Riders get their way as Macken replaces Mullins
The commanding officer of the Army Equitation School was initially installed as trainer following discussions amongst the Show Jumping Association of Ireland selectors and chef d'equipe Tommy Wade. But, after some riders flexed their muscles, Vancouver-based Macken was deemed the best man for the job.
Lt Col Mullins will continue in his previous capacity as number two chef d'equipe behind Tipperary man Wade and will also fall in as trainer when Macken is unavailable.
If the discord had been revealed earlier it would not have impressed the Irish Sports Council who announced record olympic funding for equestrianism last week.
Yesterday, Lt Col Mullins said he was at ease with the decision. "This is not about personalities, it is about the team. It is about making the riders as comfortable as possible and allowing them as much freedom as possible.
"We have a good chance in Athens and we must make the best of it," he said.
"I see riders as wanting a wider choice. It does not mean I will not be available if riders want me.
"The job of administration is to make life easier for riders and I am sure Eddie will have a great working relationship with the riders, as I have," said Lt Col Mullins, whose record as chef d'equipe in the past few years is impressive.
Head of the selectors Peter Leonard yesterday said the issue was resolved, adding "there is no dissension amongst the riders over Eddie's appointment".
Chronicling the events that lead up to Macken replacing Lt Col Mullins, Mr Leonard said:
1) Lt Col Mullins was appointed as trainer in November.
2) Talks in December with the 17 riders on the long-list, showed just one disagreed with the appointment.
3) "Subsequently Eddie's name entered the equation and, from there, the riders canvassed amongst themselves and it emerged that it was roughly 50-50 as to who of the two men should be trainer," said Leonard.
4) "At the end of January, Eddie made his first contact with me personally, making himself available for the position.
"All those involved in making the decision the international affairs committee (selectors, Leonard, Taylor Vard, Brendan McArdle and Paul Duffy), Equestrian Federation of Ireland Secretary General Dan Butler and team manager John Ledingham discussed it with Lt Col Mullins, who said that he would abide by any decision of the international affairs committee in the interests of the Olympic effort and organisational harmony," Mr Leonard said.
"This is the first time we have had a trainer's position. It was included in our programme submitted for ISC funding to strengthen out application.
"Before that, riders never requested a trainer, but we had to do what is best for the team and what the riders are most comfortable with," he said.
As for Macken's suitability for the position, Mr Leonard said that he had acted as chef d'equipe at young rider level and the senior team at Spruce Meadows in Canada.
"But his vast knowledge of the sport is an undoubted asset to us," he said of the former show jumping great.
Asked if Macken's appointment could see him go on to replace Tommy Wade when the latter steps down as number one chef d'equipe, he replied: "Tommy will not retire for the foreseeable future.
"He has been in the position for 10 years and the last five years have been our most successful for a long time, producing a world champion, winning the European Championship, coming second in Super League last year and now heading for the Olympics."
Leonard also said the issue of a salary for Macken would be looked at, adding: "I presume we will to have to pick up his expenses. This will be discussed, particularly as Eddie is based in Vancouver."
He said a meeting with the riders, originally scheduled for February 10, would now be held next Tuesday. Also on the agenda are the aims and goals for 2004, the team selection for the early season nations cup competitions, and general information on the high performance scheme. "We now have the best of all worlds, with Tommy as chef and Gerry and Eddie as trainer," said Leonard. Ultimately, it is hoped this issue will not leave a sour taste that could taint efforts to win a medal even before a single fence has been jumped in the pre-Athens campaign.
Eddie Macken was unavailable for comment.
MARION HUGHES is hoping to make a good impression this year in the run-up to the Olympics and in Heritage Fortunas and Heritage Transmission she feels she has the vehicles.
The Kilkenny rider was full of joie de vivre at Bordeaux World Cup Show last weekend, when notching up a win, two seconds and a number of top-10 placings.
While her World Cup Qualifier placing of 26th with Transmission was not as good as his debut at this level the previous week, Hughes feels he has the capability to make it to the top. "I was happy with his performance, because he is a young horse and inexperienced," she said.
"He coped well, made a few mistakes and learned a lot from them. Jumping this grade is not beyond him," she said of the nine-year-old stallion son of Cavalier, who had two fences down in a competition where Dermott Lennon placed equal 16th with Impact.
Hughes also pointed to the clear round but with one time fault in the pre-Qualifier as evidence of Transmission's potential.
Hughes, who competes at the Vigo World Cup Show in Spain this weekend, is hoping to get the call up for a number of nations cup early in the season.
She felt it was too early to see if the "athletic" but relatively green Transmission was ready to challenge for a place on the top teams, but she had no doubt Fortunas was primed.
"He's definitely ready. He won the grand prix in Cavan and was second in the grand prix at St Lo (with Miguel Bravo in the saddle) last year. We were collecting semen from him and kept him back, but we will start him on the Sunshine Tour soon," said Hughes of the 11-year-old grey Hannovarian stallion, who also placed 12th in the World Cup qualifier at Geneva in December.
Hughes victory at Bordeaux last weekend came in a speed class on Saturday with the 10-year-old grey Holstein gelding, Galileo. O'Jessie, the 13-year-old daughter of Laughton's Flight, carried her to second place twice, while Heritage Spirit (by Coille Mor Hill) and Galileo also featured in the top-10.
lWITH so many figures doing the rounds in the past few weeks, the Equestrian Federation of Ireland has moved to correct erroneous information regarding how many riders will represent Ireland in the Olympics.
In show jumping "a team of four riders has qualified. There will be no individual rider, and no wild card or other non-Olympic qualification will apply. The identity of the four riders will be announced by the international selectors in due course".
In dressage, Ireland "has qualified for one individual place at Athens. The rider to fill this place will be announced by the international selectors within the next few months. No final decision has yet been made".
In eventing, "Ireland has qualified a team of five riders and five horses. The identity of the five riders will be announced by the international selectors in due course".
