Commission on the Defence Forces 2021 Submission - Army Equitation School - An Scoil Eachaíochta - Friday, March 12, 2021 - Army ...
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Commission on the Defence Forces 2021 Submission - Army Equitation School - An Scoil Eachaíochta Friday, March 12, 2021 1
The author – Paul Nolan. Paul retired from a business career in 2018 after over 37 years. Paul started his career in 1981 working for a medium-sized Irish company [Glennon Insurances – 200 employees], in 1986 he joined a US multi-national [Cigna – 55,000 employees] and in 1999 a UK multi-national [RSA – 23,000 employees]. For the last 15 years of his business career, Paul was part of national and international strategic and portfolio review/audit/evaluation teams working in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Paul was selected for this role due to his technical professional qualifications [Chartered Insurer and Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute], his management and work experience in different disciplines such as claims, underwriting, sales and marketing, training, risk control, complex multi-national programmes, security and facilities management and customer-facing roles. Paul has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of colleagues from different cultures in multiple jurisdictions. 2
Paul started his career as an equestrian commentator in 1990 and as an equestrian journalist in 1999. He became a member of the IAEJ (International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists) in 2009. Paul covers a range of national and international equestrian disciplines including, show jumping, eventing, dressage, para equestrian and carriage driving and has worked at numerous Irish Championships. He has a life-long involvement with the horse world and has worked with radio, TV and online media providers, including FEI TV, for commentary, interviews and reports. In 2004 Paul was awarded life membership of Dressage Ireland in recognition of his services to Irish dressage and in 2019 he was presented with the John Martin memorial trophy for his contribution to Eventing Ireland Northern Region. Paul Nolan Paul Nolan Equestrian Limited Equestrian Commentator and Journalist – Ireland Website: www.paulnolanequestrian.com Member: IAEJ (International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists) Tel: 00 353 86 855 0858 E mail: paulpnolan@eircom.net 3
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Contents Introduction Page 6 (1) Budget Page 9 (2) Horse Procurement Page 12 (3) Potential Elitism? Page 17 (4) Indoor Viewing Gallery, Defence Forces Website, Social Media, Branding and Uniforms Page 27 Conclusion Page 30 Attachments Page 32 References Page 34 5
Commission on the Defence Forces 2021- Army Equitation School Submission - An Scoil Eachaíochta Introduction In December 2020 the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney confirmed that Aidan O’Driscoll – former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, and previously Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture – will chair the Commission on the Defence Forces. Minister Coveney stated “This is about modernising Irish Defence infrastructure and making sure that it’s fit for purpose and to make sure that the Defence Forces have the resources they need to do the job that we ask of them.” This document will include observations on the opportunities and challenges facing the Army Equitation School in the third decade of the 21st century. This will include proposals to modernise the Army Equitation School infrastructure and for changes to the current structure of the school to make sure it is fit for purpose and that the team at the Army Equitation School have the resources to do the job they are asked to do to achieve their objectives and mission as follows: (a) to PROMOTE the Irish Horse (b) to SUPPORT the National Sport Horse Industry and Organisations (Horse Sport Ireland, Show Jumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland and Royal Dublin Society) (c) to ADVISE on: (i) Coaching (ii) High Performance Training for Horse and Rider (iii) Sport Horse Breeding Strategies 6
(d) to PERFORM to a standard of excellence in: (i) Competition (ii) Training Horse and Rider (iii) Coaching (iv) Stable Management (e) to ACT as a Public Relations Agent for the Nation [promoting Ireland], the Defence Forces [leading excellence, we will excel in everything we do by developing a culture of progressive evaluation and innovation] and the Irish Sport Horse [promoting the Irish Sport Horse]. (f) to ADVERTISE the Irish competition horse through participation in International events at the highest level (g) to MANAGE AND DEVELOP a school of equestrian excellence 7
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1. Budget In a recent article by Louise Parkes [‘Curran puts Irish Army back under the spotlight…’ www.worldofshowjumping.com – December 4th, 2020](1) there was reference to a ‘relatively meagre Army Equitation School budget of €900,000 that must cover everything apart from staff salaries.’ The ambition of the Army Equitation School strategy must be clear, an increase of this current expenditure budget number to €2,000,000 by 2023 and to €5,000,000 by 2026. The volatility and unpredictability of the current annual budget funding model has presented numerous challenges for strategic planning and the optimal management of the Army Equitation School over many decades. I attach the relevant extracts regarding the horse purchasing budget from ‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes [Attachments 1 (Page 141), 2 (Page 144) and 3 (Page 149)]. Prior to 1978 the Irish currency was linked to the British pound sterling. In 1972 the horse purchasing budget was £10,000. Within a year it had been trebled to £30,000. By 1976 it had increased again to £100,000. In addition, a further £50,000 was added in 1976. On a relativity basis, a top world-class Irish Sport Horse jumper could be purchased in 1976 for £50,000. This is where the school is losing out. The inflation-adjusted value of the pound sterling [1976 – 2020] is STG£645.78 [ https://www.inflationtool.com/british- pound/1976-to-present-value ](3). The purchasing power of the 1976 horse budget [£150,000] is the equivalent of STG£968,673.90 [€1,073,319.74] today. [https://themoneyconverter.com/GBP/EUR](4). The horse purchasing budget, let alone the total budget for the school, has lost its relativity to purchasing world- class Irish Sport Horses in 2021. As you will see from the ‘City News section of the Dublin Tribune – [Thursday, August 29, 1991 – Attachment 4 ], the Department of Defence confirmed to journalist Nicola Byrne that in 1988 the horse purchasing budget had been reduced to IR£20,000 (€25,394.46). [https://www.mataf.net/en/currency/converter-IEP-EUR](2) 9
The strategy for the future funding of the Army Equitation School should be to change from the existing annual budgetary (current expenditure) model to a multi-annual (current expenditure) funding model equivalent to a set annual allocation. A multi-annual (current expenditure) budget model will allow for medium/long term strategic management. In this context, the strategic aim is a multi-annual (current expenditure) budget rising to an annual allocation of €2,000,000 by 2023 and rising in stages to €5,000,000 by 2026. The proposed strategic current expenditure budgetary target for the Army Equitation School is in line with the Defence Minister’s own statement “to make sure that the Defence Forces have the resources they need to do the job that we ask of them.” The proposals for the current expenditure budget are separate from applications for capital works under the heading of the Defence Forces and Department of Defence capital budget. The Army Equitation School is seeking to achieve national and international success at the highest level yet the current equestrian infrastructure and facilities at McKee Barracks are not up to the same standard of the world-class equestrian competition yards. For example:- Karlswood Stables – Ireland – [ https://www.cianoconnor.com/about- karlswood ] (5) or Stal Kasselmann – Germany – [ https://hof- kasselmann.de/en/activities/anlage/ ] (6) The Army Equitation School must continue to submit separate capital budget plans (all works undertaken and facilities installed to align to the Army Equitation School’s Environmental Sustainability Carbon Neutral Target) to the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence to bring the equestrian infrastructure and facilities at McKee Barracks up to a world-class standard. 10
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2. Horse Procurement
The Army Equitation School procures horses by the following means:
(a) Purchase
(b) Lease
(c) Patron
Horses have been donated to the school by patrons, including Sir John Galvin,
Lady Moira Forbes and Mr Maurice Cassidy.
The question is could the Army Equitation School be more proactive?
The Army Equitation School is to ACT as a Public Relations Agent for the
Nation [promoting Ireland], the Irish Sport Horse [promoting the Irish Sport
Horse] and to advertise the Irish competition horse through participation in
International events at the highest level and be a school of equestrian
excellence. Has the Army Equitation School reached out to the Irish diaspora
to actively seek patrons or citizens who would lease or donate an Irish Sport
Horse of a suitable standard to them?
In the past the Army Equitation School, the Department of Foreign Affairs
and the Industrial Development Authority used the participation of Army
riders in international competitions, particularly in North America and Canada,
to promote Ireland as a nation and secure multi-national investment and
employment for the state. At a FEI World Cup Finals in The Netherlands some
years ago, I had a long discussion with Captain John Roche (former jumping
director of the FEI [International Equestrian Federation] and equitation officer
at the Army Equitation School [European Championship team bronze
medallist]) about this government policy to promote investment in Ireland.
In addition to embassies, consulates and the residences of Irish ambassadors,
the Department of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland
and IDA Ireland has a number of ‘Ireland Houses’ for diplomatic and trade
missions around the globe. A selected number of embassies, consulates,
residences of Irish ambassadors and ‘Ireland Houses’, particularly in North
America and Canada, should be targeted by the Army Equitation School for
potential horse patron/horse leasing leads.
Are there any pictures of the Irish Army Equitation School in reception
rooms in these official Irish government premises around the globe? Are there
any brochures about the Army Equitation School in reception areas of
embassies, consulates or ‘Ireland Houses’? If not, why not?
12Residence of the Irish Ambassador to the United States of America, Washington DC Embassy of Ireland – Washington DC, United States of America 13
Has the Army Equitation School collaborated with the Public Relations Branch of the Defence Forces and the marketing and media teams at Horse Sport Ireland to produce a corporate video about Ireland’s Army Equitation School to promote patronage and leasing of Irish Sport Horses to the school? This video should be available for viewing on plasma screens, on social media and/or on websites at designated Irish embassies, consulates residences of Irish ambassadors and ‘Ireland Houses’. Has the Army Equitation School extended invitations to senior civil servants and diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs, senior officials from IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to visit the school in McKee Barracks? This proposal is not an open-ended commitment. There is a business case for horse procurement by way of leasing and patronage. The proposed Irish Sport Horse procurement strategy should be reviewed after 5 years to see how many ‘leads’ have been converted into suitable horses that have been donated and/or leased. There is mission statement overlap between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Army Equitation School. All four are charged with promoting the nation, a modern Ireland in the 21st century, on the world stage. Anyone who has organised the visit of senior overseas chief executives to this country will testify that the business meetings are the easy part of the assignment. The real challenge for civil servants, special advisors, senior executives and diplomats is meeting the demands of visiting statesmen and woman, visiting senior politicians, visiting global chief executives and their spouses, partners and families. All have different interests ranging from visiting the national gallery to visiting the Ring of Kerry. For those expressing an interest in horses and the Irish Horse, the Army Equitation School should offer a prestige visitor experience to enhance their image of the country and our horses. I can assure you that you will establish many beneficial contacts with numerous grateful civil servants, special advisors, senior executives and diplomats. You also get the opportunity to showcase the school to high net-worth individuals, world statesmen and woman, influential politicians, global chief executives and key diplomats. This is a textbook example of Irish state agencies collaborating in a mutually beneficial arrangement. They are all wearing the green jersey to positively promote the nation at home and abroad. 14
In a post-COVID-19 world, subject to agreement with the Department of Foreign Affairs, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, there is no reason why senior officers from the Army Equitation School should not visit designated embassies, consulates, the residences of Irish ambassadors and ‘Ireland Houses’ abroad to brief diplomats/officials as to what the strategy is, how to go about achieving it and procure Irish Sport Horses of a suitable standard for the school. The competitive successes of any Irish Sport Horses secured by this collaborative initiative will need to be recognised, publicised and shared with your partners in the Department of Foreign Affairs, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. This will go along way to maintain the momentum of this proposed initiative and increase the likelihood of further horses being donated and/or leased. This would be a clear demonstration that all four state agencies, working as a team, have secured a successful outcome for Ireland, with potential for more success in the future. The title of the book by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – The Irish Army Equitation School – ‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ was well chosen and clearly resonates with this proposed policy initiative. 15
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3. Potential elitism? The Army Equitation School has come a long way since its foundation in 1926. The Defence Forces and the Department of Defence are like the Royal Family, they do not do revolution rather evolution. The recruitment of the first female grooms in 1990 followed by a female equitation officer joining the school in 1998 were positive steps in the right direction. The 2016 appointment of a female officer as second in command of the school was a significant decision and advanced the process of bringing the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Equitation School into the 21st century. However, the Army Equitation School has been criticised for not giving opportunities to non-commissioned officers to compete for the school. This issue is not going away and will have to be addressed. Picture this, a senior Defence Forces officer or senior official of the Department of Defence at a televised session of a Dáil Éireann [Irish Parliament] parliamentary committee. Question – After protracted debate and review, the US Department of Defence, the US Navy, the British Department of Defence and the Royal Navy have all managed to resolve the complex issue of female officers and ratings serving on submarines. How is it that since 1926, both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have failed to address the issue of recruiting male and female non-commissioned officers, of a suitable standard, to compete for the Army Equitation School? What if the answer to that question is not a clear, positive response, outlining that this issue is being addressed by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces with a view to changing the current policy of exclusion of a non- commissioned officer, of a suitable standard, competing for the Army Equitation School? 17
If it is not, there is a very real potential for self-inflicted reputational damage to the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Equitation School. What was tolerated in 20th century Ireland will no longer be accepted by the public and key stakeholders, at home and abroad, in a modern 21st century Ireland. The discourse and debate could raise the issues of preferment, old school tie, elitism and discrimination. This is not a space that the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces or the Army Equitation School want to be in. It is a matter of public record that there are annual reviewable plans in place for each horse and rider in the school. Does the same apply to grooms and staff? One would hope that the answer to that question is ‘yes’. I fully understand that this issue is a challenge for the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Equitation School and will not be resolved tomorrow. The journey needs to begin now. To address this issue, some practical interim steps are required now. The role of the Ceremonial Unit needs to be enhanced with a heightened profile of participation. The funding of this unit needs to be reviewed with a view to increasing the annual budget. The Army Equitation School already benefits from positive PR coverage of the participation of horses and riders of the ceremonial unit at leading flat and national hunt race meetings in the Curragh and Punchestown broadcast live on national television. 18
Why no horses and riders from the ceremonial unit at events such as the National Day of Commemoration (Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta) at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham? Why only equitation officers and horses at events such as the annual Defence Forces day for the public at Farmleigh House with no horses and riders from the ceremonial unit participating? The Army Equitation social media twitter account and the Defence Forces social media twitter account could both be used to show more images of the horses and riders of the ceremonial unit along with images of grooms from the Army Equitation School exercising horses at national and international shows. 19
A picture tells a thousand words. Look at this official image of the Army Equitation School. Why does it need to be replaced with an image that is in line with promoting a modern Ireland in the 21st century? First, all equitation officers. Second, all male officers. Third, no members of the Ceremonial Unit. As of now, what would an ideal official Army Equitation School framed picture look like? One to display at home and abroad, including in the reception rooms of Irish embassies, consulates, the residences of Irish ambassadors and ‘Ireland Houses’ and to be used in all official publications from 2021. At the top of the picture frame, a caption – ‘Ireland’s Army Equitation School – Promoting Ireland and the Irish Horse’. In picture five horses and riders and one NCO with the national flag. Far left of picture, female member of the Ceremonial Unit, left of picture. female equitation officer, middle of picture. senior (competitively active) equitation officer, right of picture, male equitation officer and far right of picture, male member of the Ceremonial Unit. At the bottom of the picture frame, a caption naming the participants, the horses and the NCO with the national flag. 20
This is a picture that should be included in the Army Equitation School Strategy document. The Irish Army Equitation School participating in the 2016 Easter Sunday commemoration ceremony and parade at the GPO in Dublin. Lt Col Brian MacSweeney [then Officer Commanding] (Ringwood Abbey) lead the five- strong Army Equitation School representation of Captain Geoff Curran (Rolestown), then Second Lt Jennifer Larkin (Dunran Castle), Private Aoife Flood Curran (Donadea) and then Private Ash Weadick (Deerpairc). 21
In the interim, the role of the non-commissioned officer needs to be reviewed in a positive way with a view to a male or female non-commissioned officer competing for Ireland the Army Equitation School. Sometimes budget cutbacks can work to the advantage of the Army Equitation School. In 1933 just three riders were sent to North America. Four team members were required to compete for Ireland in the Westchester Cup at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cavan man Private William Finlay was drafted in on the difficult ride Ireland’s Own to help secure victory for Ireland. According to reports in the American media he got ‘a massive reception from the packed Madison Square crowd.’ [Attachment 5 – ‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – Page 69]. One of the Army Equitation School’s most distinguished non-commissioned officers, the late Sergeant Major Steve Hickey (course designer at the FEI World Jumping Championships – Royal Dublin Society 1982), was a member of the Ceremonial Unit [The Blue Hussars]. 22
The Army Equitation School has three options for the procurement of horses, (i) purchase, (ii) leasing and (iii) patronage. In 1977 the Army Equitation School had fifteen competitively active equitation officers [Attachment 6 ‘Billy Ringrose – A memoir of my father’ – page 209 – Interview with Commandant John Ledingham]. This number reduced to just three competitively active equitation officers when Captain David Power left in 2017. Does the Defence Forces and the Army Equitation School want a repeat of the period after 2008 and until 2013 when no equitation cadets were recruited to the Army Equitation School? Unless they had no option, would anyone run a business that is 100% dependant on one supplier? The introduction of a non-commissioned equitation officer grade will reduce the Army Equitation School’s 100% dependence on the cadet school for the supply of riders and will assist in avoiding a repeat of the recruitment deficit after 2008 and before 2013. The Army Equitation School strategy document needs to include a clear and unequivocal commitment to change in the current structure to two grades of equitation officers (a) commissioned equitation officers and (b) non- commissioned equitation officers. A proposed draft wording would read as follows: 1n 1996 the Army Equitation School sought and received approval from the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence for the recruitment of a female equitation cadet, of a suitable standard and subject to the qualifications required to apply for a cadetship in the Army. The first female equitation officer joined the school in 1998. 23
In 2022 or 2023 at the latest, the Army Equitation School will undertake to seek permission from the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence for the recruitment of a non-commissioned equitation officer, of a suitable standard and subject to the approval of the Interview Board and the Recruiting Officer. Following completion of Defence Forces recruit training programme, the successful candidate will join the Army Equitation School at the rank of Corporal and will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant after 48 months service. Why is this important? (a) the future of the Army Equitation School is dependent on a positive relationship with the government of the day, different political parties (some who are in power and others who could be part of a future coalition government) are more aligned with non-commissioned officers and lower ranks rather than commissioned officers. No one political party has secured an overall majority in an Irish general election since 1981. All governments since then have either depended on independents for support or consisted of a multi-party arrangement. The change in voting patterns at the 2020 general election are an indicator of the parties likely to form a future Irish Government. The window of opportunity for change, between then and now, is closing with every passing day. (b) this issue has generated both private and public adverse comment (including on social media platforms) from serving member of the Defence Forces, former members of the Defence Forces, equestrian stakeholders, members of the media and members of the public, (c) over many years the issue of the funding of the Army Equitation School has been the subject of debate in the national press, on social media and on the national airwaves – why give those opposed to the funding of the Army Equitation School another ‘stick to beat them with’? and 24
(d) some potential patrons from the Irish diaspora may be self-made millionaires and or billionaires or the spouses and partners of self-made millionaires or billionaires. Given their own life experience, they may be more inclined to donate a horse to a unit where every man and woman, not just those from a privileged social class and education, is getting an equal opportunity to compete and succeed for Ireland with an Irish Sport Horse at the highest level in equestrian sport. The time is now for new thinking and a new approach while both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces still have the opportunity of initiating this change rather than being forced to do it. The former is a ‘win/win’ and the latter is a ‘lose/lose’ outcome. It is an opportunity for the both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to turn a vicious cycle into a virtuous circle on their terms, while they still have the chance. 25
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4. Indoor Viewing Gallery, Defence Forces
Website, Social Media, Branding, Uniforms,
and Signage
The role of the Army Equitation School is to ACT as a Public Relations Agent
for the Nation [promoting Ireland], the Defence Forces [leading excellence, we
will excel in everything we do by developing a culture of progressive evaluation
and innovation] and the Irish Sport Horse [promoting the Irish Sport Horse] and
to advertise the Irish competition horse through participation in International
events at the highest level.
If you are going to persuade senior state agency officials and management,
senior civil servants, diplomats and wealthy potential donors from Ireland and
the Irish diaspora to support the Army Equitation School team, you need to
impress them with a world-class offering when they visit McKee Barracks.
The website and social media profile of Ireland’s Army Equitation School needs
to reflect a prestige, world-class promotion of all the work undertaken by
the men and women of Ireland’s Army Equitation School, of Ireland and of
the Irish Sport Horse.
The viewing gallery at the upper level of the indoor school at McKee Barracks
needs to be renovated and upgraded. The viewing gallery should be a prestige
display area (along the lines of a high-class visitor centre), to promote the
school, the nation and the Irish Sport Horse. The corporate video of the Army
Equitation School (vision only) needs to be running on at least four new plasma
screens streamed from new audio/visual display technology equipment. All the
display cabinets will need to be replaced with high end active led illuminated
display units and led illuminated lobby stands. All the proposed works and
facilities installed to align with the Army Equitation School’s Environmental
Sustainability Carbon Neutral Target. Information on suitably qualified
professional companies for the design work and fittings should be available
from the Office of Public Works.
OPW - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/office-of-public-works/?referrer=/*
27In consultation with the Public Relations Branch of the Defence Forces, there should be a review of branding, signage and uniforms of the Army Equitation School. The theme should be a prestige promotion of Ireland and the Irish Horse. I appreciate the Defence Forces have staffing issues. Even allowing for that, the current images and content on the Army Equitation School section of the www.military.ie website are both in need of a significant review and upgrade. (Why a picture of an equitation officer riding a horse in the pouring rain? Really? Is that the best the Public Relations Branch of the Defence Forces can do?). Link - https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/equitation-school/ The social media presence of the Army Equitation School needs to be reviewed and enhanced. Consideration should be given to conducting a review of both the website content and social media offerings in collaboration with the Public Relations Branch of the Defence Forces and the marketing and media teams at Horse Sport Ireland. 28
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Conclusion The final report of the Commission on the Defence Forces should not include a few uninspiring, bland, patronising paragraphs about the Irish Horse and the Army Equitation School that anyone could have written today. The Army Equitation School is a unique Irish success story with an enviable track record of both national and international team and individual wins over the last 94 years. The school has faced many challenges since its foundation in 1926. It was closed just 13 years later to reopen again in 1945. It has survived tough economic times and is currently dealing with the challenges presented by the first global pandemic in 100 years. The Army Equitation School will need to grasp the opportunities and face into the challenges presented by the third decade of the 21st century. Making the case for the Army Equitation School is something the team of men and women at McKee Barracks do every day by the excellence of their work in promoting Ireland and the Irish Horse. The realistic, achievable target is clear. A recommendation in the final report of the Commission on the Defence Forces coupled with a commitment from the Department of Defence and the Irish Government to provide the resources to implement a fresh, new dynamic strategy for the Army Equitation School in the decade ahead. One based on greater investment and opportunities for more male and female members of the defence forces to compete and achieve success for the Army Equitation School, Ireland and the Irish Sport Horse in national and international eventing and show jumping competitions at the highest level across the world. 30
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Attachments Attachment 1 - ‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – Paragraph Two (Page 141) Attachment 2 -‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – Paragraph Two (Page 146) Attachment 3 -‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – Paragraph One (Page 149) Attachment 4- ‘City News section of the Dublin Tribune – ‘Army Riders in a Storm by Nicola Byrne’ – Paragraph 9 – 29/8/1991 Attachment 5 – ‘Ambassadors on Horseback’ by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes – Paragraph One (Page 69) Attachment 6 ‘Billy Ringrose – A memoir of my father’ - Interview with Commandant John Ledingham – Paragraph Two – (Page 209) 32
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References (1) https://www.worldofshowjumping.com/WoSJ-Exclusive- interviews/Curran-puts-Irish-Army-back-under-the-spotlight.html - Article ‘Curran puts Irish Army back under the spotlight…’ by Louise Parkes published on worldofshowjumping.com on 4/12/2020. (2) https://www.mataf.net/en/currency/converter-IEP-EUR - Irish Pound to Euro conversion rate. (3) https://www.inflationtool.com/british-pound/1976-to-present-value - Inflation Tool (British Pound Sterling 1976 converted to present value). (4) https://themoneyconverter.com/GBP/EUR - Money converter (British Pound Sterling converted to Euro). (5) https://www.cianoconnor.com/about-karlswood - Karlswood Stables – Ireland (6) https://hof-kasselmann.de/en/activities/anlage/ - Stal Kasselmann – Germany 34
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