Babbington holds fire until World Cup qualifier
While giving Carling King a light workout yesterday, the Pennsylvania-based rider said he would not compete the gelding until the qualifier in his quest to attain the points that will cement his place in next month’s Las Vegas showcase.
“I’m working him now and he feels great, but, I’m not doing anything else with him in terms of competition before Sunday. He doesn’t need a run out ... he knows what’s it all about,” said Babington.
In the last qualifier in Wellington two weeks ago, the Carrick-on-Suir rider was only denied victory by a red-hot round from American Anne Kursinski. However, the 17 points he gained was enough to put him in contention on the East Coast North American League, with 39 points in the bag.
The perceived wisdom is that the low 40s will guarantee his place in a league carrying seven qualification places. The Athens Olympian, however, feels he needs more. Nothing less than the top three this weekend will do, he says, if he is to achieve his desire of avoiding the last two qualifiers in the run-up to the finals.
“I need to be in the top three to take the pressure off. Some say the early 40s will be good enough, but that could change if the riders below me do well. If the top rider go out and take more points, it would benefit me,” said Babington.
Spice had been added to the mix in Sunday’s competition, he said, with the arrival of some points-hungry riders from this side of the pond.
“There a good few contenders from Europe here, such as Michael Whitaker, Philip Rozier and Herve Godignon. So, it’s going to be fairly competitive,” he said.
While Babington will be doing his stuff Stateside, Jessica Kürten is preparing to take up her challenge at Paris next week. Babington may be on the cusp of qualification, but Kürten remains off the pace, lying in 26th place on the Western European League with 23 points.
Again the early 40s is spoken of as the target figure and, like Babington, she has three throws of the dice - Paris, s'Hertogenbosch (March 20) and Gothenburg, Sweden (March 27). However, she will need to put her disappointing Vigo performance - where she finished equal eighth with Castle Forbes Libertina - behind her and replicate her Bordeaux runner-up result if she is to be in with a chance of a gamble in Vegas.
CIAN O’CONNOR’S solicitor yesterday confirmed he had received the documentation outlining the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) case against the show jumper.
“We received a submission as of Monday,” said Andrew Coonan, “it came by FedEx.
“It includes the list of witnesses and their defence of the arguments we proposed.”
Olympic champion O’Connor will appear with his legal team and witnesses before the FEI Judicial Committee on Easter Sunday, March 27, in Zurich, Switzerland. He is battling to keep his gold medal after his mount, Waterford Crystal, tested positive for banned substances. Not surprisingly, Coonan was reluctant to gaze into his crystal ball and predict the outcome.
“We feel we have a strong case, but one can never tell with an inquiry of this nature.”
Coonan said the exact location of the hearing “has not yet been determined”.
The FEI suffered a blow recently when the head of its legal department Mary Parker-Hunter quit after 11 years with the federation.
BILLY TWOMEY and four other jump-off riders were forced by bad weather to share the spoils in the small grand prix in Vejer de la Frontera, last Sunday.
Such were the conditions at, ironically the Sunshine Tour, that the grand prix proper was cancelled.
Roisin Corkery and Gold Crown finished equal second in the 1.40m small tour grand prix.
WHITE smoke has yet to appear at SJAI headquarters as they look to appoint a CEO. Having identified their man, Chairman Charles Hanley yesterday said contract negotiations were still underway. He had hoped to be in a position to reveal the identity of the man last week, but yesterday said: “It is better that we have all our Is dotted and Ts crossed before we make an announcement.”
He said the CEO would be expected to work a six-month probationary period.
JACK DOYLE jumped a double clear with Owen II in the grand prix at Vilamoura, Portugal, last Sunday, but his time of 42.06 seconds was only good enough to place him seventh.
Peter Charles kept the Irish flag flying on Saturday, riding Rockstar to victory in a 1.45m two-phase class. Marion Hughes also figured prominently, placing third on Oh Jessie and 10th with Heritage Transmission.
Earlier Hampshire-based rider Charles was fourth in a 1.35m jump-off competition, with Denis Flannelly and Euforia slotting into seventh and Niall Talbot tenth and eleventh on Arrisma and Askan IV, respectively.
On Sunday Talbot steered Hobby du Trimbolot to fourth in a 1.30m speed class. The subsequent speed class saw Neal Fearon achieve the same result on Wildcat Clover King.
Irish riders also battled hard in the amateur classes, with Elese Pottie taking fifth with Indiana Daudaie and sixth, riding Olita, in a speed competition. In a follow-up jump-off contest, Gerard Campbell rode Pannamarenca to fourth place.
EVENTING IRELAND’S strategic plan got the thumbs up at an EGM in Kill, Co Kildare, last Sunday.
Passed by a large majority, the plan will be implemented by interim board this year.
The plan envisages changes in the whole structure of the organisation, from training to finance to PR. This will culminate in members voting on a new constitution.
The plan emerged from the ashes of the Athens Olympics,where Ireland’s eventers failed to realise their potential.
SHOW jumping at Millstreet will include two outdoor arenas from tomorrow.
Competition begins at 10.30am sharp with newcomer ponies. The first of the horse competitions - 0.90m - begins at 1pm in the second outdoor arena.
The spring leagues have been a victim of their success, with large numbers necessitating the use of the extra outdoor arena. However, bad weather will see all competitions moved indoors.
Full details in the January and March bulletins.
THE world-famous Zangersheide is to sponsor the Belgian national jumping team for four years to the Beijing Olympics. The deal is worth of €350 000 and the formal agreement will be signed shortly.
