Cian O'Connor has pulled out of next week's Samsung Super League show in Aachen, Germany, following an injury to his top horse Waterford Crystal. The 14-year-old gelding has aggravated an old splint, a bony growth on the lower part of the leg that can cause lameness.
In a statement issued last night, O'Connor said that he regretted having to withdraw the horse from Aachen, where the horse jumped a double clear last year. "Waterford Crystal has an old splint which has reactivated. It would not be prudent to compete until this condition has resolved itself," the statement said. The horse will be given a two-week lay-off, but should be fit to travel to the Samsung Super League final in Barcelona next month.
Longford vet Brian Gormley, who this week replaced Liam Buckley on the selection panel, examined Waterford Crystal at O'Connor's yard in Ashbourne, Co Meath, yesterday and gave an official report to chairman of selectors Taylor Vard, confirming that the horse had a splint and would not be travelling to Aachen.
O'Connor's withdrawal may have come too late to allow for a replacement rider to be drafted in, however. Last-minute attempts were being made last night to draft in Jessica Kürten, who has refused to ride on a team with O'Connor following Waterford Crystal's failed drugs test at the Athens Olympics, but Vard had been unable to contact the Antrim rider. If Kürten is unavailable, Mr Vard said he would approach Harry Marshall, but Marshall told The Irish Times yesterday that he would not travel to Aachen "with the same guys in charge".
Marshall called for the resignation of the entire selection panel after being controversially dropped from the Aga Khan team at the Dublin Horse Show.
Aachen show organisers could, however, refuse to accept a late substitution.
Entries for the show officially closed at 5pm on August 11th and the Irish have already made one late change with Denis Lynch being brought in after Marie Burke had to withdraw Chippison with an injury.
A veterinary certificate and an official report from Mr Vard, including the nomination of a possible substitute, are expected at the Equestrian Federation of Ireland offices today. The documentation will then be forwarded to Aachen, but informed sources were doubtful yesterday that a substitute would be accepted.
The Irish Times has also learned that O'Connor has issued legal proceedings against a Sunday newspaper through Dublin solicitors Fanning and Kelly. A writ was served on behalf of O'Connor to the offices of Ireland On Sunday yesterday afternoon following publication of an article last weekend.
In a separate development, a new doping charge has been levelled against an Irish show jumper. Derry rider Christian Coyle's horse Glenkeen Highlight tested positive to three painkilling drugs at Cavan show last November. The case is being reviewed by the International Equestrian Federation's judicial committee and a decision is expected "within the next few days", according to Alex McLin, head of the federation's legal department.
In a further equine doping case, Co Waterford owner Terry Power has been fined 3,000 Swiss francs and ordered to pay 1,750 francs costs after a positive dope test on his pony Loughnatousa Bart at an Italian show last year. The pony tested positive for two prohibited substances, both of which have combined anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and has been disqualified from all placings at the fixture.