HORSE Sport Ireland has confirmed that Robert Splaine will remain as the Team Ireland Equestrian Show Jumping Team Manager for the next two years. Robert Splaine signed a four year contract with Horse Sport Ireland which commenced in 2009 but contained a break option at end of 2010.

However, Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that they will not be activating the break option and that Robert Splaine will remain in charge for a further two years, up to the London Olympic Games.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that Robert Splaine had being doing a very good job as Team Manager and Chef d’Equipe and there was no reason to change at this point in time.

“Our performance in the Meydan series over the past two years has been very solid and this year we finished fourth overall and won the Nations' Cup in Aachen. While the World Equestrian Games were disappointing in that we did not qualify for the Olympic Games we still have another chance to qualify at the European Championships in Madrid this year,” he said.

“In the bigger picture of things Robert Splaine has been a very good ambassador for the sport and he represents Ireland very professionally at International shows,” he explained.

“As well as the team events Robert also selects riders for World Cup shows and works hard to get our riders into shows all over the world. We now have three riders in the top 11 in the world which is phenomenal,” Joe Walsh said.

Speaking after the announcement Robert Splaine said: “I am very pleased to continue on for the next two years. Obviously qualifying for the Olympics will be the top priority this year. I look forward to working with the riders to try and achieve this objective,” he said.
 

Robert Splaine