Niamhy
Well-Known Member
From Todays Irish Indo (Please note, Indo is a pro O'Connor paper, and sponsers some of his horses).
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Riders squabble as hope runs out for Beijing place By Louise Parkes and Jason O'Brien
Friday August 17 2007
IRELAND will have no showjumping team at the Olympics next year after crashing out of the European Championships yesterday amid rows between the team's biggest star, another rider and management.
Jessica Kuerten was involved in a dispute with team management earlier this week following her refusal to stable her horse next to that of fellow rider Cian O'Connor at the event in Mannheim, Germany.
A championship official confirmed the rider, ranked at number four in the world, had asked her groom to ensure that her mare, Castle Forbes Libertina, should "not be side by side or face to face with Cian's".
She was later given a place in a block separate to where the rest of the Irish contingent had their horses stabled.
However, the German official explained that when team manager Robert Splaine arrived at the showgrounds on Monday the horse was moved into the Irish section because "at championships team horses have to be together".
Ms Keurten's relationship with Mr O'Connor and the team management has deteriorated steadily since Mr O'Connor lost an Olympic gold medal in 2004 when his horse, Waterford Crystal, failed a drugs test.
The 37-year-old has only competed on the Irish team four times despite her world ranking.
Yesterday, Mr Splaine declined to comment on Monday's drama, while Mr O'Connor, who arrived at the showgrounds on Tuesday morning, said he had been told about the incident by other riders.
Ms Keurten has declined to talk to the Irish press this week while responding to questions from foreign journalists. She could not be contacted last night.
Mr O'Connor said he wished his team mate "good luck" as she rode into the Mannheim arena yesterday. "But she looked the other way - there seems to be a negative atmosphere in the camp," he admitted.
"Until people get on a bit better, it makes the winning a bit harder," he said.
That proved to be the case yesterday. Team Ireland needed a top-10 placing in yesterday's first round of the Nations' Cup to make the cut for Friday's team-medal decider. However, none of the Irish had a clear round and the tally of faults saw the team drop from 7th overnight to 13th.
The team was in trouble early on as Cameron Hanley on Hippica Kerman accounted for 12 faults, while Marion Hughes and Heritage Transmission finished on 13 faults.
Mr O'Connor and Echo Beach ended on four faults while Miss Kuerten also took four, but when the faults were added to penalty points from Wednesday's speed competition it meant Ireland's hopes for Beijing were ended.
"I am disappointed for the team," said Equestrian Federation of Ireland chairman Charles Powell.
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This is all I have to say...
[ QUOTE ]
Riders squabble as hope runs out for Beijing place By Louise Parkes and Jason O'Brien
Friday August 17 2007
IRELAND will have no showjumping team at the Olympics next year after crashing out of the European Championships yesterday amid rows between the team's biggest star, another rider and management.
Jessica Kuerten was involved in a dispute with team management earlier this week following her refusal to stable her horse next to that of fellow rider Cian O'Connor at the event in Mannheim, Germany.
A championship official confirmed the rider, ranked at number four in the world, had asked her groom to ensure that her mare, Castle Forbes Libertina, should "not be side by side or face to face with Cian's".
She was later given a place in a block separate to where the rest of the Irish contingent had their horses stabled.
However, the German official explained that when team manager Robert Splaine arrived at the showgrounds on Monday the horse was moved into the Irish section because "at championships team horses have to be together".
Ms Keurten's relationship with Mr O'Connor and the team management has deteriorated steadily since Mr O'Connor lost an Olympic gold medal in 2004 when his horse, Waterford Crystal, failed a drugs test.
The 37-year-old has only competed on the Irish team four times despite her world ranking.
Yesterday, Mr Splaine declined to comment on Monday's drama, while Mr O'Connor, who arrived at the showgrounds on Tuesday morning, said he had been told about the incident by other riders.
Ms Keurten has declined to talk to the Irish press this week while responding to questions from foreign journalists. She could not be contacted last night.
Mr O'Connor said he wished his team mate "good luck" as she rode into the Mannheim arena yesterday. "But she looked the other way - there seems to be a negative atmosphere in the camp," he admitted.
"Until people get on a bit better, it makes the winning a bit harder," he said.
That proved to be the case yesterday. Team Ireland needed a top-10 placing in yesterday's first round of the Nations' Cup to make the cut for Friday's team-medal decider. However, none of the Irish had a clear round and the tally of faults saw the team drop from 7th overnight to 13th.
The team was in trouble early on as Cameron Hanley on Hippica Kerman accounted for 12 faults, while Marion Hughes and Heritage Transmission finished on 13 faults.
Mr O'Connor and Echo Beach ended on four faults while Miss Kuerten also took four, but when the faults were added to penalty points from Wednesday's speed competition it meant Ireland's hopes for Beijing were ended.
"I am disappointed for the team," said Equestrian Federation of Ireland chairman Charles Powell.
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This is all I have to say...
