O’Connor and this week he stressed he did not want to dwell on the prospect of a divisive move by Kürten.
“For any sports person to represent their country is an honour ... I believe we owe it to the Irish people, the sport and to ourselves to heal any rifts that may have been there and enjoy the privilege we are being offered,” said the 25-year-old.
Laudable, undoubtedly, but what happened post Athens has left a sour taste in some mouths. Relishing the taste of victory, however, may be the only way to banish the unsavoury events of the past. In that respect, perhaps it is time for Kürten to swallow her pride ... if she hasn’t already done so.
Meanwhile, Kürten gets the opportunity to possibly renew her acquaintance with European success, when she competes in the championships in San Patrignano, Italy, on July 21-24.
A team medal winner five years ago in Arnhem, the Netherlands, she was joined then by Dermott Lennon, who again makes the team. Also selected are Robert Splaine and Harry Marshall.
Dutch-based World Champion Lennon has been out of the limelight since injury sidelined his mare Liscalgot. In Italy, he rides Morningside Stud’s Holsteiner stallion Condios.
The pairing achieved qualification when 11th in the grand prix at the four-star Madrid show in May, producing a clear in round one and four faults on his return to the arena. In the same month, they jumped double clear to finish sixth in the Eindhoven grand prix.
Vard, however, as is his nature, continues to be upbeat.
“Jessica has two world-class horses and has the possibility of going a long way. Harry and his mare Ado Annie remain a young partnership and it’s a similar situation for Dermott,” he said, adding that “Robert and Coolcorron Cool Diamond have a lot of mileage.”
lTHE fledgling Team Chase Ireland (TCI) are to kick start their 2005/2006 season at Waterloo House Stud, Cork in the second week of October.
The reaction to the group’s debut competition at the recent World Cup qualifier in Ballindenisk was nothing less than phenomenal, with tremendous interest in a sport that involves teams of four racing across cross-country.
Outings are also planned for Kerry, Tipperary and Galway before Christmas, as the group aims to build on its Ballindenisk success.
A meeting of TCI was held on Tuesday night and was well attended.
Competitions are open to everybody, following the payment of a once-off affiliation fee of €30 per person to TCI.
The group is also planning to expand its participation levels to incorporate junior, intermediate and senior classes.
