Doyle and Dowling clash over new body

EQUESTRIAN Federation of Ireland (EFI) president, Avril Doyle, yesterday said the current obstacle surrounding the setting up of an umbrella body for equestrianism can only be overcome by the man at the centre of the dispute, Michael Dowling.

Her comment comes days after it was revealed that Mr Dowling is a member of the Agricultural Trust, which owns the Farmers Journal. The newspaper has taken a positive view of Mr Dowling's suitability for the post and, in doing so, has criticised Ms Doyle for the EFI rejection of him.

Mr Dowling has been nominated by Sports Minister, John O'Donoghue and Agriculture Minister, Joe Walsh to head up an implementation group to devise structures for the umbrella body. However, the EFI has questioned his independence due to his past association with the Department of Agriculture as its secretary.