Emer Bermingham

EDGAR Hogg is disputing the result of the HSI/Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour at Mullingar EC last weekend based on video footage from Irish sport TV.

Official Showjumping Ireland results show that Interpreter, owned by Hogg and ridden by his son James, crossed the line in 39.14, just 0.05 seconds slower than the winner Liam O’Meara and Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight (39.09).

Speaking to The Irish Field, Edgar Hogg said: “After viewing the jump-off of Mullingar Spring Grand Prix on Irishsport.tv, James and I requested from SJI a head-to-head video of the winner and second-placed horse Interpreter and an explanation why the timing board display was not working during the jump- off.

“Lar Sutton of Irishsport.tv forwarded a head-to-head video which shows that Interpreter crossed the finish line in front of the winner.”

The Hoggs have requested an explanation from Showjumping Ireland.

However Robert Fagan of Mullingar EC said: “The clock which was in operation in Mullingar is the most up-to-date FEI-approved Tag Heuer timing system. There was no communication to any officials on the day of any issue with the timing.”

A statement from Showjumping Ireland, issued yesterday, read: “Under Showjumping Ireland rules, protests concerning irregularities or incidents during a competition or the classification of a competition must be made not later than 30 minutes after the announcement of the results.

“Protests must be in writing, signed by the authorised person making the protest and presented personally to the President of the Ground Jury, to the President of the Appeal Committee or the Secretary of the Show, together with any supporting evidence, names of witnesses and the deposit of €30.

“A video recording may never be used to establish the time of an athlete’s round.”

WATCH the video head-to-head: