IT’S 90 years since the first rider from the Army Equitation School cantered into the main arena at the Dublin Horse Show and today the Ballsbridge showcase is every bit as important to the school and its personnel as it was back then.

The Army Equitation School was founded by Judge Wylie in 1926, the year Ireland fielded its first Nations Cup team for the Aga Khan trophy. The team was made up of three army riders – Ged O’Dwyer, Dan Corry and Cyril Harty.

Next week, Capt Geoff Curran and Lt David Power will keep the flag flying in the main arena at Dublin, a prestige that Officer Commanding Lt Col Tom Freyne says is vital for the school.

“Dublin is hugely important for us, to have our riders ride in the main arena is very very important,” said the OC. “It is where we get to showcase what we do, the highlight of our year, a fantastic five-star show in our home town.”

Emphasising the importance of tradition, Lt Col Freyne said it is the school’s history that makes it unique.

“Tradition is the most important thing, it sets us apart from others in the industry. Our history is still as relevant today as it was 90 years ago,” he said. And the ethos of the Army Equitation School has not changed since that very first year – it is “to promote the Irish horse, the Defence Forces and all things Irish.”

During a visit to McKee Barracks in the serene setting of the Phoenix Park, it’s hard to believe you are in the middle of a bustling city. It is from here that the army riders travel the globe promoting the Irish horse.

CRITERIA

Over the years the criteria for horses owned by the Minister For Defence has shifted slightly from being completely traditionally Irish-bred to just having to be born in Ireland. That shift, according to the OC, is due to the shrinking pool of top horses being produced in the country and it is an effort to continue to support the Irish breeders, the people the school lend a lot of credit to.

“Horses must be born in Ireland to be eligible for the school. The reason behind the shift is the shrinking pool of top horses. Plus, it is very important to keep supporting the Irish breeders – if a person is born in Ireland, they are entitled to an Irish passport, so it’s the same thing,” explained Lt Col Freyne.

The school works closely with the people at the grassroots of the industry and the breeders are at the top of that list.

In the past, the army personnel went on the road with Teagasc to show the breeders the type of Irish horses they need to get back to the top of the sport.

While the pool of horses available to jump at 1.60m level has shrunk in Ireland, Lt Col Freyne is confident the country is beginning to correct itself.

“We are still producing the top class horses, more of them are becoming available every year, MHS Going Global is a good example of that. We (the school) are really lucky in that we have some very nice young horses that we have high hopes for, we would love if there were even more with potential at the very top level,” he said.

Buying horses, a job Lt Col Freyne is tasked with, is a challenge the Army Equitation School faces on a yearly basis. The school is allocated a yearly budget of €900,000 to cover all operational costs, including the €300,000 that is allocated to purchasing horses. The OC does not have resources to buy horses already competing at the highest level and for this reason, the school tend to purchase horses as four, five and six-year-olds.

“While some people might think that is a lot of money, we can’t afford to go out and buy the older horses. It is really important to spend that money wisely and that means buying younger horses. We have the skills and facilities here to take our time and produce those horses to championship level. We are looking for the horses to peak between the ages of 10-15.

“That system has worked really well for the school over the years. Plus, that way we are closer to the breeders and the early producers.”

The school also procure horses through a lease programme, whereby the owners are paid an annual lease fee for the competition life of the horse, and there are a number of patrons who have donated Irish horses to the army. The Jump Jet, who represented Ireland in eventing at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, was donated by Maurice Cassidy, along with other successful horses.

NEW ROLE

Lt Col Freyne himself is relishing his new role as Officer Commanding, a post he took up earlier this year following the retirement of Lt Col Brian MacSweeney. Freyne was a rider at the school for 10 years and former chief instructor.

“It’s a great honour to be Officer Commanding and to be a part of the school. We have some really great riders and the lads are working really hard, I am really enjoying it.

“There is a huge challenge ahead, I am hoping we can be as successful, if not more successful than in the past. This year’s horse show will be a special one for the Army Equitation School as it marks its 90th year, and 90 years of the Aga Khan Cup, in which many of the Army Equitation School personnel competed in through the years. Ninety years in a big thing for us. We want to show our appreciation for all the support we get from everyone in the industry, without the breeders we wouldn’t have anything.”

All roads lead to Ballsbridge and beyond for Lt Col Freyne and his team of talented officers.