Macken is officially appointed as trainer
The announcement came after it emerged last week that the original choice, Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Mullins, Commanding Officer of the Army Equitation School, had stepped aside following representation by riders on behalf of Macken.
Lieutenant Colonel Mullins will now act as chef d'equipe at some Nations Cups in the run up to Athens along with Tommy Wade who was designated Olympic team chef d'equipe.
Vancouver-based Macken denied there was any controversy surrounding his appointment. "The original appointment was made but when it was reviewed it was decided that it was best to have us all on board," said Macken. "Myself, Tommy Wade and Gerry Mullins are all happy with the outcome and now it's just a case of getting on with the job," said the show jumping legend.
Macken will receive no salary but his expenses for attending eight Samsung Super League Shows and the Olympics will cost the SJAI approximately €40,000.
Lieutenant Colonel Mullins was not at yesterday's meeting due to a visit by Britain's Princess Anne to the Army Equitation School. The meeting was followed by another with the riders at which 11 of the 17 long listed for Athens attended.
