'He can still train me' - NZ Olympic showjumper defends father after life ban

Trainer Jeff McVean accepted a life ban from Jumping NZ in exchange for complaints against him being withdrawn. Photo / Photosport

By Eduan Roos

New Zealand Olympic showjumper Katie Laurie has come out in support of her father, esteemed trainer Jeff McVean, after it was revealed he had accepted a life ban for alleged misconduct on a tour to Australia this year.

The Herald reported on Wednesday McVean had resigned from his post as Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ)'s Jumping high performance manager and agreed to "never again hold any role with Jumping NZ" in exchange for complaints against him being withdrawn during mediation last Monday.

ESNZ were made aware of the complaints from members of the New Zealand team over McVean and Laurie's conduct during the 2017 senior showjumping tour of Australia in April.

McVean was the chef d'equipe and coach for the team comprising Laurie, Lily Tootill, Natasha Brooks and Samantha Morrison.

During the same mediation Laurie, one of the country's top competitors, agreed to a suspended sanction which says she will be banned from competing in ESNZ events for three months should she breach any of the body's codes of conduct in the next 12 months.

Laurie, who relocated to Australia with husband, Jackson, in March this year, on Wednesday took to social media in support of McVean.

"Jeff is the most amazing kind person and I'm so proud to have him as my father," she commented on the Herald's Facebook page.

"He's an amazing trainer and this is all so unfair and sad.

"He can still train me."

Katie Laurie agreed to a suspended sanction. Photo / Photosport

Mark Hammond, McVean and Laurie's legal representative, earlier declined to comment on the nature of the complaints against the pair.

McVean represented Australia at three Olympic Games and held a top-10 world ranking before moving to New Zealand in the early 90s.

He has since established himself one of the leading jumping coaches in the country.Laurie made history as New Zealand's youngest showjumping equestrian when she rode at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and was the best performed Kiwi in the World Cup final when finishing sixth equal at the Leipzig event in 2011.

ESNZ said in a statement McVean "has not relinquished his roles with ESNZ Eventing or High Performance Eventing" and that he is "free to carry on coaching jumping riders who retain him on a private basis".