Dublin Horse Show champion rider joins Ireland’s Army Equitation School

Second Lieutenant Michaelí Byrne (24) will be assigned to the Irish Army Equitation School following the commissioning ceremony of the 96th cadet class at Collins Barracks, Dublin

The Raheen, Co Wexford native won the Mo Chroi four-year-old championship final at the 2019 Dublin Horse Show with the Capri van Overis Z mare Boleybawn Bella, then owned by Ronan Rothwell and Ger O’Neill.

The mare’s dam, HHS Anna (by Andiamo Z), was purchased by Rothwell from Brendan Doyle and Tommy Kennedy when she was in foal with Boleybawn Bella.

The 2019 Dublin Horse Show Mo Chroi four-year-old championship final was judged by Great Britain’s Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash and Dutch international show jumper Willem Greve.

Speaking after the win in 2019, Ronan Rothwell said:“Michaelí Byrne is so dedicated to our horses and she has done an unbelievable job producing Boleybawn Bella.”

Ireland’s Army Equitation School was founded in 1926 to promote Ireland and the Irish horse.

It is the first time in the history of Ireland’s Military Equitation School that three female equitation officers will compete for the Irish Army in the same year, Captain Charlene Kehoe, Second Lieutenant Chloe Foley and Second Lieutenant Michaelí Byrne.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM.