A NEW High Performance jumping advisory group has been appointed by Horse Sport Ireland, with former Acting Head of High Performance Sport at HSI, Bernard Jackman, announced as chair.

Jackman, a former professional rugby international and performance expert, is joined by international show jumper Nicola Fitzgibbon, former Olympic show jumper Jack Doyle, and sport horse agent and HSI Level 3 coach Barry O’Connor, who continues his role as athlete representative from the outgoing group.

The purpose of the group is to support team management and Ireland’s senior athletes in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, in particular assisting the senior High Performance programme by providing expert technical guidance, strategic insight, and acting as a sounding board for the HSI High Performance jumping director Michael Blake.

The group will officially commence its work in September 2025 and it is understood the former members were notified about the new committee in writing on Thursday, July 31st.

HSI said it has also reached out to Showjumping Ireland to nominate a representative to the group and is currently awaiting confirmation of their nominee. An SJI representative confirmed to The Irish Field that they received an email from HSI on Thursday afternoon inviting SJI to nominate a representative and the board of directors will meet and discuss the nomination at a later date.

The outgoing members of the group are Gavin Duffy (chair), Lisa Williams and Guy Hodgson. HSI CEO Denis Duggan thanked them for their contributions.