THE non-selection of the six-year-old event horse AKD Cooley Lockdown for the upcoming World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers was greeted with disbelief by the owners while Horse Sport Ireland stood firmly behind its selection process, announcing some of Ireland’s most experienced event combinations for the French challenge.

While congratulating those that were selected, well known owners Richard Sheane and Georgina Philips expressed ‘’shock and disbelief’’ that their winning horse, ridden by Katie O’Sullivan, was not named for Le Lion d’Angers (October 19th-22nd).

The couple said their horse “probably was Ireland’s best hope of a medal’’ at the one-star upcoming competition and expressed hope that the selection process would change in the near future.

“The horse’s record speaks for itself. He is unbeaten at national and international level. He won at Camphire International Horse Trials and Millstreet Horse Trials. He filled the full criteria brief. He has never knocked a show jump at competition level,” the Sheanes told The Irish Field yesterday.

The couple added: “While this is a great loss for the horse and Katie who put so much into producing the horse for these Championships, it is in reality a greater loss for the breeders and producers of this country. This horse had all the ability to win a medal and promote our nation and the stud book. It is incredible that in the last 10 years, we have only won one medal at these championships. We should be able to go there and bat with the very best of them. It is in all our interests that the top horses go and compete there.

“We objected in full but none of our questions were answered. The process for selection for Le Lion needs to be dramatically changed in order to win well deserved medals. It must be based on merit and not on a personal opinion. Successful horses win medals.”

A Horse Sport Ireland spokesperson responded: “A three-person selection committee selected the horses for Le Lion. The selected horses fulfilled all the criteria. AKD Cooley Lockdown was selected as first reserve for the CCI1* six-year-old category. It should be noted that in the six-year-old category, the National Federation is only permitted to send three combinations. The seven-year-old category permits 12 NF combination places. This year, the IRL six-year-old category saw 13 combinations qualified.

“The Selection Committee considered all combinations in line with the published criteria and all combinations were advised accordingly. The decision of the Selection Committee is final. However, where requested by unsuccessful combinations, an expanded reason for non-selection was provided by the Le Lion Committee. The Le Lion Committee do not wish to publicly comment on particular reasons or alleged reasons for the non-selection of any combination as those deliberations are private.

“However, the Le Lion Committee can confirm that Cooley Farm have advised of the withdrawal of AKD Cooley Lockdown as a reserve horse.”

Georgina Philips added: “We were told that our winning horse did not have enough gallop, that he was not fit enough and had too much condition on, that he looked laboured when jumping clear – the only horse to do so – in Millstreet’s show jumping ring.

“No veterinary opinion was sought as to his fitness from the vets on site. Our horse has never knocked a fence. Ireland’s best chance of getting a medal at Le Lion will remain at home and that’s not taking anything away from the other horses and riders who have been selected for Le Lion."

Le Lion Selections

Six-year-old horses

Cooley Cosmopolitan Diamond (ISH): 2011 bay gelding by Canturo (HOLST) out of BM Barbie Doll (ISH), by Master Imp (TB). Bred by Katy Murphy, Co. Meath. Owner: Niki Potterton. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)

DSL The Entertainer (ISH): 2011 bay gelding by Omar (BWP) out of Cloverhill Girl (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Owner/Bred by Caroline Bjoerk, Co. Kildare. Rider: Elizabeth Power (IRL)

John The Bull (ISH): 2011 chestnut gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of Think About It (TB), by Houmayoun (TB). Bred by James Byrne, Co. Westmeath. Owner: Helen Caton. Rider: Jonty Evans (IRL)

Seven-year-old horses

BT Rock N Roller (ISH)(TIH): 2010 grey gelding by High Roller (TB) out of BT Little Daisy (ISH), by Glenagyle Rebel (ID). Owner/Bred by Bridget Speirs, Co. Kildare. Rider: Camilla Speirs (IRL)

DSL The Professor (ISH): 2010 bay gelding by Mermus R (KWPN) out of Abbey Arch (ISH), by VDL Arkansas (KWPN). Bred by Harry and Heather Noble, Co. Longford. Owner: Joan Hayden. Rider: Elizabeth Hayden (IRL)

Hollybrook Hotshot (ISH): 2010 bay gelding by Ars Vivendi (HOLST) out of Beechwood Girl (ISH), by Nordic Region (TB). Bred by Frank Ryan, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Louise and Jane Bloomer. Rider: Louise Bloomer (IRL)

Guidam Roller (ISH): 2010 bay gelding by Guidam Gold (ISH) out of Black Roller (ISH), by High Roller (ISH). Bred by Gerard Callan, Co. Louth. Owner: Alex Donohoe. Rider: Alex Donohoe

Sportsfield Pennywell (ISH): 2010 grey mare by Cobra (HOLST) out of Belle du Soir (AES) by Hairos (AES) bred by Louise Daly, Meath. Owned: Paul Donovan, Tipperery. Rider: Paul Donovan

Travelling

Ballycahane Lucy (ISH): 2010 grey mare by Harlequin du Carel (SF) out of Ringmoylan Beauty (ISH) by Coevers Diamond Boy (ISH) bred by Christopher O’Sullivan SNR, Limerick. Owned by Gerald Furnell. Riden by Dominic Furnell

7yo CCI**: Brian Morrison and Global Event horses’ Shanaclough Contadora, representing the Anglo European Studbook (AES).