‘Kürten should put aside differences’
Kürten pulled out of the RDS showcase a number of days ago, having previously said she would not compete alongside former Olympic champion Cian O’Connor, who was also named on Friday’s team.
But Twomey, who has also been selected, yesterday said she took the wrong option.
While the Corkman stressed that the Antrim-born rider was entitled to make her own judgment, he said that with Ireland bottom of the Samsung Super League, she should have helped in the relegation battle.
“I know she had issues with Cian and we’ve got to respect the she is entitled to her own opinion,” said Twomey on the eve of the show’s first day. “But we do need her. She has the best horses at the moment and she can jump double clears. I’m devastated she is not on the team and the chances of winning would be a lot easier if she was involved.”
Twomey was reticent to add fuel to the fire ahead of Friday’s crunch competition, but, when pressed for his opinion, he said: “If I was to be honest, I feel she should have put her opinions and differences aside and looked at the bigger picture, ie Ireland’s Super League troubles. We are in a sticky situation. We could do without this controversy. Everything must be put aside for the sake of the team,” said Twomey, who produced one of only three double clears to help Ireland win last year.
Earlier this year, Kürten vowed she would not ride with O’Connor. When she was named on the Dublin team, speculation mounted as to whether she would follow through on her promise. Matters came to a head in the run-up to last Friday’s nations cup at Hickstead, where Ireland placed fourth. With the selectors desperate to put out its strongest team, it is thought a third party intervened offering Kürten in the team. Kürten was then asked to sign a document saying she would line out alongside anyone of the selectors’ choosing. She subsequently withdrew her name for Dublin.
Last night, she appeared on TV and said she was surprised this dispute had been made public, saying she was upset to get phone calls from the press following her withdrawal.
She rejected the notion she was changing her competitive nationality as stupidity. She said she had “lost confidence” in the selectors and, when asked if she would compete alongside O’Connor in the future, she said did not expect to line out for Ireland this year, as she did not think she would be selected.
Despite her decision to withdraw, she hoped Ireland would remain in the Super League.
At present, Ireland prop up the league on 11.5 points, with the team in last place relegated at the end of the season. However, giving hope is the fact they are just 0.5 points adrift of the Netherlands and a further 0.5 points behind Belgium. After Dublin, the league moves to Aachen in Germany, before the final in Barcelona, where there are double points on offer. While time is running out, Twomey remains optimistic.
“This week, we will be focused on what we have to do and we have as good a chance as any other country.
“We just need one good result to stay in the league, either a win or second. Aachen will be difficult, so, realistically, have to do it in Dublin. It is crucial that we finish above the Belgians and he Dutch from now on in,” he said.
Twomey will ride his second string Anastasia III and hopes to have his top horse Luidam back for the German fixture. Joining him and O’Connor on the Dublin team will be Captain Shane Carey and Harry Marshall, with Clem McMahon in as a replacement for Kürten.
Aside from Friday’s nations cup - in which Germany will be hoping to consolidate their lead over the US - other highlights in the five-day show include the puissance on Saturday and the grand prix on Sunday. A prize fund of €600,000 makes the show the centre-piece of Irish equestrianism and the attendance of 80,000 are guaranteed plenty of action.
