The budgets for these programmes have now been agreed by Horse Sport Ireland’s finance committee. Due to the reduction in funding the programmes will be curtailed in 2012. Almost all of the available funding will be used up on the actual costs of the Championships themselves. This will leave very little funding for training although the breakdown of the budget is being considered to see if a final training session before the championships can be funded.
In relation to squad selection three places on the pony squad will be ‘won’ based on a point ranking system covering the following events Tyrella (1) 7th April 2012 CNCP**, Ballindenisk 21st – 22nd April 2012 CNCP2* and Tattersalls 31st May – 3rd June 2012 CCNP2*.
• The first three combinations in the rankings will be allocated a place on the European Championship squad in Fontainebleau (FRA) subject to them maintaining fitness and form up to the championship and complying with all requests of the Team Manager/ Chef d’Equipe
• These places will be allocated after Tattersalls. Following this allocation up to three additional combinations plus reserves will be selected by the Team Manager/ Chef d’Equipe
• These rankings will not carry to Fontainebleau. Following arrival in Fontainebleau, 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 three successful combinations from the points ranking system will be allocated places on the travelling squad of six. Further details of the points system are included as Appendix A.
• Non finishers will receive no points for any competition they do not complete irrespective of when they are eliminated or withdraw.
• In the case where combinations finished level on accumulated points using the system set out above, the combinations finishing position in the last leg in Tattersalls will determine their final ranking compared to the other combinations that finish on the same accumulated points.
• If a combination does not compete in the final leg in Tattersalls they will be considered to have finished behind all those who did compete there for the purposes of resolving a tie in the accumulation of points as set out above.
• 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.
• All combinations in contention will be expected to appear for a final run at a venue stated by the Team Manager/Chef d’Equipe unless explicitly excluded by the Team Manager/Chef d’Equipe.
• Horse Sport Irelands high performance programme will commence after Tattersalls. It is a matter for each individual rider to maximize their performance in the designated competitions with a view to winning a place on the squad.
• Sue Shortt will continue as Team Manager/ Chief d’Equipe with Sue Smallman as the Dressage coach and Tom Slattery as the Show Jumping coach.
• At this stage it is not intended that Horse Sport Ireland will collect any funding directly from riders by way of a squad levy. Instead riders will be asked to contribute directly towards the cost of training sessions organised by the Team Manager/ Chief d’Equipe.
Please note that while every effort will be made to adhere to the process set out above Horse Sport Ireland can alter it at any time or can choose to abandon it if they consider that to be in the best interest of the Irish squad travelling to Fontainebleau. In addition, Horse Sport Ireland in consultation with the Team Manager /Chef’s d’Equipe can leave any selected rider or pony at home if they consider it to be in the best interest of the Irish squad travelling.
If any parent or coach has a query or proposed change to this please forward to tconnors@horsesportireland.ie before Friday 6th April 2012 for consideration.