Investigators set to clear Army school
A tandem investigation conducted by military police is 80% complete and an interim report also maintains the high reputation of the school, according to the source.
The vets’ examination concerned animal husbandry, while the military police interviewed grooms and riding officers. It is understood that 80% of the interview process has been completed.
A Department of Defence spokesman, however, rejected that the reports had been completed, saying this would not be done until today.
The investigations were initiated last week by Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan and followed speculation concerning the abuse of horses in show-jumping.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Equestrian Federation of Ireland said they understood the Federation Equestre Internationale would be issuing a statement shortly on the results of the B blood sample test taken from Cian O'Connor's horse Waterford Crystal.
The test was conducted in New York on Monday.
O’Connor surprised everyone when he confirmed on Tuesday that he had been “unofficially” informed the test had revealed traces of fluphenazine and zuclopenthixol in Waterford Crystal.
The Meath-based rider said the discovery vindicated him in that the levels of the substances were so minute they afforded him no therapeutic or performance-enhancing advantage at the Games. The rules, however, are unambiguous: these substances are banned.
The two are anti-psychotic drugs designed for humans, but the US Equestrian Federation acknowledges the use of fluphenazine and warns riders/vets not to use it at least 45 days before competition.
O’Connor claims the drugs were administered on July 22, approximately four weeks before the Olympics.
On the face of it, the discovery of the substances was a hammer blow to O’Connor. Nevertheless, he has a strong argument in claiming that the positive A urine sample and B blood sample do not provide a direct link.
While it is speculated that the A blood sample tested negative in Paris, if otherwise - and nobody knows at this stage - the FEI case would be strengthened in that it would provide a direct link from A blood to B blood.
In the meantime, with no B urine sample - following its theft - to back up the positive A urine, O’Connor is likely to retain his medal. But at what price?
lROBERT SPLAINE said this week that a splint in Coolcorron Cool Diamond caused him to retire in last weekend’s World Cup competition at Verona, Italy.
“I think it may have happened in Oslo, but I did not realise until after Helsinki. The vet thought it would be fine ... but it acted up a little on day one in Verona. I was not happy with the way he was going in the World Cup, so I pulled up,” said the Corkman.
On Friday, Splaine and the stallion jumped a clear in a 1.50m class against the clock, but were over six seconds off the pace and placed 10th.
Splaine said it was too early to say if the stallion faced another protracted lay-off, having spent the first six-months of this year out with a knee injury.
“I’m keeping an open mind,” but “I’m concerned it is pressing on something and he may need rest,” he said, adding he would be consulting with a vet.
SHANE BREEN and World Cruise went where others could not follow at Kill Equestrian Centre last Sunday, opening the grand prix jump-off with a pace that remained unmatched.
Marion Hughes came closest in the 14-horse, tightly-fought competition, Heritage Transmission carrying her across the finish line 0.21 of a second adrift of the target.
The ubiquitous Cian O’Connor slotted into third, one-hundredth of a second further back on Echol Beach, while he also finished fourth on Rico de Laubry.
Breen’s win promoted him to fifth in the IJM TimberFrame Indoor League. League leader Olive Clarke added to her tally when fifth in Friday’s point-gaining 1.40m class. The Galway rider now stands on 38 points, 12 better than James Kernan.
THE Chairman of the SJAI’s Cork/Kerry Branch has had a Pauline conversion and yesterday confirmed the branch secretary would now be elected by the members at the AGM.
Last week, Pat Duggan said the contentious issue of who would fill the secretary’s position would be decided by the new officers following their election at the AGM, which takes place in Killarney on December 7.
Tony Hurley is the long-time incumbent and last year’s AGM saw much heated debate on the election procedure.
Mr Duggan said yesterday that, to the best of his knowledge, his change of heart was not reflected by all on the present committee.
Saying “it is for the betterment of show jumping in the Cork/ Kerry region,” he denied he had been pressurised by the SJAI national executive to maintain the status quo, ie that the secretary, like other positions, would be elected by branch members at the AGM.
“There was no coercion whatsoever ... and no discussion with any superior power in the SJAI,” he said, adding his decision came about “on mature reflection”.
Mr Duggan would not disclose what caused him to reverse his thinking, but denied the SJAI National Executive had threatened to injunct the branch to prevent it going ahead with the election of a secretary by the branch committee.
Last week, the SJAI General Manager John Lyttle issued a letter - at the request of SJAI Chairman Charles Hanley - drawing attention to the executive decision that at the branch AGM, “the full meeting shall elect the chairman, vice-chairman, hon-treasurer, hon secretary and committee”.
It is thought that nomination papers are due to be sent out for the above positions in the next few days.
SJAI Chairman Charles Hanley has confirmed that the first advertisement for a chief executive will be placed in the Irish Times today. He said further advertisements will appear in the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent in the next few weeks.
He also said he hoped discussions with the Dept of Agriculture would result in the association being allowed to issue passports again.
This facility was ended on October 4 with the enactment of EU legislation on equidae. Only the Irish Horse Board can do so since the law was introduced.
“If this is not sorted out by December, it could lead to delays in registrations,” he said.
DERMOTT LENNON claimed the International Golden Trophy and €4,000 purse in Vienna, Austria, last Sunday.
Riding I Caesar, the World Champion had two-tenths of a second to spare over German Franke Sloothaak on Sundance K in a competition with a 46-strong field.
Third in the speed class was the evergreen Briton John Whitaker on Gem of India.
WITH Aine Sheehy (Blessington Mayfly) eliminated, Ireland finished a disappointing sixth of six teams in last Sunday’s nations cup at Verona, Italy.
David O’Brien, riding Western Wonder, provided the only clear round for the team, but returned with 12 faults in round two. David O’Brien and Bertha’s Clover scored five and eight, while Shane Goggins concluded with 12 and 20. Ireland’s total was 45 faults, with Germany victorious on 12 faults.
