Irish jumpers through to World Cup final
Tuesday, 27 March 2001The Federation Equestre Internationale today confirmed that two Irish riders, Jessica Kurten and Peter Charles, will be amongst those considered as qualified for the World Cup Show Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, scheduled for April 12-16. Because the last World up Qualifier in the Netherlands was cancelled due to foot and mouth precautions, the FEI has decided to allow riders who had a fair chance to qualify there to go through to the final in Gothenburg.
This means that riders in the top 24 places of the Western European League now qualify for the World Cup Final. Peter Charles is in joint 5th Place in the League, while Jessica Kurten is in equal 24th Place.
Because of Foot and Mouth restrictions throughout Europe, the FEI has asked all participating riders to follow the guidelines laid down by the Swedish authorities with regard to transporting horses into that country. In effect, this means that all horses are required to have been resident in an FMD-free country for a period of 14 days before entry into Sweden. As FMD may spread to non-infected countries before the Final, the Swedish organisers of the World Cup Final have made arrangements for stabling near to the event venue in Gothenburg, so that qualifying horses may travel to Sweden now.
Horses that have been in an infected European country (at present, Ireland, France, Britain and the Netherlands) must be resident in an FMD-free country for 14 days prior to arrival in Sweden. That residency must be authenticated upon arrival at the Swedish border, with the date of entry into the FMD-free country having been stamped on the FEI passport by an official veterinarian. Both Irish riders have been informed by the EFI of these requirements.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
