Michael Blake raises concerns over Horse Sport Ireland’s panel to choose a new chef d’equipe
Michael Blake’s contract as the chef d’equipe — or leader of the Irish team — expired this month and HSI has said a four-person panel will select the new manager, who will take the Irish team to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
HSI chief executive Denis Duggan has said he and HSI chief operating officer Avalon Everett will make up half the four-person panel that will select the new appointee.
HSI has already faced criticism over a perceived lack of expertise amongst those on the selection panel.
In a letter defending the selection panel to the riders, Mr Duggan criticised Mr Blake’s management of the team, which he subsequently rejected.
In a new letter, seen by the Sunday Independent, and sent last Thursday, October 16, Mr Blake took issue with Mr Duggan’s criticisms of him.
My objective is not to seek favour but to ensure a fair process
The letter was sent to the Sport Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, to Sport Ireland and the HSI.
Mr Blake’s letter said he intended to apply for the newly tendered position but accused Mr Duggan of bias.
“Given that Mr Duggan has publicly issued false and damaging claims regarding my professional actions and integrity, it is impossible for him to act impartially or credibly in any process assessing my suitability for reappointment as chef d’equipe.
“Any involvement by him in that process would therefore constitute a serious conflict of interest and a breach of fair-procedure principles under both the Sport Ireland code of governance for sport and HSI’s own conduct policy.”
He asked that the Sport Minister and the HSI board ensure both executives recused themselves from the panel.
“My objective in writing is not to seek favour but to ensure a fair and transparent process for the good of the sport,” Blake wrote.
“The chef d’equipe position, whoever holds it, must be filled through a process that commands the trust of riders, owners, and the wider equestrian community. If the process proceeds under the present structure, that trust will be irreparably damaged.”
HSI declined to comment on the letter. A spokesman for the Sport Minister said all national governing bodies of sport are independent.