Irish Showjumping has been experiencing some difficulties over the past couple of years - some of which has been political problems and some of which has been serious lack of horse power for some of the top riders - but then the current no 2 in the world rankings is Irish woman Jessica Kurten, so all is not bad!

While things at the senior level have been somewhat testing, the young riders aged from 14 to 21 years have been steadily improving their riding and getting better and better horses - this would certainly suggest that the future of Irish Showjumping will be in good hands.

In 2005 the Junior team at the European Championships came home with a 4th placing in the Teams and Nicola FitzGibbon came home as equal 6th Junior rider in Europe under the care of Team Trainer, Cmdt John Ledingham and Chef d'equip Liam Buckley.

This year the Chairperson of the Young Rider and Junior Committee is Vina Buller - pictured below left - and she is one of the most enthusiastic and committed women who is determined to see these up and coming riders getting all the support they so richly deserve.
The training of the riders has been taken on by one of Ireland's finest, Trevor Coyle and having been privileged to be invited to one of the training sessions it is not hard to see why this man is so great in the saddle! Trevor's approach to every detail is meticulous and he worked with the riders, their horses and the riders minds. The session we watched was inspirational to those watching, let alone those he was training. The riders all related well to the work Trevor did with them and they all saw the benefit of the exercises he worked on.

The Chef d'equip is once again the laconic, enigmatic and personable Liam Buckley - there was some talk last year that he would no longer be involved with the Junior and Young Riders, but the response from the riders themselves told him how much he was wanted and thankfully he agreed to come back on board. Liam has a wonderful rapport with the riders and has the ability to keep everyone working together as a team and he ensures that they keep their heads when under pressure - a wonderful Chef!

Trevor Coyle and Liam Buckley pictured below right at the training day.

But nothing would happen without the assistance of the EFI's High Performance Sports Council who decided two years ago to start looking at the Pony, Junior and Young Riders.

At the Press Conference held at Dublin Airport on Sunday evening to farewell the two teams heading to Athens, Dan Butler, Secretary General of the EFI said that they this was now "the beginning of what we are looking for towards 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games". This was a
a huge acknowledgment of the talent that exists among the young riders in Ireland.

Pictured right - Dan Butler at the Press Conference held on Sunday evening at Dublin Airport.
Charles Powell was also at the Press Conference, getting to know the riders and their families and in his speech he acknowledged the "huge input form parents and trainers" towards quality of the ten riders heading off that evening. Charles, President of the EFI wished everyone "a safe journey, a good show" and reminded the riders to "wear their green jacket with pride"!

This is the first time there has been a press conference held for the younger riders and it was a great success from the reaction of the riders, their parents and the supporters - for many of the riders it was their first opportunity of meeting some of the people who so supportive of them and their showjumping from behind the busy doors of the EFI office - so often the parents speak with the people in the office but rarely do they or their riders get the chance to meet these people face to face in a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

It also gives the riders a chance to say their thanks personally!

Charles Powell - pictured left - was also at the Press Conference, getting to know the riders and their families and in his speech he acknowledged the "huge input form parents and trainers" towards quality of the ten riders heading off that evening. Charles, President of the EFI wished everyone "a safe journey, a good show" and reminded the riders to "wear their green jacket with pride"!

Dan Butler also made special mention of two of his staff for their

huge input into making sure that everything went smoothly with the all important paperwork which is required for traveling horses, especially by plane and of course all the paperwork required for the riders themselves. The two women who made all this happen were Debbie O'Connor and Triona Connors.

The all boy contingent heading to Greece showed their thanks to Triona by demanding that they be allowed to take her with them to Greece - but no matter how much they begged and tried to carry her off with them Triona - pictured below with the two teams - said she was staying put in Ireland!

The two teams competing for Ireland are:

Young Riders:
Thomas Ryan (21 yo) - Urleven van de Helle
Enda Carrol (20 yo) - Casino
Mark Flynn (19 yo) - Ballinclover Boy
Anthony Condon (19 yo) - Whinny Jackson
Greg Broderick (20 yo) - Quarrier Z

Junior:
William Workman (17 yo) - Euro Clover
Benny Kuehnle (17 yo) - Alaska
Darragh Kenny (18 yo) - Neverland
David Simpson (17 yo) - Cruise With Me
Conor Drain (in his 14th year) - Fine Filly
Page Two

This is Page One

Back to News Index