COMMANDANT Sharon Crean has made history by becoming the first female officer to be appointed to Second in Command of the Army Equitation School, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

She takes over from Lt Col Tom Freyne, who was recently promoted to Officer Commanding at the Equitation School.

Prior to joining the Defence Forces, Sharon Crean competed successfully in pony eventing at an international level. She joined the Defence Forces in 2000 and on commissioning was posted to the Equitation School as a riding officer. Under the command of Lt Col Gerry Mullins, Crean competed in showjumping at a national level.

In 2003 she continued her military career outside the Army Equitation School, studying in NUIG from where she graduated with a first class honours degree in Bachelor of Civil Law.

Crean went on to complete her legal studies at King’s Inns, from where she graduated with a Barrister at Law degree, and was called to the bar in July 2011.

Crean has served on two overseas peacekeeping missions during her military career. In 2007 she served in Kosovo as part of the NATO led force and in 2014, she served as a UN Military Observer in Western Sahara. Crean has served as the administration officer in the Army Equitation School since 2008 and has continued her active involvement with horses by training young horses, hunting and recently competed at Tattersalls International Horse Trials.