“I am happy that the CAS has confirmed the decision of the FEI Appeal Committee”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said after receiving today’s ruling. “This was a field of play issue that was covered by FEI rules, so the CAS ruling upholding the decision made at the time is an important one for the FEI.”
The appeal to CAS was lodged by Cian O’Connor and Horse Sport Ireland on 11 September 2015 and a hearing took place in Lausanne (SUI) on 16 December 2015.
The appeal resulted from an 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 at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen. The horse Good Luck hit the fence to complete the course on four faults.
Cian O’Connor and the Irish chef d’equipe Robert Splaine lodged a protest immediately after the class, but the Ground Jury ruled that the result would stand. A subsequent appeal to the Appeal Committee later that night was rejected and the Ground Jury decision was upheld.
Today’s CAS ruling means that the results from Aachen remain unchanged, with Ireland finishing seventh overall. The full award, complete with reasons for the decision, will be issued at a later stage.
Cian O’Connor posted on Facebook today (04/01/16):
“Disappointing News – Court Of Arbitration for Sport have upheld the decision of the FEI appeal committee from Aachen which means Team Ireland do not get a place for the Rio Olympics.
I have no regrets. I tried everything possible and left no stone unturned in trying to seek fairness for what I feel was an unsporting decision made by the ground jury in Aachen. It’s time to move on and refocus on the sport rather than getting caught up further in bureaucracy and even more angry with officialdom. Team Ireland are first reserve because of the good performance at WEG in 2014 so there is always a chance that we will get there yet- so best to keep aiming for it I guess!!
Another interesting chapter for my book when I get round to it and I look forward to telling the no-holds-barred version!!!”
