Horse Sport Ireland and Cian O’Connor file appeal to the FEI Tribunal

The FEI has confirmed to World of Showjumping that Horse Sport Ireland (The Irish National Federation) and Cian O’Connor have filed an appeal to the FEI Tribunal. The appeal was filed on the 3rd of September. It follows the rejection of the Irish appeal on the decision made by the Ground Jury in Aachen during the European Championships. After an on-course incident in which a member of the arena fence crew ran across the track as O’Connor was turning towards the 11th fence during the team final with the horse Good Luck hitting the fence to complete the course on four faults that cost the Irish team qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.

The protest made by Irish Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine and Cian O’Connor was heard on the Friday night in Aachen by the Ground Jury and rejected. A subsequent appeal was then heard by the Appeal Committee. After a further full review of the incident, including hearing statements from all parties, the Appeal Committee rejected the appeal and upheld the Ground Jury decision.

An FEI spokesperson says to World of Showjumping that John Roche, FEI Director of Jumping, states that in 28 years with the FEI he cannot recall ever receiving a report that the Ground Jury had removed faults in any similar incident.

To the Irish Examiner, Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall said: “We are confident that we have a valid case."