KELLY CUTS A DASH WITH MILITARY PRECISION

Ravensdale Lodge hosted and sponsored the third round of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour which produced a new addition to the winners enclosure, Capt Michael Kelly and Lough Foyle, bettering their 5th place at the opening round of the series two weeks ago at Kildare Equestrian.

Young rider Gerard Clarke was unlucky not to snatch the spoils only to be caught out by the last fence of the challenging track built by International Course Builder Tom Holden. He got it spot on by predicting that he would like to see 16 go through to the jump off from the 53 starters.

Last weeks winning combination of Team Ireland manager Robert Splaine and Kimberlite did not get through from the first round but he did manage, however, to get his second horse, Billebob,  to the jump off and for a time looked like they were on target to get the spoils. However having set out at great pace, one fence down at the third prevented Splaine from repeating his success in Cavan albeit with a different horse.

In fact it wasn’t until the sixth horse in, Macushla R and Eddie Moloney, did we see a clear round in a quick time of 29.40 to put them provisionally into the lead.  Catherine Thornton improved her performance on last week to slot into 4th again with Ben Mullier going clear in a time of 30.85. However it was Young Rider Daniel Coyle who turned heads when he came and produced a great display of a clear in a time of 29.32 to move ahead of the National Champion, Eddie Moloney.

The next three riders in all were caught out by the first part of the double, fence 11.  Most unfortunate of all was Michael Whyte who had a crusher of a fall in the first round but went on to produce a clear with his third horse O.M.S Wendeliena but was unable to come near the standard already set in the jump off.

Then came a foot perfect exhibition from the talented Army School of Equitation officer Capt Michael Kelly. With Lough Foyle, owned by the Minister for Defence, he attacked the course with supreme confidence and style to stop the clock in a time of 27.84 which saw him move to the head of affairs.  This left it up to Gerard Clarke and Colorado to challenge but the third fence got him as it had done several others earlier.

The packed gallery was very well entertained with top class competition from a very cleverly designed and somewhat challenging course.

Tom Holden commented “Yes it was a challenging track but no more than what would be expected at this point in the series. The lowest fence was 132cms and the highest in the second round, the last, was 138cms and well within the scope of the design of the competition” Asked was he pleased with the numbers going through from the first round he added “16 was what I predicted so I am very happy”

The HSI Chippison Spring Tour is kindly sponsored by John & Marie Burke in association with TRI and the Showjumpers Club and is supported by Showjumping Ireland, Jumpinaction.net & Darragh Equestrian Solutions. The tour moves to Killossery for the 4th round next Sunday, 7th of March where who knows what opportunity will be knocking and for whom.

SPLAINE TAKES VICTORY IN SECOND LEG OF HSI CHIPPISON SPRING TOUR

TEAM Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine made an unexpected appearance at the second leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour tonight (Sunday) and ended up winning the class.

The Co. Cork rider snatched the trophy at Cavan Equestrian Centre by a fifth of a second from Young Rider Gerard Clarke and 'Colorado' in a 14-horse jump off that yielded eight double clear rounds.  Gerard Clarke also picked up the TRI hamper for being the leading Young Rider for the second successive week.

Splaine, who was riding Sean Walsh's Irish-bred stallion 'Kimberlite' said: "The owner was unable to come to Cavan to compete tonight, so I took his place, and ended up winning, which I must say was a real pleasure. He's a beautiful horse, home-bred from my own stallion 'Coolcorron Cool Diamond'."

Third place was taken by Meath's Mark Kinsella on 'Ozy Clover', one of five Irish-bred horses in the top six tonight. Sixty-six combinations took part.

The HSI Chippison Spring Tour is in association with TRI Equestrian and the Showjumpers Club and is supported by Showjumping Ireland, Darragh Equestrian Solutions, Comfort Zone and Jumpinaction.net.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: HSI CHIPPISON SPRING TOUR NAVAN FEBRUARY 20, 2011

Grand Prix
Second Round HSI Chippison Spring Tour
Cavan Equestrian Centre
Sunday February 20, 2011

1) Kimberlite (ISH); Robert Splaine Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 43.24
2) Colorado; Gerard Clarke (YR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 43.47
3) Ozy Clover (ISH); Mark Kinsella Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 45.60
4) Its Gold (ISH); Gerard O'Neill Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 46.52
5) Ben Mullier (ISH); Catherine Thornton Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 47.82
6) Touched Up (ISH); Tara Dunne Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 48.01

66 starters 14 to Jump Off

TOM SLATTERY APPOINTED AS HIGH PERFORMANCE PONY COACH

HORSE Sport Ireland and Showjumping Ireland have announced that Tom Slattery will be the High Performance Coach and Chef d’Equipe for the pony show jumping team for 2011. Tom will also act as show jumping coach to the pony eventing team.

Tom replaces Ian Fearon who stood down last Autumn.

Tom Slattery has huge experience as an international rider having featured in many Irish Nations' Cup teams. He was also National Show Jumping Champion in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He is currently a Horse Sport Ireland accredited coach. In the past he has acted as Chef d’Equipe and team trainer for the senior show jumping team and has previously acted as the Chef d’Equipe for Ireland’s pony teams.

Speaking after the announcement, SJI Chairman Christy Murphy who Chaired the HSI interview board said that Tom Slattery was an excellent candidate for the post

“The team had great success in recent years and expectations are high for 2011. Tom has a formal coaching qualification and a huge amount of experience and I have no doubt he will make a success of the role,” he said.

Speaking after his appointment Tom Slattery said he was looking forward to the role.

“Ireland has some very strong riders and ponies for 2011 and the system that was in place for the last two years has worked well. I look forward to working with the riders and their families to achieve the best possible results for Ireland,” he said.

Tom Slattery will form part of Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Pony Show Jumping committee. The committee will consist of Mark Bolger who will Chair the committee, Katy Saunders who is the SJI nominee and Keith Griffin who is HSI’s nominee. This committee will oversee the running of the programme but all selection decisions will be made by the Chef d’Equipe.

FLOODY STAKES HIS CLAIM IN THE OPENING ROUND

Meath based John Floody took no prisoners today in the Kildare International sponsored  opening round of the HSI Chippison  Spring Tour at the Kildare venue by picking up where he took off in last years tour.  Leading rider last year he also rode the leading horse and leading Irish horse, Floody had a double celebration having celebrated his birthday last Tuesday and winning the first round today.

40 of the 42 entrants started with course builder Tom Holden securing 15 into the 2nd round on a competitive but fair track for this time of year.

The standard was set by 2nd in Ger O’Neill  riding Z Welle 72 putting in a clear in a time of 37.72 only to be bettered by his second horse, 8th in, Cassidee to break his record in a time of 35.32. He then went a step further with his third horse It’s Gold to punch a formidable time of 34 .75 which was to ultimately earn him 3rd place for the competition.

It was also a good day for Young Rider Gerard Clarke who got 2 through to the jump off but despite a knock at 5B and a refusal at the additional 14th fence with Adonis Van de Zandput, he produced a cracker on his 2nd Ardragh Stein in a time of 34.30 earning him 2nd place overall.

But it was to be Floody's day with a no holes barred blistering round on his seasoned campaigner PMR Rehy Irish All Star. Virtually taking a stride out at every distance the true grit performance wiped the boards returning a time of 33.03 which could not be beaten by those who followed.

Delighted with his win he said “ I wasn’t too sure what this season would bring with the loss of my 2 top horses from last year, Ashbourne and Larkhill Cruiser but it is a great win not only for me but for that of my owner Paula Rafter who has been a tremendous owner to me. I am really delighted for her”

John Floody's Groom Rena Tuunianen collected a ShowjumpingIreland Jacket as being the groom of the Winning Horse while Gerard Clarke was the TRI Leading Young Rider in the Class and collected a pack from TRI .

The HSI Chippison Spring Tour in association with TRI Equestrian and the Showjumpers Club is supported by Showjumping Ireland, Darragh Equestrian Solutions, Comfort Zone and Jumpinaction.net. It moves to Cavan next week where no doubt the on form John Floody will be bidding to make his stamp.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour
1st Round Kildare International Result

1st  John Floody  PMR Rehy Irish All Star O/O  33.03
2nd  Gerard Clarke Ardragh Stein  O/O  34.30
3rd Ger O’Neill  It’s Gold    O/O  34.75
4th  Ger O’Neill  Cassidee   O/O 35.33
5th  Lt Michael Kelly Lough Foyle   O/O 36.65
6th  Thomas O’Brien Dunsoghley Junior  O/O  36.83

The Chippison Spring Tour is kindly supported by: John & Marie Burke, Horse Sport Ireland, TRI, ShowjumpingIreland, Jumpinaction.net & Darragh Equestrian Solutions

JAMES KERNAN TAKES OVER AS CHAIRMAN OF SHOWJUMPERS CLUB
 
Crossmaglen native James Kernan was elected last night as Chairman of the Showjumpers Club at their AGM held at the Killashee House Hotel.
 
The former Olympian was elected by those present at the AGM and he takes over from long standing Chairman Edward Doyle.  Edward Doyle held this position for the last 5 years.
 
Kernan, who is a Show Centre Owner, Rider, Trainer and Vice Chairman of ShowjumpingIreland is another of the long standing members of the Showjumpers Club.  Having competed at the Olympics previously with the famous stallion Touchdown and being a regular on the National Grand Prix Circuit for many years, Kernan's experience is extremely vast.
 
He was also the youngest ever member of the Aga Khan Team at just 18 Years old and he was a member of the famous Team that won the Aga Khan Cup three years in succession.
 
Following his election Kernan commented; ''I am delighted to take over the role.  I hope I can follow on from Edward's good work over the last few years and anything we can do to progress Show Jumping is what we want to do.''
 
Outgoing Chairman Edward Doyle, who was elected to the position of Vice Chairman also commented on the new election and the year ahead; ''I think it is nice to see new faces and new enthusiasm coming into the club. We wish James all the best and we will be there to give him a hand when it is needed.''
 
Doyle also commented on the upcoming Chippison Spring Tour which gets underway on February 13th at Kildare International; ''We are just ten days off what we hope will be the most successful Spring Tour to date.''
 
Newly elected Chairman of ShowjumpingIreland Christy Murphy also said: ''On behalf of SJI I would like to wish James all the best in his new post. The Showjumpers Club do great work in promoting the sport every year through the Spring Tour and the various activities taking place during the year.  It is also great to see people at the pinnacle of the career giving so much back to the sport.''
 
About The Showjumpers Club
 
The Showjumpers Club was set up over ten years ago in order to fulfil a number of objectives as outlined.
 
- To give riders an independent conduit to voice any issues affecting them in relation to the sport 
- To promote the image of the show jumping in the equestrian sector 
- To promote the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play (integrity of the sport) 
- To co-operate with the  governing authorities towards the drawing up of new norms and regulations to support national and international competitors and national and international show jumping organisers in all their efforts to promote the image of equestrian sport
- To protect the image and interests of riders who respect the above objectives

CHRISTY MURPHY ELECTED AS CHAIRPERSON OF SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND
 
Kildare resident Christy Murphy was last night elected as Chairperson of ShowjumpingIreland by the members of the Executive Committee at their first meeting of 2011. 
 
A dedicated Committee member, a passionate Amateur Competitor and a producer of Young Horses, Murphy will bring a wealth of experience from a long family in Show Jumping.  He was previously a Chairman of the National Amateur Committee and a member of the Management and Finance Committee for several years under the stewardship of Joan Keane and he takes over the reins from fellow Leinster member Ronan Corrigan.
 
Although Corrigan's reign as Chairman is over, he will remain an integral part of SJI as he now takes over the role of Chairman of the Management and Finance Committee.
 
The Vice Chairman's role will now be taken up by James Kernan who takes over from Joan Keane. While Taylor Vard will be put forward as the SJI's nominee for the role of Senior International advisor to Robert Splaine. 
 
New Chairman Christy Murphy had this to say following his election; ''I am delighted to take up the role and I am very much looking forward to my term in office. I am a long time member of the SJI and my family has had a huge involvment through my father Michael and my brothers for over 40 years.  I have also been a Leinster Committee member for the last 10 years which is something I am very proud of.''
 
Meanwhile outgoing Chairman Ronan Corrigan said; ''The last three years have been very interesting and I enjoyed it very much.  I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the years and I would like to wish Christy all the best during his tenure as Chairperson.''