TAYLOR Vard has been appointed interim show jumping High Performance manager by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) following the conclusion of Michael Blake’s contract.

It comes as a meeting between Ireland’s top show jumpers and Horse Sport Ireland about the matter had to be postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

Vard will provide team selection for the upcoming three-star jumping Nations Cup in Vejer and, where necessary, FEI Jumping World Cup shows.

“Taylor has been team manager for Ireland at numerous Nations Cups and was instrumental in the Irish silver medal win at the EEF Series Final in Warsaw in 2024,” HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, said of the appointment.

“He has an excellent relationship with both the riders and HSI and we have no doubt that he is the right man to step into the role on an interim basis.”

HSI confirmed a meeting with the High Performance show jumping athletes has been rescheduled to Monday, given the number of athletes competing internationally this week.

“The purpose of the meeting is to provide clarification on the High Performance tender process, to listen to athlete feedback, and to ensure transparency and fairness,” a HSI spokesperson said.

“Any feedback received on Monday will be considered in line with HSI’s governance framework.”

The meeting was called after the show jumpers sent a letter to HSI expressing a raft of concerns about the request for tender for a new manager and the make-up of the selection panel, which is to include HSI CEO Denis Duggan, COO Avalon Everett and one other.

In a letter to the riders on Thursday, Mr Duggan confirmed the High Performance Advisory Group headed by Bernard Jackman would not have a role in the selection of a team manager.

“The group is an advisory one, which means it does not make any decisions as we are now in that period between the conclusion of the last team manager contract and the process to offer a new contract. The committee will be consulted as we progress through that process, but it has no formal role.”