Minister for Defence Mr Tony Killeen, T.D., today attended the Annual Corofin Show in North Clare.
The Show remains a solid fixture on the local events calendar and attracts large crowds from the surrounding areas.
Showjumping is an integral part of the Show and this year two riding officers from the Army Equitation School, Second Lieutenant David Power from Kilkenny and Second Lieutenant James Heelan from Limerick were participating at the event.
The Army Equitation School was established in 1926 to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competition.
The School has continued to discharge this task by competing in national and international events in showjumping. Army riders have represented Ireland at Olympic, World and European level in Showjumping. With wins in many competitions at the World Championships, Army riders on Irish bred horses have indeed been and continue to be a powerful force in advertising and promoting the sale of Irish horses abroad.
Through the participation of its riders in various national equestrian bodies, the Army Equitation School aids in the development of riding and general equestrian development by passing on the invaluable training and experience gained by its competitive riders.
Speaking at the Corofin Show Minister Killeen said “I am delighted that the Army Equitation School are participating today. The Corofin Show is a very important event for our community and attracts large crowds each year who thoroughly enjoy the day. I am always impressed by the horsemanship and skill of the riders participating.”
The horses participating at the Corofin Show were Derryinver, a 13-year-old gelding ridden by 2/Lt Power and Kilmichael, an 11-year-old gelding ridden by 2/Lt Heelan. Riding Officers from the Equitation School will participate in a number of shows over the coming weeks including Aston Le Walls in the UK, Dungarvan, the Dublin International, the National Championships, Kildare, Harpury in the UK and several locations in Spain and Germany.
Previous Riding Officers from County Clare include James Neylon, Michael Tubridy and John Quinn.
James Neylon, from Corofin, was a member of the first officer cadet class and served as a Riding Officer in the Equitation School from 1932 – 1952. He recorded 16 international wins and was a member of 8 winning Nations Cup Teams during this period at prestigious shows in Boston, New York & Lucerne, amongst others. James Neylon rode a number of horses during this period including “Kilmallock”, “Miss Ireland “, “Limerick Lace” and “Duhallow”. During the period 1958 – 1968 Col Neylon was the Commanding Officer of the Equitation School and also performed the role of Chef d’Equipe to the Irish Teams.
Michael Tubridy was a member of the first Post War Cadet Class and served as a Riding Officer in the Equitation School from 1946 – 1953. He was also a Clare GAA Football player and won an All Ireland medal with Cork. He had numerous victories during his time competing for the School including; winner of Dublin Grand Prix 1946 & 1953, winner of New York Grand Prix 1950, member of Aga Khan winning Team in 1949, member of winning Nations Cup team in New York in 1953. Michael Tubridy rode a number of horses during this period including “Kilkenny”, “Ballynonty”, “Rostrevor”, “Lough Neagh” & “Bruree”
John Quinn, an uncle of Jim Quinn, organiser of Ennis Show, was a Riding Officer in the Equitation School during the 1940/50’s. One of the prizes awarded during Ennis Show is the “Tubridy Cup” named in memory of Michael Tubridy.
The Show remains a solid fixture on the local events calendar and attracts large crowds from the surrounding areas.
Showjumping is an integral part of the Show and this year two riding officers from the Army Equitation School, Second Lieutenant David Power from Kilkenny and Second Lieutenant James Heelan from Limerick were participating at the event.
The Army Equitation School was established in 1926 to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competition.
The School has continued to discharge this task by competing in national and international events in showjumping. Army riders have represented Ireland at Olympic, World and European level in Showjumping. With wins in many competitions at the World Championships, Army riders on Irish bred horses have indeed been and continue to be a powerful force in advertising and promoting the sale of Irish horses abroad.
Through the participation of its riders in various national equestrian bodies, the Army Equitation School aids in the development of riding and general equestrian development by passing on the invaluable training and experience gained by its competitive riders.
Speaking at the Corofin Show Minister Killeen said “I am delighted that the Army Equitation School are participating today. The Corofin Show is a very important event for our community and attracts large crowds each year who thoroughly enjoy the day. I am always impressed by the horsemanship and skill of the riders participating.”
The horses participating at the Corofin Show were Derryinver, a 13-year-old gelding ridden by 2/Lt Power and Kilmichael, an 11-year-old gelding ridden by 2/Lt Heelan. Riding Officers from the Equitation School will participate in a number of shows over the coming weeks including Aston Le Walls in the UK, Dungarvan, the Dublin International, the National Championships, Kildare, Harpury in the UK and several locations in Spain and Germany.
Previous Riding Officers from County Clare include James Neylon, Michael Tubridy and John Quinn.
James Neylon, from Corofin, was a member of the first officer cadet class and served as a Riding Officer in the Equitation School from 1932 – 1952. He recorded 16 international wins and was a member of 8 winning Nations Cup Teams during this period at prestigious shows in Boston, New York & Lucerne, amongst others. James Neylon rode a number of horses during this period including “Kilmallock”, “Miss Ireland “, “Limerick Lace” and “Duhallow”. During the period 1958 – 1968 Col Neylon was the Commanding Officer of the Equitation School and also performed the role of Chef d’Equipe to the Irish Teams.
Michael Tubridy was a member of the first Post War Cadet Class and served as a Riding Officer in the Equitation School from 1946 – 1953. He was also a Clare GAA Football player and won an All Ireland medal with Cork. He had numerous victories during his time competing for the School including; winner of Dublin Grand Prix 1946 & 1953, winner of New York Grand Prix 1950, member of Aga Khan winning Team in 1949, member of winning Nations Cup team in New York in 1953. Michael Tubridy rode a number of horses during this period including “Kilkenny”, “Ballynonty”, “Rostrevor”, “Lough Neagh” & “Bruree”
John Quinn, an uncle of Jim Quinn, organiser of Ennis Show, was a Riding Officer in the Equitation School during the 1940/50’s. One of the prizes awarded during Ennis Show is the “Tubridy Cup” named in memory of Michael Tubridy.
