Irish Show Jumping riders appoint Michael Blake as representative to liaise with Horse Sport Ireland

In November Horse Sport Ireland invited the top 20 riders in the Longines FEI Show Jumping rankings to a meeting at Dublin airport to discuss the senior Show Jumping High Performance programme for the next Olympic Cycle. Following that meeting it has now been confirmed by the riders, that they have appointed Michael Blake as their designated rider representative to interface with HSI.

At the November meeting which was held at Dublin Airport, a rider liaison group was established. Six riders, Cameron Hanley, Marion Hughes, Darragh Kenny, Dermott Lennon, Shane Sweetnam and Billy Twomey were put forward as representatives of Irish riders in the different regions around the globe where Irish riders are based and regularly compete.

Clare native Michael Blake (pictured left) said:
“I am delighted and humbled to have been chosen by the senior international Irish riders as their representative to HSI. This is a role I intend to take very seriously. I acknowledge the confidence the riders have placed in me and consider it a great honour. I will work diligently to achieve our desired goals which are to achieve championship and individual success. I am very passionate about the sport and my wish would be that we pool all our resources and talent to achieve the best possible results and profile for the future.”

James Kennedy, chair of the HSI Show Jumping High Performance committee said:
“We are keen to have a good communication channel with the riders. We had a very constructive meeting with the riders in November and we look forward to working with them to achieve championship success for the Irish team. We have started the process of engaging a recruitment company to assist us with the process of appointing a new Show Jumping High Performance Manager and we hope to advertise the role nationally and internationally shortly” he said.