EQUESTRIAN:While next year's Oxygen concert at Punchestown has been increased to three days, the three-star international three-day event, traditionally held at the Co Kildare racecourse each May, has been cancelled for 2008.

Heavy rain during this year's concert resulted in a lot of damage to the centre of the track, where many of the equestrian practice areas are situated, and 60 acres had to be reseeded.

Dick O'Sullivan, manager of the racecourse, expressed his regret at the cancellation of the event but reiterated the track's commitment to equestrian activities.

"We didn't want to knock the event on the head but we needed the ground to come back. Oxygen was held in atrocious conditions, which we hope would not be repeated, but we have since carried out a lot of drainage work and put in an inner road.

"The event is not a commercial proposition but is part and parcel of Punchestown and has a natural home here. I would stress that this is a temporary sabbatical and we would hope, in conjunction with the new Horse Sport Ireland, to make Punchestown the home of the horse."

Gillian Kyle, director of the three-day event, expressed herself "devastated" by the decision but stated, "While it is disappointing to lose Ireland's premier three-day event for 2008, the opportunity presented to us and the racecourse to radically improve the site so that this situation never occurs again is very attractive."

Wexford's Niall Griffin, best-placed of the home riders in this year's CCI three-star at Punchestown when finishing fifth on Lorgaine, was surprised when informed of the cancellation by The Irish Times yesterday afternoon.

"I'm very disappointed," he said. "Punchestown is our biggest and best event and I'd mapped it out for four or five of my horses. It's important that we get it back as we cannot afford not to have Punchestown running. Eventing is a growing sport and it would be irresponsible for Ireland not to stage this major international event."

Meanwhile, the new senior international show jumping committee was announced this week, comprising Bernie Brennan (chairman), Pádraig Geraghty, Tommy Brennan and chef d'équipe Robert Splaine.

The committee will report to the board of Horse Sport Ireland through its equestrian sport manager, Niamh O'Sullivan.

The structure of the new committee was agreed between Horse Sport Ireland and the Show Jumping Association of Ireland in October.