WHEN the Army Equitation School was established in 1926, few could have imagined that it would still be thriving a full century later. Its story is inextricably linked with the decision taken by the RDS to add an international military team competition to Dublin Horse Show’s already busy programme, and the subsequent birth of the world-famous Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan trophy.

It’s a rattling tale of heroics, tenacity, foresight and intense national pride. Just a decade after the 1916 Rising, five years after the War of Independence and just three years after the end of the Civil War the newly-established Irish Free State agreed to provide a team to take on some of the biggest showjumping stars of their time.