Junior selection response : Why Kuehnle wasn't picked

By Frank Mulvihill

In response to last week's article on the selection of the Irish Junior show jumping squad, selector Liam Buckley has told The Irish Horse that the non-selection of Co Laois rider Benedict Kuehnle was a democratic decision following a vote by the selection committee.

Mr. Buckley, who is the Leinster representative on the selection committee, pointed out that the trials system was dispensed with this year and a new system was put in place. Here the potential squad members were asked to participate on the Grand Prix circuit and travel abroad to some nominated shows.

Unfortunately, in Benedict Kuehnle's case, the horse ABC Landliebe did not fulfil the criteria of the system put in place. The other riders travelled to either Wierden in The Netherlands or Compiegne in France, and some went to both.

Mr. Buckley said it was not possible to select the combination on the basis of a single clear-round performance in the 1.50m Grand Prix in Mullingar.

The EFI has confirmed the squad to travel to the championships in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, will be:

• Heather Purcell (Jaynick)

• Nicola Fitzgibbon _(Puissance)

• Darragh Kenny (My Irish Paddy)

• England-based Anthony Condon (Lotti)

• France-based William Workman (Euro Clover)

Ballina rider Alex Duffy (Iris De Bateau) will be the non-travelling reserve.

The Irish-based riders will participate in a special training clinic this month before the team heads out to Switzerland the weekend before the

Championships which are scheduled for 6-10 July.

RDS raise pony fees

Pony exhibitors at this year's Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show will be hit with an increase in entry fees as a result of a recent review by the Show.

In a statement the Royal Dublin Society commented that the review "has resulted in a number of important developments such as increased sponsorship from a number of parties, additional space for trade exhibitors, an enhanced Arts and Craft Exhibition and an expanded entertainment programme.

"As part of this review, entry fees for all horses and ponies were standardised and this has led to an increase in entry fees for ponies. This increase reflects the fact that there is a standard level of service required for both horses and ponies stabled at the Show.''

In an effort to save face the RDS had decided to increase its pony prize money by 60%. Unfortunately, the increase in fees is making what was already an expensive show even more prohibitive to our pony exhibitors who must pay, aside from stabling and entry fees, up to €350 in some cases to park horseboxes while attending the Dublin venue.

Ruth Chadwick _qualifies for European Championships

Irish international young rider Ruth Chadwick and Ravel scored 60% in the Prix St Georges class at Barzago CDIY, Italy last Friday to qualify to represent Ireland at the European Young Riders Dressage Championships to be held at the same venue from 15-17 July.

Ruth will be joined by Trinity College medical student Aine Cafferkey at the championships. Aine qualified for the European's at Addington CDIY in March. Junior Irish international rider Bill Delahoyde has already qualified with Ashton to represent Ireland at the European Junior Dressage Championships which will also be held in Barzago.