HORSE Sport Ireland has announced details of its High Performance Show Jumping Committees for 2011. These committees oversee the operation of the High Performance programmes for 2011 and the structure was agreed between Horse Sport Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and Show Jumping Ireland in 2008. Responsibility for team selection, however, rests with the Team Manager in each case.

This year the European Championships for Ponies (U16) take place in Poland from July 26th to 31st while the Championships for Children on Horses (U14), Junior (U 18) and Young Riders (U21) take place in Comporta, Portugal, from July 4th to 10th.

The Senior European Championships take place in Madrid from September 13th to 18th, where there are three Olympic qualification places available. The Meydan Series commences In La Baule, France, in May.

Senior Show Jumping:

·       Chair: Bernie Brennan

·       Team Manager: Robert Splaine

·       SJI Nominee: Taylor Vard

·       HSI Nominee: James Tarrant

Children On Horses, Juniors, Young Riders:

·       Chair: Heather Coyle

·       Team Manager: Comdt. John Ledingham

·       SJI Nominee: Liam Murphy

·       HSI Nominee: James Kernan

Ponies:

·       Chair: Mark Bolger

·       Team Manager: Tom Slattery

·       SJI Nominee: Katy Saunders

·       HSI Nominee: Keith Griffin

Speaking after the announcement Horse Sport Ireland Chairman, Joe Walsh, said he was pleased that all the key positions had now been filled for 2011.

“These structures have worked very well for the past three years. The Show Jumping Ireland nominees have made a huge contribution and of the six nominees on the committees five now sit on the SJI executive. We look forward to working with the new nominees,” he said.

Show Jumping Ireland Chairman, Christy Murphy, said: “This is a hugely important year for Irish show jumping with Olympic qualification at stake. Our underage teams brought back two medals last year which was a great boost and we look forward to repeated success in 2011. I would like to wish all participants and officials the very best of luck in their respective Championships in 2011.”