Russian riding instructor Colonel Paul Rodzianko, appointed Chief Instructor of the Equitation School (1928 to 1931) by the Minister for Defence, was instrumental in the early competitive successes of the Equitation School. Between 1931 and 1939 the Equitation School went on to win 20 Nations Cups in the cities of Lucerne, Dublin, Boston, Toronto, New York City, Nice, Amsterdam, London, and Aachen.[2]
The school also has significant influence on national and supranational equestrian bodies. Both serving and retired Army Equitation School officers sit on committees and boards of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI), Show Jumping Association of Ireland, Eventing Ireland and the RDS Equestrian Committee. The Equitation School has contributed to the development of training and coaching in the Irish and international sport horse industry, with a number of programmes created by the school being adopted by national and international bodies as the standard.[5]
The Equitation School took in over €73,000 in prize money at national and international events in 2012. The budget to run the school for 2012 amounted to €2.26 million. 50% of prize money is shared with the school's riders. 100% of the costs of the school is paid by the Irish taxpayer.[6] The Irish horse sport industry is worth an estimated €800 million to the Irish economy.[3]
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