Marshall refuses to replace O’Connor on team
Marshall said the selectors could do nothing to make him change his mind - apart from resigning.
“It’s an insult to be asked to prepare for a show like Aachen in three days. A horseman would not attempt to do it,” said Marshall, who described showjumping in Ireland as “a shambles”.
Marshall made his comments after O’Connor yesterday withdrew from the team, citing injury to his horse Waterford Crystal.
In a statement, he said: “It is with regret that I must withdraw Waterford Crystal from the nations cup in Aachen next week.
“Waterford Crystal has an old splint, which has reactivated. It would not be prudent to compete until this condition has resolved itself.”
To dispel any doubts regarding the injury, “independent” vet Brian Gormley assessed the gelding yesterday, said head of selectors Taylor Vard.
“Longford vet Brian Gormley confirms Waterford Crystal has an old splint that has reactivated and confirms that the horse should be withdrawn from travelling,” said Vard.
The latest twist in the Irish showjumping saga led to frantic efforts by Vard to get Jessica Kuerten on the team instead of O’Connor.
Last night, he said: “I cannot get hold of Jessica. I am imploring her to help Irish showjumping in its time of need.”
Both Kuerten and Marshall vowed not to ride on a team with O’Connor, and are in dispute with the selectors. Marshall recently accused O’Connor of having him replaced on the Dublin Horse Show team, a charge O’Connor rejected.
But even if the selectors find a replacement, organisers may not permit such a late entry.
O’Connor’s decision is a huge blow as Ireland bid to avoid relegation from the Samsung Super League.
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that O’Connor is to sue a Sunday paper following an article alleging mistreatment of a horse.
“Legal correspondence in relation to an article in last Sunday’s Ireland on Sunday was delivered to that newspaper this afternoon,” said a statement yesterday.
O’Connor said this week: “I categorically reject an allegation made in Ireland on Sunday ... indicating I abused a horse at Dublin Horse Show in 2003. This story is totally untrue.”
