EFI takes over international team selection
The development came following a meeting yesterday between the two organisations and the Sports Council.
In a statement, the EFI said it had “taken on, with immediate effect, selection for senior and developmental international show jumping, on an interim basis”.
It continued: “This is to ensure that our teams enjoy stability and continuity for the current season, and in particular the run-up to the World Equestrian Games.
“The president (Charles Powell) and Secretary General (Dan Butler) of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland have taken this action in light of events surrounding show jumping during the past year, and the negative publicity and upset they have caused.
“In accordance with the regulations of the World Governing Body, the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) the EFI is responsible for the selection of international teams and the appointment of a chef d’equipe.
“The EFI will shortly be announcing details of its show jumping selection committee.”
The EFI executive, which is made up of its affiliate organisations including the SJAI, meets on Monday and yesterday’s development is expected to dominate discussions, though it will be noted the EFI says it has taken on team selection “on an interim basis”.
The new SJAI chairperson Patricia Furlong, who, with acting SJAI director general Liz Pottie, was at yesterday’s meeting with the EFI and the Irish Sports Council, said: “The SJAI is going to consider the events of today and would hope to discuss them in full at Monday’s executive meeting of the EFI.”
The EFI move comes a month after it decided to deny the SJAI its allocation of state funding for 2006.
In early December, Mr Butler sent a letter to the then SJAI demanding it restart the process of finding a new chef d’equipe for the senior Irish team, despite it having arrived at a verbal agreement with veteran show jumper Robert Splaine. The EFI also demanded the SJAI initiate an independent process of finding a new director general, following the decision not to extend the contract of Robert Joyce.
Last year, Ireland just survived being relegated from the Samsung Nations Cup Super League. With the start of the 2006 series just months away, tension is mounting as to the need for preparations to commence to avoid a similar fate.
The is the second time in as many years that the EFI has taken over team selection from the SJAI.
