MICHAEL Blake will remain in his role at the Irish senior show jumping manager until 2024. The Co Clare native has signed a contract extension that will take him through to the end of the current Paris 2024 Olympic cycle.

Blake took up his position as team manager and chef d’equipe towards the end of the 2019 season, having previously held the roles of senior jumping development manager and assistant team manager to the senior team.

Blake’s role going forward will also see him become even more involved with Ireland’s youth show jumping programme, working in collaboration with the team managers of Irish teams from pony (U16) level up to the Young Rider grade (U21).

Commenting on his new contract, Blake said: “I am delighted that Horse Sport Ireland have extended my contract for the Paris Olympic cycle. We also have the World Championships to look forward to in Herning, Denmark this year and many other five-star Nations Cups around the World.

“I am excited, as there is an extensive pool of exciting young riders coming along; in addition to the older more experienced riders that we have. I am also pleased to have a role to play with the youth teams this year, as this was where it all started for me.

“I would like to thank Horse Sport Ireland, the Board, the riders, their accompanying families and teams and of course a big thank you to all of our owners and sponsors for their continued support. With the help, dedication and commitment of our extensive list of riders, I am really looking forward to our continued success.”

Despite much disruption to the international show jumping calendar during the past year due to Covid-19, Blake has continued his inclination for giving young riders experience at senior Nations Cup level, handing several riders their senior debut and he also selected a youthful squad for the 2021 European Championships in Germany. Under his guidance, Ireland won three Nations Cup competitions in 2021 and finished runner-up at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona.

Just last Sunday his team won the five-star Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Kernan and Marshall reappointed

Horse Sport Ireland has also confirmed that, following an interview process, James Kernan has been reappointed as Youth (U14, U18 & U21) show jumping team manager and is contracted until October 31st, 2024.

Kernan has over the past number of years managed numerous Irish youth riders to medal success at European level. He commented: “I am very happy to continue in my role as Youth team manager. We have some great horses and riders to choose from this year across all age groups and we are very hopeful of winning more medals for Ireland at this year’s European Championships.”

Gary Marshall has also been reappointed as Pony (U16) team manager until October 2024. Marshall has managed the Irish pony team to multiple European medals and Nations Cup victories.

“We are very lucky to have fantastic pony riders to choose from in Ireland and I have no doubt that we will be very competitive again this year. I am delighted to renew my contract with Horse Sport Ireland for a further three years and am looking forward to continuing to work with the riders, sponsors and all at Horse Sport Ireland,” Marshall commented.

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan, who took up his role earlier this month, added: “We are delighted that all three of our show jumping High Performance team managers are to continue in their current roles, giving stability to our High Performance programmes. They have all in the past provided strong leadership at the top level of the sport and their experience and commitment will be hugely important for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.”

The senior managers for dressage and eventing have not yet been announced by HSI.