In a phone link with one of Ireland's selectors this evening, jumpingaround.com was told that the reason Jessica Kurten would not be a part of the Aga Khan team at Dublin Horse Show was that she was upset that she was not selected for the Hickstead Nations Cup event this week because she refused to "sign a letter stating that she would ride on a team with Cian O'Connor". The request for this letter was made to Kurten by the Chairman of Selectors, according to our source.

Kurten felt, according to the Selector, that she should not be expected to sign such a letter as "no other rider had been asked to do the same".

Jessica was also left wondering whether there was "something else going on" as she had only been permitted to bring two horses to Dublin whereas Billy Twomey and Cian O'Connor have three horses listed. Jessica has three horses at the level required for the International ring.

The reason given by Taylor Vard, on Irish radio this evening was that Jessica would not be competing at Dublin for "medical reasons".

Ireland, who were Super League stars in 2002, have fallen from grace since the loss of the Olympic Gold medal and it would seem that the troubles continue to plague Irish showjumping - is it only get worse before it gets better?