Hurley: Show jumping in a good place
It’s his second three-year stint, having also served in 2000-2003.
It’s unsurprising, too, that he’s anticipating a good year for the association.
“I was honoured to be returned unopposed. I feel show jumping is in a good place at the moment and poised to make bigger strides now that the economy is picking up. I feel I have more to contribute. It’s very easy to sail a ship on calm waters and I have a very good executive, very cooperative. There is an occasional difference of opinion, but when things are trashed out, people either see the other point of view, or go along with the democratic view of the executive.
“We also have a new PR and marketing person, Robert Wallace, who came from TRM, so he knows the business. With his expertise, we will target new sponsors. Show jumping is a marketable product.”
SJI has introduced a number of new membership packages.
Hurley said it was a case of providing people with “options”, rather than a sign that SJI membership was prohibitive even if the economy is picking up.
“Some people will only indulge in limited competition and we needed to recognise that, selecting individual shows rather than competing all year around. I don’t think show jumping is an expensive sport in comparison to other sports. Also, there is no increase in animal registration, membership, nor show affiliation fees this year, as we have maintained our insurance premium at the same price as last year. I would expect that the premium would reduce again once we maintain our vigilance and ensure there are no serious accidents.”
Hurley also dismissed any notion that Cashjumping — offering low fees with a promise that 50% of all entry fees will be returned in prizemoney — was impacting on SJI.
“It is having very little effect on SJI. It is mainly confined to the North.”
Hurley said the SJI’s finances are healthy, posting a “small deficit” in 2014, and he confirmed the organisation will, as is customary, contribute €100,000 towards Horse Sport Ireland’s financing of international participation. Hurley feels it is money well spent.
“I think it does represent good value for money. Competing at an international level is expensive and any subsidy for the riders and owners is of great benefit.”
He admitted 2014 could have been better for the Irish team, failing to qualify for the Olympics at the World Equestrian Games, while barely holding on to its place in this year’s Furusiyya Nations Cup Series.
Hurley, though, is upbeat that 2015 will see a return to form under Ireland manager and Hurley’s fellow Corkman Robert Splaine.
“I was in Normandy for the World Equestrian Games and the Irish team were brilliant, I saw for myself how brilliant the Irish performed. Unfortunately, they missed out by one place for Olympic qualification and the teams that finished ahead of Ireland performed better than anybody could have predicted. Just one fence was the difference between Ireland qualifying and not qualifying.
“All eyes will be on the European Championships in August, where we get a second chance to qualify for the Olympics, but we are well aware our chef d’equipe has limited horsepower. Knowing the said chef d’equipe, though, I would be very confident he will deliver on the day.
“You could hardly put the blame on Robert for the disappointment of last year. It is all about strength in depth in terms of horsepower and that is Horse Sport Ireland’s area.”
While it may be premature, considering he’s only starting out on another year at the helm, Hurley also said he had no intention of scaling back on his involvement in the sport when his term ends.
“When I finish my term as chairman, I will continue to play a role in the Munster Region and I will also continue my course-building duties.”
SJI committee chairpersons for 2015: Management and Finance: Michael Hennessy; Ponies: Liz Brennan; National Competitions: Eamon Rice; Young Riders/Juniors: Michael Blake, Course Designers: Ray Buchanan; Judges: Anne Waistell; Training: Paul McKenzie; Veterinary: Tom Dixon; and Amateurs: Paddy Mullen. SJI directors to Horse Sport Ireland: Gerry McCloskey (Ulster), Sally Ann Tobin (Leinster), Charles Hanley (Connacht), Tony Hurley (Munster).
lBertram Allen is on the cusp of qualifying for his first World Cup final in his first season.
The Wexford 19-year-old will this weekend have the opportunity in Zurich, Switzerland, to seal his place in April’s Las Vegas showcase.
Allen is in 13th place on the Western European League table with 34 points. He has made a habit of amazing people with his talent, including when he earned top points in his World Cup debut, taking the qualifier in Verona, Italy, in November. Previously, 40-plus points would be good enough to earn a place in the final, so a top-eight finish on Sunday should suffice for the German-based youngster.
Also in action are Denis Lynch and Billy Twomey. The former retired after knocking two last weekend in Leipzig, Germany, which just about sums up his World Cup season: Five outings and just three points, garnered in Mechelen, Belgium. Twomey has six points, those earned with his 11th place in Lyon, France, while Verona yielded no success. Jessica Kürten also makes an appearance this weekend.
lConor Swail is on fire in Florida, securing his fourth notable win in a matter of weeks on Wednesday.
The latest was his second at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), while the Co Down rider also claimed a brace at the Wellington Turf Tour.
After topping Sunday’s $34,000 (€30,000) Suncast 1.50m Classic at WEF, riding Susan and Ariel Grange’s Martha Louise, Swail on Wednesday scored a repeat in the $34,000 (€30,000) 1.45m speed class with his own Simba de la Roque, which he purchased from France’s Marie Hecart in November. Swail will aim to further boost his bank balance in tomorrow’s $127,000 (€111,740) Adequan Grand Prix.
lThe SJI’s Cork/Kerry Branch Stars of the Future awards will take place at Oriel House, Ballincollig, Cork, tomorrow, beginning at 7.30pm. The guest speaker is national show jumping champion Greg Broderick. Tickets are still available: 086-2608017.
