From its tentative beginning back in the post War of Independence days of 1926 right to the present the Irish Army Equitation School has been assigned what has been termed the “most extraordinary mission impossible” - of plucking raw young recruits from within the Cadet Corps, training them to the highest level of horsemanship, mounting them on jumpers bred on the farms of Ireland and sending them out to compete against the international stars of equestrian sport at events around the world.
That they have done with astounding success as our Army riders have won thousands of individual contests, including over 50 major class Grand Prix and Derby events in the great cities of the world from Rome to New York to Rotterdam and London .
The soldiers on horseback from McKee Barracks have also been part of up to 60 Irish winning Nations Cup teams – including 17 home victories in the Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS in Dublin.
But down the years, these heroes of the saddle have been denied the greatest of victories – an Olympic medal. Sometimes through political manoeuvrings; sometimes by sheer bad luck but at all times never without determined effort this highest international accolade has eluded them.
Here are recounted in great detail and with liberal illustrations the highs and lows; the heartbreaks and excitements of top flight international competition in which the Army riders have always endeavoured to punch above their weight.
Ambassadors as well as riders, the Army team has met with many of the historic figures of the last 80 years – from Presidents to Prime Ministers, from Royal heads of state to dictators like Mussolini. Their mission has always been to show the best that is of Ireland and at the same time advertise the virtues of the Irish horse.
As told by two of Ireland’s most experienced equestrian journalists this is a unique story of Irish can-do against the odds. It delights, amuses and makes us proud to be termed the Land of the Horse.
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