Pony Eventing Squad Selection System 2017

HORSE SPORT IRELAND PONY EVENTING SQUAD SELECTION SYSTEM 2017 – DRAFT

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, KAPOSVAR, HUNGARY 25^th – 30^th JULY 2017

High Performance Team Manager: Becky Cullen beckycullen123@gmail.com 004479 76 071222

Show Jumping Coach: Tom Doherty tomdoherty116@hotmail.com 004478 02 515678

Dressage Coach: Sue Smallman 00353 877995189

Team Vet: Con Kennedy ratoathvets@gmail.com 00353 1 8256213

HSI Administrator: Aileen Cartwright acartwright@horsesportireland.ie 00353 45 854530

SECTION I PURPOSE

The purpose of the Horse Sport Ireland Pony Show Eventing selection criteria is to assist Horse Sport Ireland’s Pony Eventing  High Performance Team Manager Becky Cullen to select the best team to represent Ireland at the European Pony Eventing Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary from the 25th – 30th July 2017.

As such, this selection policy combines both competition and general criteria in order for the High Performance Team Manager to select the IRL athletes to compete at the European Pony Eventing Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary. The High Performance Team Manager’s primary objective is to nominate the appropriate combinations to give Ireland the best chance of winning team & individual medals.

SECTION II SPECIFIC SELECTION PROCESS

Athletes can maximize their chances of selection by competing at the following identified key selected competitions in 2017. Three places on the pony squad will be ‘won’ based on the 4 lowest aggregate scores from the 9 designated events below.

• Tyrella 2 – 1^st April CNCP2*
• Lisgarvan – 9^th April CNCP2*
• Ballindenisk International – 21^st – 23^rd April CIC* for ponies
• Withington Manor (UK) – 29^th April CIC* for ponies
• Punchestown – 7^th May CNCP2*
• Marbach (Germany) – 12^th – 14^th May CCIP2*
• Glenpatrick – 20^th May CNCP2*
• Tattersalls International – 1^st – 4^th June CCI* for ponies
• Kilguilkey International – 1^st & 2^nd July CIC* for ponies

The lowest four scores, subject to the following will be used to establish the rankings:

• The combinations score in Marbach/Tattersalls must be one of the four counting scores
• At least one more of the four counting scores must be from an International event (Ballindenisk/Withington/Kilguilkey)
• In the case where a combination does not compete at any of the designated events or does not complete the event or finishes on a score of 100 or more, they will be allocated a finishing score of 100. (Appendix A – sample of scoring system)
• In the event that one of the designated Irish events is cancelled the lowest four scores from a possible eight will count subject to the conditions above. In the event that two of the designated Irish events are cancelled the lowest three scores from a possible seven will count.
• In the event of athlete’s finishing on equal scores a back count of show jumping clears from amongst the four counting scores will be counted, if still tied a further count of x country penalties and finally dressage score.

SECTION III EUROPEAN SQUAD SELECTION

The first three combinations in the rankings will be allocated a place on the European Championship squad in Kaposvar subject to them maintaining fitness and form up to the championship and complying with all requests of the Team Manager/ Chef d’Equipe.

These three places will be allocated after Kilguilkey. Following this allocation three additional combinations plus two no travelling reserve combinations** will be selected by the Pony Eventing  High Performance Team Manager Becky Cullen.

These rankings will not carry to Kaposvar. Following arrival in Kaposvar, the Team Manager/Chef d’Equipe will select the four combinations to compete for Ireland in the team competition from amongst the six that travel as part of the squad.

For the avoidance of doubt the top three combinations from the selection system will be allocated places on the travelling squad of six

All combinations in contention will be expected to compete at Kilguilkey 1^st & 2^nd July, the HPM does however reserve the right to excuse any combination from competing

**The manager will make a decision on the remaining three places plus the two reserves based on the following criteria

• Performance of the combination during 2017 both Nationally and Internationally, with particular emphasis on form in the lead up to selection
• The Team veterinarians opinion on the likely ability of the pony to cope fully with the three day test posed by a European championships
• The riders previous performances at European championship level
• The rider and their support teams ability to operate as part of a team
• The commitment of the rider and their support team to the High Performance Programme
• If the rider is eligible for pony selection for the following year this may be taken into account with a view to giving such a combination championship experience.

After the combinations have been selected they must retain fitness and form. If the Team Manager has any concerns about this the combination may be asked to compete at a specified competition, attend for schooling or be required to present their horse for veterinary assessment. If there are any concerns about the fitness of the rider they may be asked to attend for medical assessment by a doctor or Physio. If the Team Manager is not satisfied that the combination is fit to compete at the level on which their selection was based they can call up a reserve in their place.

SECTION IV VETERINARY

The High Performance Manager and/or Horse Sport Ireland can request that a horse/ pony be made available for inspection by the Team Veterinarian at any time. Athletes must comply with this request. Athletes must notify the High Performance Manager of any change in their horse/ pony’s health status or of any veterinary issues when they first become apparent. All ponies who intend to travel to the EU CH must be measured by HSI’s pony team veterinarian Con Kennedy. Con Kennedy’s decision on measuring is final.

The High Performance Manager and/or Horse Sport Ireland can send the Team Veterinarian and/or an appointed Veterinarian to take a blood and/or urine sample from a horse/ pony at any time, for the purposes of testing for prohibited substances, and/or as part of an assessment of the horse/ pony’s well-being.

Athletes (at their own expense), shall make available, upon the request of the Team Veterinarian, the veterinary records of horse/ pony s being considered for selection. In addition, athletes, (at their own expense), shall be responsible for supplying any follow-up diagnostic information requested by the Team Veterinarian for horse/ pony s being considered for selection. Athletes, (at their own expense), shall complete any treatment prescribed by the Team Veterinarian, after consultation with the horse/ pony’s regular veterinarian. Failure to comply with any request of the Team Veterinarian may result in the removal of the athlete/horse/ pony combination from selection by the High Performance Manager

The soundness of the horse/ pony to meet the challenges of competing and travelling to the 2017 European Championships will be a significant factor in any selection decision. Athletes must keep the Team Veterinarian fully briefed on any health or soundness issues the pony may have both historically and throughout the selection period. All selected team members must immediately inform the High Performance Manager and Team Veterinarian of any illness or injury (however minor). Where it becomes apparent that a squad pony is unsound and/or that there was a non-disclosure relating to soundness, the High Performance Manager reserves the right to remove that combination from the team with immediate effect.

This document is a draft.  If any parent or coach has a query or proposed change to this, please forward to Triona Connors tconnors@horsesportireland.ie  before Friday 24^th February 2017 for consideration.