IN THE latest twist to the long running saga surrounding the 1998 World Equestrian Games, which has just lost Nissan as its title sponsor, the RDS has applied to hold the 1998 Dublin Horse Show on the August dates currently occupied by the Games.

But RDS chief executive Shane Cleary stressed yesterday that the application to run the show from August 5th-9th of next year was a contingency plan that would only be brought into operation should the World Games venture collapse.

Although Cleary refuted the suggestion that the sound of hollow laughter was echoing down the hallowed halls of the RDS following the pullout by Nissan, there is no doubt that relations between the Games' organising company, WEG Ireland, and the RDS have been strained since the breakdown of negotiations a fortnight ago resulted in WEG Ireland moving the show jumping, dressage and vaulting out of the Dublin showgrounds to concentrate all six WEG disciplines at Punchestown.

"We're not cheering," Cleary said yesterday. "Our main concern is our show and We just want the whole thing resolved. But in the event that the Games do collapse, we want to know that the date would be available to us to hold the Horse Show."

Ironically, the RDS application has to go through Michael Stone, secretary general of the Irish Equestrian Federation, but also disciplines director of WEG Ireland and a central figure in the organising of the Games, which are scheduled to run from August 4th-16th next year.

"I will notify the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) that the RDS want the date on standby in case the Games don't take place," Michael Stone said. "The FEI might want to retain the date for separate world championships if the Games don't happen, but we're not dead yet."

Stone went on to say that WEG Ireland is continuing to seek Government assistance to keep the project afloat, but is not looking for further financial handouts.

"We're not looking for more Government money, we're just asking them to underwrite any borrowings we may have between now and the end of the year to give us time to prove ourselves. If the equestrian festival at Punchestown is a big success next month, it will go a long way towards restoring confidence and then we can attract secondary sponsors.

But the Irish venture may not be granted sufficient time to restore the faith of the commercial world, as FEI secretary general Professor Bo Helander stated yesterday that there was a definite time limit before the sport's international governing body pulled the plug.

"We will have to make a decision within the next month or two as it wouldn't be possible to relocate at a later stage", he said. "I hope there is a solution because, if the Games don't go ahead, Ireland will lose all credibility as the host of major sporting events. It's not the end of the day, though. What has been lost is roughly £1 million, but that could be compensated for as long as people don't lose faith in the project and the Government continues its support.

WEG Ireland submitted a proposal for underwriting the venture to Minister for Tourism and Trade Enda Kenny on Monday.