THE International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has given Ireland eight days to save the 1998 World Equestrian Games before moves will be made to offer the fixture elsewhere. The vote of confidence in the Irish organising company, WEG Ireland Limited, came at an FEI Executive Committee meeting in Geneva yesterday afternoon when the five man board offered its full support to the Irish venture.
Conor Crowley, chairman of WEG Ireland but attending the three hour meeting in his capacity as FEI treasurer, provided an up to date report on the crisis that has hit WEG since the withdrawal of Government funding at the end of March, which, was reaffirmed by Minister for Tourism and Trade, Enda Kenny in the Dail on Wednesday night.
Speaking after the Geneva meeting, Crowley confirmed the FEI offer of a period of grace for the Irish project, stating that the move came "in anticipation of a final government decision. If the position is positive but not definite next Friday, they would be prepared to give us a few days further leeway.
Crowley also confirmed that the £1.5 million guarantee that has been lodged with the FEI by Bord Failte will definitely be forfeited if Ireland reneges on its plans to hold the games. In the event that the games don't go ahead in Ireland, the FEI will definitely call in the bond. That was made very clear at the meeting," Crowley said last night.
The FEI meeting was held during the Volvo World Cup final and it was Austria's Hugo Simon, winner of the inaugural final back in 1979, that swept into a popular lead by claiming last night's opening speed round. Producing his Dortmund Volvo winner ET, to perfection over Paul Weier's twisting track, he careered through the finish over a second clear of Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa and the brilliant Irish bred Special Envoy. Single fence faults from both European champion Peter Charles and Eddie Macken left the Irish pair in 16th and 18th.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)