Commandant Geoff Curran has emerged as one of Ireland’s most captivating showjumpers, known for his commanding performances in puissance: the dramatic high‑jump discipline where horse and rider face ever‑rising walls. A native of Fenor, Co. Waterford and a former Olympic eventer from 2008, Curran now represents Ireland through the Irish Army Equitation School, a programme long respected for developing elite riders in both national and international sport.
Curran’s win in the Defender Puissance at the 2023 Dublin Horse Show was a moment to remember. Riding the Irish Sport Horse Bishops Quarter, he cleared the final wall set at 2.25 m, becoming the only competitor to do so in a thrilling finale that brought the crowd to its feet. His composed approach, straight-line precision, balance in the turn, and deep trust in his horse showcased both technical mastery and partnership.
He followed that up with another major puissance victory later in the year at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in Birmingham, clearing 2.20 m indoors aboard the same gelding in front of a sold-out arena. These back-to-back titles have established the Curran–Bishops Quarter duo as one of the most consistent high-jump pairings on the circuit.
Speed and Style
Curran is far from just a puissance specialist. In August 2024, he won the Royal Dublin Society Stakes (1.45 m speed class) at the Dublin Horse Show aboard DHF Alliance, finishing in 57.49 seconds—a class-winning time. The partnership also impressed at HOYS later that season, where they took top honours in the Dick Turpin Stakes, proving their speed and agility against elite competition.
Team Ethos and Irish Pride
Riding under the banner of the Irish Defence Forces, Curran credits the infrastructure of the Army Equitation School and the behind-the-scenes team for his consistency at the highest levels of the sport. His performances have earned him wide respect for professionalism and dedication, both as a rider and as an ambassador for Irish equestrianism.
His partnership with Bishops Quarter, an Irish-bred gelding by Obos Quality out of a Cavalier Royale mare, is a particular point of pride, not just for the Army team, but for Irish breeding as a whole. Together, they embody power, courage, and instinctive trust.
What to Watch in 2025
Looking ahead to the 2025 RDS Dublin Horse Show, Bishops Quarter is confirmed to return, defending his title in the puissance under the Friday night lights. With crowds expected to fill the stands once again and RTÉ broadcasting live coverage across Ireland, all eyes will be on Curran as he attempts to rewrite the record books yet again.
Also keep an eye on DHF Alliance, a rising star in speed classes who continues to deliver sharp, accurate performances under pressure. Whether over puissance walls or tight technical tracks, Curran rides with control, conviction, and the kind of quiet intensity that defines the sport’s very best.
