Equestrian News: In what all will hope is the final chapter in the saga surrounding the Olympic show jumping trainer, the re-appointment of Eddie Macken to the post was finally ratified by the Equestrian Federation of Ireland yesterday.

Following written confirmation yesterday from Dublin solicitors A and L Goodbody that Macken's legal dispute with the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) had been settled, Olympic chef d'equipe Col Ned Campion officially appointed Macken to the role of Olympic and Super League trainer in accordance with the wishes of the senior riders.

Macken had initiated legal proceedings against the SJAI following his highly publicised sacking from the unpaid post as team trainer on June 8th. However, agreement has now been reached between the two sides, and the SJAI is to pay Macken's legal fees and phone bill, and make an official apology to the Longford-born show jumper.

The job had originally been given to Lt-Col Gerry Mullins in January of this year but, following representations from a number of the senior riders who wanted to train with Macken, the SJAI selection panel reversed their decision and appointed Macken on February 17th.

In a bid to stem the tide of controversy, pressure was applied by both the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Sports Council. As a result, the Equestrian Federation put Col Campion in as chef d'equipe on June 22nd, leaving the post of trainer to be filled after consultation between Campion, Olympic equestrian team manager John Ledingham and the senior riders.

Yesterday's announcement confirming Macken as trainer should now restore some sort of harmony among the team as they prepare for the big German fixture at Aachen in less than a fortnight.