FORTY-TWO of Ireland’s top show jumpers met this week to discuss the tender Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has put out for High Performance (HP) services up to LA 2028. The tender is a departure from the HP manager role which has heretofore been a contracted position.

With current High Performance manager Michael Blake’s contract due to end this week, the tender “seeks to engage innovative and capable service providers to design, implement, and manage High-Performance Programmes for senior jumping” and “proposals are invited from jumping sport managers with complementary expertise who share a vision for creating a world-class high-performance pathway for senior athletes”.

“Service suppliers are invited to put forward their fee for the delivery of the proposed services, together with an estimate of the likely outlay and expenses to be incurred, and any taxes to be applied. The fee should cover planning, programme development, event attendance (including Chef d’Équipe responsibilities).” The full tender request can be read at horsesportireland.ie/tenders.

The riders, through representative Barry O’Connor, sent a letter to HSI following the meeting requesting a number of changes to the tender and the selection panel which is understood to be made up of HSI CEO Denis Duggan, HSI COO Avalon Everett and two others (yet to be named).

“There is unanimous disappointment at the lack of transparency and communication from HSI’s running of the HP programme,” the letter states.

“The immediate concern we have relates to the tenure and future selection of a chef d’équipe. The group today have mandated me to request that the new selection process would involve a larger panel, ideally seven people like before, with current appropriate knowledge of the sport and what it will take to win championship medals in the near future.

“We also discussed the criteria for chef selection that you sent to the riders and find it completely inappropriate and unhelpful in selecting a future chef d’équipe. We ask that you change the criteria in full consultation with us, because we feel we are personally and professionally more aware of what is required.

“Following a very productive discussion among the riders today, it’s clear that a more significant team to support the next chef d’équipe, and a much stronger budget, are essential to enable Ireland to win medals at future championships. Transparency and allocation of funding are issues we would like to discuss directly with you in the immediate future.”

Duggan’s response

In response, Mr Duggan sent a letter to Mr O’Connor inviting the signatories to a meeting next Thursday. The letter also contained some ‘key facts to clear up rumours’. These included that ‘complaints about poor communication are valid, but the Team Manager is the main link between riders and HSI’ and ‘The High Performance budget is fully funded by Sport Ireland and HSI - in recent years, other bodies (eg SJI) have not contributed as before’. The letter also said ‘vet support has not been cut - horse welfare is a top priority - a request for a list of events needing vet cover was made to the Team Manager but no reply came back’. “No decision will be made through ‘side conversations’ - the process will be fair, impartial, and confidential,” the letter said.

Michael Blake

Speaking from Barcelona on his last official post under his current contract on Friday was Michael Blake, who said: “In recent days, several of Ireland’s high-performance riders have raised concerns with me about the process for selecting the next Chef d’Équipe. While no one is suggesting that riders should directly appoint the manager, this is the federation’s responsibility, there are legitimate concerns about the lack of transparency in how the interview panel has been formed.

“In international equestrian sport, it is standard that riders do not have a formal vote in such appointments. However, at this elite level, HSI should consult senior riders to ensure good chemistry, trust, and team culture. The riders are top professionals with a huge financial stake in what happens.

“I have given my heart and soul to the Irish team over the past six years, working with outstanding horses, riders, grooms, and owners. I believe I still have much to contribute, and I am fully committed to helping Ireland achieve our ambition of medalling at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“However, if the process to appoint the next Chef d’Équipe is not open and fair, and if the outcome is predetermined to favour a preferred HSI management candidate, then I must seriously question whether it is right for me to put myself forward. The Irish team, its riders, and its supporters deserve a selection process that inspires confidence and reflects the professionalism of our sport.”

Best practice

Following detailed questions about the concerns raised by the athletes, a HSI spokesperson said only the following:

“Athletes were not previously directly involved in selecting their own team manager and will not be on this occasion. This is in line with best practice in modern sports governance. The committee will include a non-conflicted individual with international equestrian jumping experience.

“We know that our team of athletes takes great pride in wearing the green jacket for Ireland. HSI and our athletes have the same goal, which is to have the best team manager and to campaign successfully at championships, such as the Europeans, Worlds and Olympic Games. We are all working to have Irish athletes on the Olympic podium.”

Confirming the events of the week Mr O’Connor, on behalf of the riders, said: “The riders are asking for meaningful involvement in the future running of the HP programme. We now have a scheduled meeting for next week with all riders invited. Contrary to unnecessary rumours, riders are not looking for a direct vote on the next chef d’Équipe which would be incorrect practice. They want confidence and transparency in the hiring of a panel with the majority as equestrian experts.”