Splaine horse loan plea rejected

DEFENCE Minister Alan Shatter has rejected a request that the Army Equitation School boost Ireland’s chances of qualifying two riders for the Olympics by loaning one of its top horses, Annestown, to Billy Twomey.

The controversial request came from Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine, who took the unusual step of emailing the request to the Army Equitation School. Annestown is usually ridden by Capt David O’Brien.

A Dept of Defence spokesperson said yesterday it had no available horses to strengthen Twomey’s bid.