CAROLINE Byrne, breeder and owner of the traditional Irish Sport Horse stallion Hallowberry Cruz, has entered into a lease agreement with the Army Equitation School for the 2018 season.

Captain Geoff Curran has taken over the ride on the 12-year-old Cruising stallion, out of the Clover Hill-sired Calcutta Clover. “They (the Army Equitation School) came looking for him after he finished with Shane Breen,” Byrne told The Irish Field. “We are very interested in the Army and the betterment of Ireland. Myself and Paul had a chat about it and said we would go down this route.”

The leasing period with the Army Equitation School is one year at a time and owners are paid a fee, as well as performance bonuses as part of the agreement.

“I am thrilled. People always asked me if he was for sale and for some reason I was never keen. The fact that he is traditional and now he is representing the country with the Army is fantastic. Geoff only had him about three weeks before going abroad and they clicked instantly,” Byrne added.

The horse has just returned to McKee Barracks after two weeks in Europe with Captain Curran, where they placed third place in a 1.45m at Vittel CSI3* in France last Sunday.

Officer Commanding of the Army Equitation School, Lt Col Tom Freyne added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to lease Hallowberry Cruz for the Army Equitation School. Our mission is to promote the Irish horse and support the Irish breeders. Hallowberry Cruz is an outstanding ambassador for the Irish horse. He is traditionally-bred and is a fully approved stallion. We have seen him perform successfully both nationally and internationally and we look forward to hopefully more success with him.”

The combination are entered in tomorrow's (Sunday) 1.50m New Heights Champions Series at The Meadows.