Horsezone Reviews: Ambassadors on Horseback

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Horsezone Reviews: Ambassadors on Horseback

Published on Thursday, July 14, 2011 in Reviews

'Ambassadors on Horseback - The Irish Army Equitation School' is an immaculately researched and beautifully presented book that provides detailed information and stunning photos on the history of the esteemed Irish Army Equitation School.

The book is written by Michael Slavin and Louise Parkes who are both extremely knowledgeable Irish horse people and internationally renowned equestrian journalists.

"It was due to his admiration for the values and standards of the Irish Army Equitation School that my late father, King Hussein, sent me to Ireland to train during my early showjumping career. He once told me that the school was 'one of the best examples of how the military and horses could celebrate history and work together for a peaceful future by inspiring people around the globe' - and this is exactly what it continues to do today", says FEI President, HRH Princess Haya in the Foreword to this wonderful book.

The brilliant photographs, on almost every page, provide an insightful pictorial story that brings the colourful Irish people and horses featured in the text to life.

'Ambassadors on Horseback' is a fascinating look at the instigation (in 1926) and early days of the Irish Army Equitation School, through to present day. The school was created to take raw recruits from cadets and turn them into accomplished horsemen who were capable of competing (and winning!) on Irish bred horses at international level. Not any easy task, however, over the years this is exactly what they achieved.

The Irish Army Equitation School's history ties in closely with the Royal Dublin Horse Show and it was interesting to read that the hugely popular sport of showjumping actually had its birth at this iconic show in 1868. The sport then grew across Europe and a whole new market evolved for Irish horses.

In 1926 the Aga Khan Cup was run for the first time, commencing life as a military Nations Cup, which was actually won by the Swiss, riding Irish horses. Then the Swiss went home with another 75 Irish horses. The Irish may not have won the cup on that occasion but they certainly came out winners on the horse promotion and sales front!

The School was founded to promote both Ireland and Irish horses and this book covers in great detail the wonderful and varied fortunes of both over the decades since 1926.

As the Irish Army Equitation School looks forward to its centenary in 15 years, it claims to be the world's only remaining military equitation school that still participates in top class international equestrian competition.

As Joe Walsh, Chairman, Horse Sport Ireland, says in the Introduction, "This is a unique 'good news' Irish story that is worth the telling. And it's not over yet. As the school heads towards its centenary, it enters a whole new phase of its history - one in which it is more and more a part of the evolution of the Irish Horse."

In Australia we have a very close affinity to the Irish, with many of us claiming Irish blood not too far back and as for Irish horses, we've long been fans of these versatile and talented mounts.

I give 'Ambassadors on Horseback' three out of four on the Horsezone four white socks scale. This is not the type of light book that you can knock over in a night's reading - it is a very detailed account, however, if you have spare time to devote and are keen to find out more about the very noble Irish Army Equitation School and Irish horses, I highly recommend it. Be warned - you may find yourself immediately searching for an Irish horse or buying a plane ticket to Ireland!

Meanwhile, until you have time to read it, 'Ambassadors on Horseback' would look fabulous on any horse person's coffee table and provide a very interesting topic of conversation around the fire on a chilly winter's night, with some good Irish Whiskey of course!

by Jo Johnson

View this promotional video for a sneak peak at some of the wonderful photos included in the book...

About the Authors:

Michael Slavin

Born in 1931, Michael Slavin has been a keen observer of horses since the time they were worked on his family’s farm in Cavan in the thirties and forties. When he moved to Dublin after the War the Horse shows at the RDS became an annual pilgrimage. Even when studying abroad for his Masters in Education he still found ways of finding horse events to attend. Soon after returning home in the late sixties he began a career as equestrian journalist and commentator. He has written for the Irish Field, Irish Farmers Journal, Horse and Hound plus other equine publications in six countries. He acted as RTE Radio’s Show Jumping and Eventing commentator for 20 years. His previous books include Irish Show Jumping Legends 1868-1998; The Ancient Books of Ireland and The Book of Tara.

Louise Parkes

Louise worked at the original Irish Horse Board and in the mid 1980s she set up the equestrian photographic agency, EPS, while also supplying reports and articles to high profile publications including Horse and Hound magazine and Horse International. In 1995 Louise became equestrian reporter for the Irish Independent newspaper and subsequently contract journalist to the FEI - roles she continues to fill. She also has experience as a broadcast journalist, providing radio reports and television interviews. Louise's work has taken her all over the world. A keen amateur rider and Connemara pony enthusiast, she lives in County Kildare.

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