Equestrian may switch allegiance after misconduct probe
One of New Zealand’s top equestrians is understood to be considering a change of allegiance, to ride for Australia, in the fallout from an investigation into alleged misconduct. And the Kiwi governing body isn’t too concerned.
Katie Laurie, who became New Zealand’s youngest showjumping equestrian when competing at the 2008 Olympics, is believed to be at the end of her tether with Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) and has already been sounded out by riding officials across the Tasman, where she now lives.
It has emerged that the 31-yearold last week effectively copped a three-month suspended ban, and her father Jeff McVean - the ESNZ Jumping high performance manager - a life ban from showjumping, following complaints about their behaviour during the senior jumping team’s tour to Australia in April.
McVean, who competed for Australia at three Olympic Games and moved to New Zealand in 1990, had held his role with ESNZ since December last year and was the chef d’equipe and coach for the team of Laurie, Lily Tootill, Natasha Brooks and Samantha Morrison.
It’s understood Laurie was involved in confrontations with another team member. McVean is understood to have raised his voice at team members, with his actions being deemed bullying by the complainants, which included two mothers of riders.
ESNZ became aware of the complaints during the latter stages of the tour and set up a judicial committee to investigate. However, things were instead resolved during a private mediation last Monday, with the governing body ‘‘congratulating’’ the parties for sorting the matter.
The resolution saw complaints against McVean withdrawn as long as he agreed to never hold any role relating to showjumping with High Performance Sport New Zealand, while Laurie agreed to a suspended sanction which sees her banned from competing in ESNZ events for three months if she breaches any more of the governing body’s codes over the next 12 months.
But that’s not likely to be an issue now, with Laurie looking at competing for Australia. Previously based at Mystery Creek in Hamilton, she and husband Jackson moved to New South Wales earlier this year to expand their horse breeding business.
Under the FEI general regulations, there is a two-year stand-down period for competing for an adopted nation, but with her father’s Australian family heritage, Laurie will be able to immediately make the switch, with just a two-year wait for the Olympics.
ESNZ general manager and jumping director Dana Kirkpatrick had not heard of Laurie potentially making the switch, wasn’t sure of the eligibility criteria, and wasn’t concerned about the prospect of losing a rider who was inducted into the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show Hall of Fame in 2015.
‘‘She’ll have to make that decision, I’m not aware of what her plans are around that,’’ Kirkpatrick said.
McVean declined comment, while Laurie could not be reached.