Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2026
135. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of horses that had trials for the Defence Forces Equitation School in the years of 2025 and to date in 2026; of the number of horses that had trials the number that were successful in being accepted into the equitation school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48136/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Army Equitation School's mission is to promote the Irish horse through international competition. To maintain its high standards, the school acquires suitable Irish bred horses through a rigorous process.
After a suitable horse has been identified that meets an existing gap in the Equitation School’s portfolio of horses, the owner is invited to bring the horse to McKee Barracks for an official trial before the members of the Horse Purchase Board, which includes a representative of the Minister for Defence.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
No. of horses trialled |
No. of horses purchased/leased |
|
2025 |
7 |
4 |
|
2026 (to date) |
2 |
2* |
*To note, the purchase of both horses viewed in 2026 is still to be completed pending receipt of paperwork from the sellers.
There are a number of reasons why a horse may not be purchased following a trial, including failure to meet performance standards, disagreement on purchase price, or failing an independent veterinary examination.
