Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence the plans he has to improve the quality of horses available to the Irish Army for competition purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/07]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse.

The Army Equitation School has in place a Horse Purchase Board consisting of the Officer Commanding the Equitation School, an official from the Department of Defence, the second Officer Commanding Equitation school and Col. E.V. Campion (Rtd.). The Equitation School actively encourages breeders and producers who feel that they have a suitable horse to contact the School to arrange for inspection and assessment with a view to purchase or lease.

In 2004, the Army Equitation School had 14 International wins at competitions throughout Europe, with 13 International wins in 2005 and a further 10 in 2006, including wins at Barcelona, Athens, Copenhagen and Zagreb. The Army Equitation School has had considerable success in 2007, notably Commandant Gerry Flynn's wins on Mo Chroí in the Dublin Grand Prix, the Lisbon Grand Prix, the Drammen Grand Prix and the Vimeiro Grand Prix. Captain Shane Carey holds this year's record for selection on the greatest number of Nations Cup teams — during 2007 he attended eight Nations Cup shows in total. It has recently been announced that Ireland's show jumping team will be promoted to the elite Samsung Super League in 2008, which is reserved for the best eight teams in the world. It has been recognised that Commandant Flynn's and Captain Carey's significant achievements in 2007 have assisted the Irish team in gaining re-entry to this league. Moreover, the success of the School over recent years is testament to the quality of the riders and of the horses at the School.

The Army Equitation School continues to source high quality horses for competition at home and abroad and the Minister intends to ensure that sufficient numbers of good quality horses will continue to be acquired by the school in order to maintain the proud tradition of that establishment.