Show Jumping: The Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) has taken back control of international show jumping team selection, in a bid to diffuse the internal wrangling that has divided the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) over the last 18 months.
In a not unexpected move, the EFI yesterday issued a statement declaring that, with immediate effect, it had taken on selection for senior and developmental teams on an interim basis. The decision came after a meeting between senior representatives of the EFI and the SJAI at the Irish Sports Council offices in Blanchardstown yesterday.
The decision comes as a bitter blow to the new chairman of the SJAI, Patricia Furlong, just four days after she was elected to take over the reins of the association from outgoing chairman Charles Hanley. Furlong was not available for comment when contacted by The Irish Times last night.
More recently, the EFI decided to withhold €90,000 of the 2005 funding for the SJAI, until show jumping put its house in order.
But the federation said last night that, "in a gesture of good faith", the funding will now be paid out to the SJAI.
On a more positive note, Jessica Kürten continued in winning vein by scoring in last night's World Cup pre-qualifier in Leipzig. A clear in 59.28 seconds with Castle Forbes Libertina left Kürten at the head of the 49-starter field and means she starts in poll position for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier at the German fixture.
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