FORMER chief instructor and second in command of the Army Equitation School, Tom Freyne, has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and has taken over as the Officer Commanding of the school, following the recent retirement of Lt Col Brian MacSweeney. Lt Col Freyne has been the number two in McKee Barracks since late 2009. Between 1989 and 1998, he rode under Col Ned Campion, enjoying considerable success with Lischane, Castlepollard, Cratloe and Marlton.

A level coach and HSI tutor, Lt Col Freyne is also a joint-master of the Tipperary Foxhounds and has completed two overseas missions to Lebanon and Afghanistan.