SJAI to host meeting on review of selection process
The gathering at Dublin Airport will comprise riders who competed on teams in 2004/2005, members of the SJAI executive and the International Affairs Committee (the selectors).
SJAI chairman Charles Hanley said it was a chance for all to “air their views” on what has proved a highly contentious issue.
“There will probably be a change in the selection system. Whether that will see one paid chef d’equipe - who will be mainly in charge of the teams for the Samsung Super League - with a support group, ideally comprising one person from the SJAI and the EFI (Equestrian Federation of Ireland), remains to be seen. But that seems to be the way it is moving.”
Hanley hopes a consensus will be achieved, with the SJAI ultimately putting forward a proposal to the EFI for “rubber-stamping”.
“Everybody will be entitled to put forward their casebut, most of all, it is important the SJAI are unified in bringing the format forward.”
Whether that format is a fresh approach, or, a continuance of the status quo is anyone’s guess, but Hanley said: “Riders sometimes have influence in selecting themselves, which is not the way it should be. It should be fair across the board.”
EFI Secretary General Dan Butler said it was the preferred option that the SJAI organise the process by which parties ventilate their opinions. He said an EFI review committee of three people, including new EFI president Charles Powell, would then examine any proposal presented by the SJAI.
The review of the selection process was promised by former EFI president Avril Doyle amid the turmoil that surfaced at Dublin Show, where Harry Marshall joined Jessica Kürten in refusing to ride for Ireland.
The current selection structure is committee-based, with a chairman, four regional representatives from the SJAI and a member of the Showjumpers’ Club all holding voting rights in team selection. The EFI and the Army Equitation School have observer status. Initially, it was envisaged the chef d’equipe would also have voting rights, but that post was filled by committee members when Eddie Macken rejected the position.
Considering Ireland retained their Super League place - albeit by the skin of their teeth - the selectors will, understandably, feel they did a good job in difficult circumstances. Nobody could argue with their commitment and they would suggest that much of Ireland’s difficulties this year can be attributed to the lack of horsepower.
It is a valid point, but it does not preclude the argument the process has proven to be flawed. Whether it is at a fundamental level, requiring radical change, is something for those at the coalface to decide in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, the Showjumpers’ Club are also throwing their lot into the melting pot, holding a meeting on October 25.
They plan to send out invitations this week to riders. Representatives of the SJAI and EFI will also be invited.
Spokesman David Darragh yesterday said the club would be targeting a broader representation of riders than the SJAI. He said the meeting was a follow-on from their opening convening of riders at Dublin Airport last month. That finished on an inauspicious note, with Jessica Kürten leaving abruptly following a comment by Capt Gerry Flynn.
* FOR the second weekend in-a-row, Ireland’s show jumpers took the top two placings in a grand prix abroad.
Ryan Crumley and Cameron Hanley rounded off a successful show in Zagreb - in individual terms - with a convincing win in the feature competition.
In doing so, they emulated Jessica Kürten and Trevor Coyle, who placed one-two in Estoril, Portugal.
Crumley and Hanley were the only riders of 39 starters in Sunday’s competition to post double clears.
The latter, who rides for a Turkish family in Germany, was first to go and opted for a safe clear, crossing the line in 42.90 seconds on Hippica Kerman.
The former, riding Baltimore, rose to the challenge and crossed the finish line in 40.52 seconds to take the top prize.
In victory, Crumley denied his compatriot a hat-trick at the four-star Croatian show, with Hanley having finished in pole position twice with Night Dancer. This ensured Hanley picked up the leading rider award.
In Friday’s nations cup, two time faults proved costly, as the team finished sixth in a closely-fought competition, despite a double clear from Neal Fearon.
Italy were victorious on a zero score, but three countries shared second on eight faults - Austria, German and Switzerland - with Sweden fifth on nine faults. Ireland, under chef d’equipe Robert Splaine, were just two faults further back.
Crumley (Baltimore) matched Fearon in the jumping stakes, but had a single time fault in round two. Sarah Kate Quinlivan (Newmarket Girl) also fell foul of the clock, ending her opening round on a single time fault, returning for an eight-fault display in round two. Cameron Hanley (Hippica Kerman) accumulated eight in the opener and was not called upon in round two.
Jessica Kürten continued her winning ways last weekend, notching up a brace at Linkoping, Sweden. She opened her account with a win on Quibell, the mare carrying her to victory in a jump-off class. Laurus 14 provided her with her second win in a 1.40m speed class.
* CLAREMORRIS EQUESTRIAN CENTRE will stage its autumn league grand prix this Sunday. The culmination of a three-day indoor championships, the competition carries a prizefund of €3,000 and boasts points for the autumn league.
* BALLYKENLY Charity Hunter Trials in Co Cork will go ahead on the scheduled date of October 30.
