ITime for megaphone diplomacy on shows to end

By Quentin Dora-O'Reilly

Like all show jumping rows before it, the controversy over what are being called "non-registered" shows is being conducted through media sound bytes rather then through serious negotiations around a table. Of all the rows in recent times this one is the most stupid and one can only stand surprised at some of the people who are participating in it. There has always been leeway for early season shows to run events for horses that are not yet registered.

But running non-affiliated shows is something very different. The time is long past when there can be a laissez-faire, cavalier attitude towards affiliation. In the interest of horse welfare and fair competition, it is imperative that all equestrian events run in Ireland should be affiliated to one or other of the equestrian bodies.

This applies to ponies, right up to international horses. The affiliation can be to pony club, riding club, SJAI, whatever. But affiliated it must be and thus run under rules. No rider, judge or volunteer should have anything to do with an unaffiliated show and if they do they should be blacklisted. There is no other way of it if we are to have any sort of order and good competition on the national scene. If there is a problem regarding a non-registered horse jumping early in the season then that is a different issue. Non-affiliated and non-registered are two very different things and should not be confused. Those who are referring to themselves as "running businesses" should get around the table with the powers that be in the SJAI in a business-like manner and sort out the non-registration problem. It cannot be so huge that it consumes two full seasons of megaphone diplomacy that has sorted nothing.

If the SJAI and the shows involved cannot find a solution, then it is time for the new umbrella body (HSI) to step in and sort it for them. As we say it is a stupid controversy that is going no place and is doing a great deal of harm at a time when Irish equestrianism is looking for a positive way forward.