PROMOTING IRISH HORSE - Defence Forces

PrOfIlE
lT COl GErrY O’GOrMAN
COMMANDING OffICEr EquITATION SChOOl
Lt Col O’Gorman joined the Cadet School in 1972 and on
commissioning was posted to the Equitation School. On transferring
to the Transport Corps he attended Bolton Street College for
three years where he studied transport engineering. He has
served overseas with the United Nations both in Transport and
Operational appointments in Lebanon (1978 & 1999) and in Iraq &
Kuwait (1992 & 1993). While stationed in the Curragh, he carried
out duties of liason officer to the Racing authorities of the Curragh
Race-course and Punchestown. He is a National Hunt racing
enthusiast and also hunts regularly with local packs from his home
in Straffan. He is currently a board member of Horse Sport Ireland & also a member of the
finance committee of Horse Sport Ireland. Since his appointment as Officer Commanding
the Equitation School in 2004, Lt Col O’Gorman has consistently pursued the promotion
of the image of the School to all elements of the equestrian industry.
PrOfIlE
COMDT ThOMAS frEYNE
SECOND IN COMMAND AND ChIEf INSTruCTOr
Comdt T. Freyne joined the DF in 1988 and was posted to the
Equitation School in 1990. During his riding career he competed
in showjumping at a national and international level. In 1995 he
competed in the international class’s in the RDS as well as winning
numerous national Grand Prix classes. In 1998 he continued his
career outside the Equitation School joining the 3rd Battalion in
Kilkenny. He served overseas in 1999 in Lebanon and in 2006 in
Afghanistan. During this time he continued his involvement with
horses by hunting and teaching. He is a qualified HSI Level 2 coach,
tutor and joint master of the Kilkenny Foxhounds. In 2009 Comdt
Freyne returned to Equitation School as 2 i/c and Chief Instructor.
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