THE PROTEST LODGED by Horse Sport Ireland after a bizarre incident during Cian O’Connor’s run at the European Championships yesterday has been rejected.
The protest was put in after a steward ran across O’Connor and his horse Good Luck’s path during what looked set to be a clear round. Good Luck hit the next hurdle and Ireland were left narrowly out of the qualification spots for Rio 2016.
Following an initial rejection of the protest from the Ground Jury in Aachen, Horse Sport Ireland were dealt a further blow when the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)’s Appeal Committee upheld the ruling by the Ground Jury.
The statement makes the point that O’Connor had the opportunity to stop mid-round and make his intent to protest known. They suggest that the fact he was able to go on and completed his round weakened the cause for complaint.
The statement reads: “The protest was heard by the Ground Jury, who ruled that as the athlete had continued his round, they saw no reason to stop him by ringing the bell. Under Article 233.3 of the FEI Jumping Rules, the athlete had the opportunity to stop voluntarily due to unforeseen circumstances beyond his control, however he did not do so.”
The Appeal committee would not overrule the Ground Jury, but HSI maintain their displeasure with the outcome and CEO Damian McDonald suggested they may take the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“We will be examining all of our options provided for within the rules of the International Governing Body the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) including a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” McDonald said this morning.
I’d agree with the above, far too much credence put on the Bath win, who are a second tier English side, nearing third tier. We’ve beaten nothing this season really so far, just been consistent enough to keep winning. The toughest games were probably Munster and Cardiff last week to be honest, and we scraped a win over Bath away.
I do think that if we get a home QF and SF in the Aviva we can go back to Twickers, and anything can happen then, but Toulouse would be faves at the moment in my book, they’ve just got everything.
I’m a little worried about our second row options, Leo seems to be slowing and Browne is not really up to the white heat of a big HEC game I think. Today’s selection should be very interesting.
I certainly don’t fear Sarries or Quins though, Quins in particular have nowhere near the experience needed, and Sarries are one paced.
Agree completely! We seem to have forgotten that we have a relatively soft pool this year! To be anything but well in charge at this stage would be a disaster!
My big worry is what happens when we play a team with a serious pack and a good backline (eg Northampton for H1 of Heino Final). Defensively we leaked a lot of scores in that first half! If you were to have thrown some fitness and an out and out 7 into that Northampton team – what would the result have been? Haven’t forgotten what Clermont did to us in the RDS a couple of years ago (except on the scoreboard of course).