Kürten’s return to squad a priority for Irish selectors

JESSICA KÜRTEN emerged this week as the number two ranked show jumper in the world. No mean feat, it came as little surprise following her string of wins against the sport’s elite, including victory in the Dubai Grand Prix, the world’s richest show jumping contest.

The 36-year-old must be lauded for being the first Irish rider to reach such an exalted position in the Federation Equestre Internationale/Gandini rankings list since its inception six years ago.

But as Kürten made her way ever upwards, each elevation brought back into focus the situation where she is not part of the Irish squad. The owner of her horses, Lady Georgina Forbes, has refused to let the animals compete for the team. It is a situation that goes back to last year and one not helped when Kürten did not get the nod from the selectors for sought-after World Cup slots.