THE Army Equitation School has been boosted by the news that two officers will join the school at McKee Barracks, joining riders Captain Geoff Curran, Lt Jennifer Larkin and Lt Charlene Kehoe.

Second Lt Adam Benson-Byrne and Second Lt James Whyte were commissioned at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, last Friday after a 15-month cadetship in the 93rd cadet class.

The commissioning ceremony was the largest in the history of the Irish Defence Forces with 68 new army officers, two Air Corps officers and eight Maltese officers receiving their military commissions.

Benson-Byrne (22), from Redcross in Co Wicklow, previously rode with dressage rider Markus Waterhues in Germany before being awarded his equitation cadetship. He also completed a level six course in Kildalton Agricultural and Horticultural College and has represented the cadet school in football, hurling, soccer, rugby and orienteering.

Longford man James Whyte (20) was studying was studying mechanical engineering in Athlone Institute of Technology prior to being awarded his equitation cadetship.

The officers will be under the command of Lt Col Tom Freyne, Commanding Officer of the Army Equitation School.

The school lost Captain David Power last summer when he took a leave of absence and went to work for leading American rider Lauren Hough.