Dick Spring
Question:91 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence the plans his Department has for the purchase of new bloodstock for the Equestrian School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/01]
Written Answers - Equestrian School.
The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to advertise the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction 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 purchase board consisting of the officer com manding the equitation school, an official from the Department of Defence, the second officer commanding equitation school and Colonel E.V. Campion, retired. The equitation school actively encourages all breeders and producers who feel that they have a suitable horse to contact any member of the horse purchase board or the Army Equitation School to arrange for inspection and assessment with regard to purchase or lease.
The Army Equitation School currently has 46 horses, six of which are on lease. In 2000, a total of five horses were purchased for the school and a further eight young horses have been purchased to date in 2001. My Department continues to source high quality horses for the equitation school for competition at home and abroad and I intend to ensure that sufficient numbers of good quality horses will continue to be acquired by the school this year in order to maintain the proud tradition of that establishment.