SHOWJUMPING:The Show Jumping Association of Ireland is to move to what it terms "substantial" new premises early in the New Year. The Association announced yesterday that it is in negotiations with a number of Co Kildare auctioneers to purchase premises in the Naas area and is hoping to finalise the deal in January of next year.
The Association's national chairman, Patricia Furlong, declined to reveal the purchase price of the premises at a meeting in Co Kildare yesterday, but stated that they will be substantial enough to host conferences and, potentially, house other equestrian governing bodies.
"The aspiration of Horse Sport Ireland is that all equestrian bodies will be under one roof, so why can't they come to us," said Furlong.
Purchase of the new premises will be funded entirely out of the SJAI coffers and Furlong confirmed that SJAI finances are currently in a "healthy" state.
The association also introduced its new director general yesterday. Pat Cully, who is due to take up the post on January 2nd, 2007, has considerable experience in the racing industry and has a 22-year multi-national manufacturing background. He outlined his goals and objectives yesterday, most important of which will be restoring the image of the SJAI after a series of publicly aired controversies and fallouts.
Cully (42) also pledged to develop a strategic plan for the sport of show jumping, with the ultimate goal of developing the sport to "become number one worldwide within the show jumping arena" and winning back management of the Irish team.
He plans to take what he calls a "conciliatory" approach in a bid to achieve alignment and collaboration between the association and other equestrian bodies, including the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and the Irish Horse Board, as well as the new umbrella governing body, Horse Sport Ireland, which held the first meeting of its interim board at the RDS on Tuesday.
"I will be consulting widely and listening and taking viewpoints on board," Cully said.
Cully has been brought in to replace the outgoing Robert Joyce, whose contract was terminated in December 2005. The post has been filled on an interim basis for the past 12 months by Liz Pottie and Ronan Corrigan.
Both Pottie and Corrigan will be available in a consultative capacity at the start of Cully's tenure.
