Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the activity of the Army Equitation School in 2009 and to date in 2010. [30159/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The mission of Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to promote the Irish horse sector abroad through participation in international competition. In 2009 and to date in 2010, the Equitation School has continued to discharge this task, competing in national and international events in showjumping and three day eventing.

During 2009, Riding Officers riding Irish bred sport horses won 9 international competitions. An Army Equitation School Riding Officer was a member of two Super League Nations Cup Teams; the first at Aachen (Germany), where the team was placed fifth and the second at Falsterbo (Sweden) where he was on the winning team. These results secured Ireland's place in the premier Nations Cup league for 2010. Other highlights of the 2009 season include, winning the Puissance competition in the RDS Dublin Horse Show and securing the achievement of leading Irish rider at the show. The Army Equitation School achieved great success in the Young Horse competitions in 2009. Three young horses were selected to represent Ireland in the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken (Belgium). One horse won the silver medal in the Six Year Old World Final.

On the International Three-day eventing circuit one Riding Officer was selected for the National Three Day Eventing Team competing at the European Championships. International success was achieved at Burnham Market (England), Tyrella (Northern Ireland), Saumur (France), Luhmullen (Germany), Hartpury (England) & Pau (France).

In 2010, Army Equitation School horses and riders have been campaigning on the national and international show jumping circuit, with the aim of being selected for the Irish teams participating at the Meydan Super League Nations Cup series which will be held at venues across Europe, culminating in the Dublin Horse Show in August.

To date, an Army Equitation School Riding Officer has participated successfully on the Irish Nations Cup Team in Rotterdam in June, winning one International Class and placed in another International Class. He will be participating at Falsterbo in Sweden on the 9 July, as a member of the Irish Nations Cup Team. The same Officer has also achieved third place in the famous Hickstead Derby at the end of June. The School is also competing on the National Grand Prix show jumping circuit throughout the year.

Building on its previous success in Three Day Eventing, the School is competing on the national, UK and international circuit with the aim of being selected for the Irish team competing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky at the end of September. In addition to its competition activity, the Army Equitation School continues to support the Irish horse industry. The School is represented on several committees of the national governing body, Horse Sport Ireland. In February and March of this year the School, in conjunction with Teagasc, hosted information seminars for breeders of sport horses.

To provide support to young rider development, the School will accommodate three training bursaries to young riders competing in the disciplines of show jumping and eventing. The School played host to the National Junior and Young Rider Showjumping selection trials. The School also accommodates applications for work experience from Transition Year students and requests from interested groups and individuals to visit the premises. The Army Equitation School Horse Purchase Board will continue to source high quality horses for purchase and lease for competition at home and abroad.