Chink of light in gloom surrounding showjumping
In the meantime, the Showjumpers’ Club must be commended for convincing the warring and concerned parties to attend a clear-the-air meeting. Notable among the attendees were riders Jessica Kürten, Harry Marshall, Cian O’Connor and selectors chairman Taylor Vard. The other riders present must also be applauded for coming to Dublin (though, it could be argued it was in everyone’s interest to do so).
While ultimately it failed to break the deadlock, the fact they were willing to meet in one room was, in itself, a success. Continuing on a positive note, there was “unanimous” agreement on one thing. However, it wasn’t that the proposal that emerged from the meeting - that change was required and that one person be given sole responsibility to select Super League teams - is, necessarily positive. Others, such as the Show Jumping Association of Ireland, must decide that. No, the important thing is that all concerned found common ground.
Thus, when Kürten said in yesterday’s Irish Examiner that she was looking forward to appearing on the Irish team again and said she expected to line out alongside Cian O’Connor next year, it showed, taken on face value, a further willingness to compromise.
Yesterday, Showjumpers’ Club chairman Jack Doyle welcomed her comments: “There is very little doubt Jessica wants to jump for Ireland. She has made a stand on principle, but her comments yesterday and her willingness to discuss things are helpful.”
Some would question her apparent volte face, having heretofore being steadfast in her stance she would not ride with O’Connor. In addition, her request for a chef d’equipe be appointed as chef with sole selection rights for the remainder of 2005 - until a review of the selection process takes place - could be construed by some as her eyeing the forthcoming World Cup series and her possible involvement.
Chef d’equipe at the Samsung Super League final John Ledingham had been put forward at Tuesday’s meeting with sole selection rights for the Spanish finale. It was an olive branch on behalf of the management, going some way to assuage the demand for a change in the selection process. Yesterday, however, he said: “I haven’t made myself available as sole selector” for 2005.
Also, some would view Kürten’s suggestion that she could replace Cian O’Connor - who rides the relatively-inexperience Irish Independent Echo Beach - in Barcelona as somewhat disingenuous.
But there is no detracting from the view that, overall, Kürten is looking to the future and her return to the fold.
As for Barcelona, today is the deadline for the submission of teams. Carrying Irish hopes will be Capt Shane Carey, Billy Twomey, Shane Breen, Dermott Lennon and O’Connor. They face a difficult task, with Ireland bottom of the pile on 15 points, 3.5 behind the Netherlands and four behind Belgium. It is calculated that they must finish fifth or better with either Belgium and/or the Netherlands finishing last.
CIAN O’CONNOR came out tops in his head-to-head with Sarah Kate Quinlivan in the Iverk Grand Prix in Kilkenny yesterday, stealing the IJM TimberFrame League title at the final hurdle.
O’Connor knowing he had to be at his best, rode a superb round to put pressure on last-to-go Quinlivan, who held an eight-point lead in the tussle for league honours. But an uncharacteristic two fences down with Newmarket Girl left O’Connor competition winner and 2005 champion.
I’m delighted to win the national title and very happy and proud with the achievement,” said O’Connor.
“I knew there was no point in being second and had to give it a shot. I could not take a chance, knowing Sarah had been so consistent all year. Tommy Wade was here and he encouraged me to take out a stride to the second last and last fence, which paid off,” said the Meath-based rider, who had a second-and-a-half to spare over second-placed Richie Moloney (Early Days), as Francis Connors slotted into third with the fastest of the four-faulters on Auto Cruz.
O’Connor, who finished on 114 points, 12 better than Quinlivan, was fulsome in his praise of his 22-year-old Cork rival, who had wrested the lead from in the latter part of the summer.
“Sarah Kate is a wonderful rider. One of the best young riders in a long long time, I really mean that. To do what she has done with only a one horse is a superb achievement.”
