Motions submitted to have national executive reduced
The Connaught Region and the Northern Region have submitted motions that the association’s national executive be reduced from 21 members (five from each of the four regions plus the chairman) to 17 (four from each region, of which one will be a named substitute, plus the chairman).
Crucially, however, only three from each region would attend meetings at any one time, meaning that, in reality, the executive would number only 13 (this includes the chairman), amounting to a reduction of over one-third in the make up of the ruling body.
For some time, many people have felt the executive is too unwieldy and that a reduction in the size would greatly streamline the workings of the association.
Not surprisingly, Connaught Region chairman Tommy Dixon counts himself as one of these.
“It is difficult with such a large executive holding diverse views to get consensus,” he says.
“A smaller more cohesive group would ensure that showjumping would make better and faster progress. Showjumping is a business with people depending on it to make a living and it has to be business driven.
“There has to be a move to a more professional ethos than exists currently,” said the Westerner.
Mr Dixon has a vision of an executive made up of people with a marketing, business and show jumping background.
Mr Dixon, who has served four years on the executive, said the Connaught Region committee had given unanimous support for the proposal and, anticipating its passing on Tuesday, he hoped a large turnout would ensure a full debate.
But this seemingly populist proposal is not without its detractors.
Cork executive member and current chairman of the Cork/Kerry Branch John Hannan is wholeheartedly against the proposals of the Northern/Connaught axis.
In an open letter to SJAI members, Mr Hannan outlined his objections to the proposal, saying that if the motions are carried ... “the association will find itself being run by a select group of twelve with a very narrow input of members’ view and concerns. We could again find the association shrouded in suspicion and negative perception. We also run the risk of self-interest taking control of the association.”
He says that, while the current set up is not ideal, it would benefit the association to change its workings rather than change the executive itself.
The Mallow engineer said: “We must strive to retain the executive in its present form to ensure that it remains a transparent, democratic board bringing to the board table the views and aspirations of the wider membership.”
Saying the present executive set up works well, if a little “tediously”, he propounds that the “if the sub-committee system were properly administered, then we would have a truly democratic and transparent board running the SJAI”.
He urges debate on “these ill-proposed changes ... to ensure that our association remains in the hands of a wide representative executive and not risk the possibility of a vested interest hijack”.
FOR the eighth successive year, the Irish Sport Horse Studbook has topped the eventing rankings of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses.
The Irish Sport Horse Studbook topped the 2001/2002 rankings with a total of 1,111 points, well clear of runner-up the Selle Francais and third place Hannovarian studbooks with 796 and 538 points respectively.
The top six Irish Sport Horses in the 2001/2002 eventing rankings were: 3rd Highland Lad by Taldi (TB), 4th Supreme Rock by Edmund Burke (TB), 11th Shear L’Eau by Stan the Man (TB), 12th Moonman by I’m a Star (TB), 30th Shear H20 by Stan the Man (TB), 35th Comanche by I’m a Star (TB).
In the 2001/2002 showjumping rankings, the Irish Sport Horse Studbook was placed 7th, with Liscalgot the best in 18th.
CLEM MCMAHON did just enough to win the Indoor Show Jumping League crown and deny Robert Splaine at Cavan Equestrian Centre last weekend. McMahon claimed victory by one point.
Corkman Splaine led the league almost from the outset until overhauled on home territory in Millstreet last weekend. He went to the Cavan international show two points adrift.
On Saturday, he fell further into arrears, when McMahon extended his lead to seven by coming second with Gelvin Clover in the first points-gaining class of the show, as Splaine finished empty-handed when eighth on Coolcorron Cool Diamond.
Thus it all hinged on Sunday’s 10,500 Aer Rianta Grand Prix.
After making the jump-off, a clear round with the stallion Coolcorron Cool Diamond was the first part of the task achieved, But, the Corkman’s time of 39.03 seconds was only good enough for third place, with runner-up Cameron Hanley (Jerome) just under half a second faster in 38.56.
Victory went to Harry Marshall, another four-hundredths of a second to the good on Splendido.
The show was also a big success for Cian O’Connor, who was named leading national rider, leading international rider and leading male rider.
O’Connor has now won the leading national and international rider awards at Dublin and Cavan this year.
In Cavan, O’Connor claimed two international classes, the Gain Horsefeeds Welcome Stakes and the Cavan Co Council Jump Off Challenge, both on ABC Landliebe.
LIFFEY VALLEY, the horse formerly ridden by Hazel O’Callaghan, jumped a double clear in a 1.30m class at Cavan International Horse Show with its new owner in the plate, Ryan Crumley.
Crumley, who is based with Cian O’Connor, bought the horse from Hazel’s mother Shelagh O’Callaghan three weeks ago and now competes it under the name
Baltimore.
IRELAND’S pony riders took third place in the nations cup in Verona, Italy, on Sunday.
Bernice Gaffney, Orlaith Sheehan, Andrew Ryan and Sarah Jane Tracy finished behind victors Italy.
Orlaith Sheehan also came second in the grand prix with Cuffsgrange, neting the Leading Foreign Rider award.
THE Cork/Kerry Region of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland will hold its annual awards night at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, this Saturday.Winners will be announced on the night.
There are still a limited number of tickets available from: 021/4371982
THE West Cork Irish Draught Society is also holding its annual dinner at the Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, Co Cork, on Saturday, November 23. Guest speaker is Dan Butler of the German branch of the Irish Draught Society. Tickets at: 023/41877.
