Top rider to be decided by text voting
The new means of selection came about after the club found itself at the centre of a storm last year when it selected Cian O’Connor for the award after his horse Waterford Crystal tested positive for banned substances at the Athens Olympics.
Club spokesman David Darragh noted this week that there was “dissatisfaction” last year and said: “We are a new committee and decided to do things on a more transparent basis this year. We felt text voting was the best way.
“Those riders in line for the award are the top four in the FEI rankings who rode in Super League competitions this year.”
Accordingly, if you want Billy Twomey to get the accolade, text Billy to 53307. The other three riders are Dermott Lennon (text Dermott, or, Dermot to 53307), Jessica Kürten (text Jessica to 53307) and Shane Breen (text Shane to 53307).
Some would consider the club is heading for another bout of controversy in throwing Kürten into the mix, considering she refused to ride for the national team this year after she questioned the selection process. There are almost weekly reminders, however, that she is Ireland’s in-form rider and her elevation to number six in the world rankings is a first for an Irish woman.
Coincidentally, Kürten is in line for another award: The Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year. This follows her selection this week by the paper as Sportswoman of the Month for October.
As for the Showjumpers’ Club honour, the Antrim-born rider will undoubtedly have stiff competition from Twomey, whose performance in Barcelona should prove unforgettable enough to garner him substantial support. Lennon and Breen, meanwhile, have always had strong fan base.
Voters have until midnight on Friday, November 25, to text their choice. Votes made before November 19 will be entered into a draw for two tickets to the awards ceremony, which takes place in the Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare, on Saturday, November 26. Votes costs 60c per message.
The club will also unveil a new award this year in memory of Paul Darragh, brother of David. The legendary rider was one of the founders of the Showjumpers’ Club. He died unexpectedly last January. The Paul Darragh Special Achievement Award will be marked by a perpetual trophy commissioned by Paul’s father, Professor Austin Darragh and family. The award will be presented on an annual basis and this year by Paul’s wife Jane.
Also receiving recognition at this year’s ball will be the National Rider of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Horse Owner of the Year, Horse Breeder of the Year, Young Rider of the Year, Groom of the Year, Hall of Fame and others, sponsored by Cavan Equestrian.
Meanwhile, Kürten will have a chance to further enhance her chances of winning the International Rider of the Year Award when she lines out at Stuttgart World Cup Show next week.
It emerged this week that the German-based rider will replace Shane Breen who said he pulled out of the show, due to a “slight set-back” with World Cruise.
“He’s back in work and in good health, but I could not get a show before Stuttgart to prepare him, so I thought it wiser to withdraw,” said Breen.
Ironically, German-based Kürten yesterday revealed that she had already secured a wild card entry from the organisers.
* CONOR SWAIL had a right to be optimistic going into the Verona World Cup Qualifier last Sunday, having placed seventh with Poncho in the 1.50m pre-qualifier.
However, any expectation was dashed, the 34-year-old Co Down rider finishing 32nd after amassing 25 faults with the eight-year-old Dutch-bred gelding.
In mitigation, the track set by Italian course-designer Giovanni Bussu produced two falls, four eliminations and retirement for two, including the experienced German partnership of Lars Nieberg and Loreana.
A 10-horse jump-off, finished with Dutchman Albert Zoer on Oki Doki in pole position.
Ireland’s pony riders were unlucky not to claim victory in the nations cup at the Italian fixture, one fence down leaving them in joint second.
David Blake was the star, playing the part of pathfinder to perfection with a double clear on Sillogue Darkie.
Alison Irwin (Western Wonder) opened with a four fault round, but came home clear on her second outing, while Peter Moloney (Derravagh Gambler) concluded his first round on zero, but notched up eight faults in round two. Paddy MacDonagh (Bertha’s Clover) provided the discard score in round one with 16 faults. He finished his second round on four to give the team a total of eight, the same as Germany. France won the competition on four faults.
Irwin was also in the frame in the grand prix, a fast time in the jump-off being offset by four faults as she finished in third place on Western Wonder. Alan O’Regan placed second in a speed class on Dandy Lad.
* CHAIRMAN of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland Charles Hanley confirmed yesterday that “all terms have been agreed” with Robert Splaine regarding his installation as chef d’equipe for the senior national team.
This followed a meeting of the SJAI International Affairs Committee in Cavan on Wednesday, Hanley and Corkman Splaine.
Hanley said: “His name will be presented to the Equestrian Federation of Ireland executive, which is scheduled to meet on Friday, November 18, after which we expect there will be a formal announcement.”
The SJAI must present its application for Irish Sports Council funding for 2006 by the end of this month.
* SPACE restrictions last week saw the stars of the Owners Horse and Pony Show denied deserved publicity.
Thus, the €5,000 Imperial Hotel / Patrons of the Charity Show 148cms Grand Prix saw Alex Duffy come out tops after 10 progressed to the second round. Riding Our Foreman, he crossed the line with a second in hand to deny Peter Moloney, who looked to be on his way to victory with Loughnatousa Ron, one of three he had in the jump-off.
In the 1.20m Juniors and Young Riders Grand Prix just two of the eight combinations in the timed round mastered the jump-off course. Top prize in the Juniors went to David O’Brien and Lancelot De Tatitude, his round a second-and-a-half faster than that set by Darragh Kenny on Lisa De Jaf.
In the Young Riders section, Ger O’Neill and Chrusos denied Gemma Phelan riding Ballyvooney
Mark Flynn and Ballinaclover Boy reigned supreme in the Imperial Hotel/Patrons of the Show 1.30m Young Riders Grand Prix. Ger O’Neill slotted into second with Little Miss Puissance after Alan Wade’s track proved a worthy test. Rosaleen Hyde, aboard Awbeg Duchess, provided the only other double clear to finish third.
The Ireland’s Horse Review 138cms Final went to Carol Cawley and Kildea Hero. Jessica Burke steered Glascoune Sweeper to second place.
Cork’s Colin O’Sullivan and Turbo Boy were deserved winners of The Ireland’s Horse Review 128cms Finals on Saturday, with Mayo’s Cormac Hanley and Trina Chéile runners-up.
Saturday also Peter Moloney and Jacknell Street take the lion’s share of the €2,000 prizefund in the 148cms ABC.
Leading Girl Rider/Pony combination of the Show was Jessica Lee with the consistent 128cms pony The Little Hero, while Aidan Killeen and Killtiera Fionn took the Leading Boy / Pony title.
* MICHAEL BUCKLEY and Garrison Z notched up a brace last week in the final of the Autumn Horse League at The Ballyrafter Centre.
The Cappoquin rider laid the template for his double in the 1.00m final in a nine-horse jump-off, coming home two-tenths of a second ahead of Clonmel’s Niamh Tobin and her new mare Ballyquirke Flight.
He repeated the feat in the 1.10m final, Charles Patterson’s Ricardo Z offspring carrying him to victory ahead of Watergrasshill’s Sean Kelly and Rosarie Murphy’s Laura Angel.
It was the first part of a double of sorts for Kelly, who again found himself in the runner’s-up spot in the 1.20m final, with Tadhg Beecher and Loughnatousa Quinton taking the honours by two-tenths of a second.
Clonmel rider Oonagh McMahon opened proceedings at the Lismore centre, steering Over the Limit to victory in the 0.80m final, while Stradbally’s Aine Cummins won a very competitive 0-90cms on her own Clonard Master Nibs.
