Equestrian Military Possibilities in the UK and Ireland

[McG]

Being a graduate and experienced competition rider - what is the path into the Military that complements a competition career up to international standard?

If any!

 

[LEC]

I would say UK army does not support it. Lots if chances to ride but only Dickie Wayfood managed both probably thanks in part to his regiment being Kings Troop. Only Irish army does but I think they have really cut back.

 

[teapot]

There arn't any in the British Armed Forces.

As Lec mentioned, Dickie Waygood only managed it in part because of his (long term and that doesn't happen very often, 7 years I think he did) position as Riding Master of the Household Cav and some involvement with the KTRHA displays).

You'd be encourage to ride as one of your sports and ride in uniform as service competitions, other than that, nothing...

 

[dieseldog]

I think if you are good enough you would get the support other sports get in the Military. They see sport as a showcase and if you are good you will get lots of time off to train. But you need to be world class. It also helps if the sport is a big interservice one, as they like nothing better than beating each other. At a lower level they do lots of competing abroad in say skiiing which is all funded. The riding clubs have training weeks, UK SJ competitions, get to jump at Windsor and Olympia.

 

[teapot]

Actually think DD makes a good point re 'world class'. I highly doubt Heather Stanning was allowed a year off from her RA post on a whim...

Also you need to consider why you want the military - the chance to spend your days competing with them as a sponsor and you seeing the actual job as more of a drag, or actually want a career in the Forces...

 

[wench]

I'd doubt the Irish army will be recruiting any time soon, and apart from that, even if you are in the forces, you won't get much finding unless you are exceptional

 

[snooples]

With the Irish army you have to do so many years in the normal army and then try and apply for the special equestrian units. Id imagine competition is quite stiff but there are a couple of people competing at 4* eventing and top level showjumping so if you do manage to get that far I think they are quite good at supporting you.
As has been mentioned its quite difficult to get into the Irish army right now and if your a UK resident id say you have no chance

 

[Squidge90]

I'm currently serving in the RAF.

Don't expect huge amounts of support from the service. We are very lucky in that you can get time off to attend RAF training/ competitions and you can get your petrol/ entry fees paid for any military competitions depending on station funding. But it pretty much ends there.

There is the opportunity to ride at Windsor (1.05) and Olympia (1.20m) plus other various military events (all located down south)

But other then that your route into a competition career is the same as someone serving on civvie street (maybe with a 4 month tour of Afghan thrown in)

I of course can't comment on the other services inc mounted units although I expect the navy is very similar to the RAF.

 

[gadetra]

The Irish Equitation Corps is extremely difficult to get into. You train as a cadet, serious training and then onto the army and if you're good enough you might get to head in at the bottom in the Equitation Corps. A neighbour of mine is there now. Very tough to get there but a fabulous unit and facilities.
I would say it's a very difficult route to take.
Good luck if that is what you decide to do. I think the intake age limit is 23 so I don't know if that affects you.

 

[paddy]

I think you may have been speaking with someone who remembers the army pre-austerity. OH is ex Kings Troop (beware calling Dickie Waygood Kings Troop - there's huge competition between the two regiments (or no competition at all, if you're talking to them lol!)), but left around 20 years ago (wow that makes him sound old). They used to go Intermediate eventing all round the country, and he went to Spruce Meadows for show jumping, and Europe too I think. We're no longer that country and the military, like everyone else, has had to make cuts. A jolly to go show jumping/ eventing sounds rather frivolous when weighed up against equipment for front line troops.

That said, the AMEC course up at Melton (Army BHSII equivalent and an incredible 6 months of intensive training) is very well worth doing if you can get onto it.

 

[flyingfeet]

I think you may have been speaking with someone who remembers the army pre-austerity. OH is ex Kings Troop (beware calling Dickie Waygood Kings Troop - there's huge competition between the two regiments (or no competition at all, if you're talking to them lol!)), but left around 20 years ago (wow that makes him sound old).

Quite right - the HCMR (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) do not appreciate being called KT!

Would agree with the above, this is not a path to help an international eventing career due to the huge cut backs.

 

[paddy]

Quite right - the HCMR (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) do not appreciate being called KT!

.

And of course the Kings Troop RHA with guns are the senior regiment on parade so def don't appreciate the confusion!! lol! Sorry, something had to rub off after 12 or so years of marriage!