Mullins to retire as Army show jumping chief
The revelation was made last night by Lt Col Mullins, who said he made the decision after a medical check-up late last year prompted his doctor to recommend a radical change in lifestyle.
Last night, Lt Col Mullins, 50, said he was sad to be leaving the army, having joined in 1971 and entered McKee Barracks in 1973.
"I am taking this decision with great regret, but the truth is that years of almost continuous international duty, involving as they did a great deal of travel and training, allowed me very little personal time during the season, and this was one of the factors that forced me to take a close look at changing my lifestyle. I was told it was important that I be able to have time to myself if I wanted," he said.
The former show jumping great denied his retirement was as a result of the recent controversy surrounding the appointment of an Olympic trainer to Ireland's show jumping team. The original choice, he was subsequently replaced by Eddie Macken, following representations by a number of the senior riders.
"I can categorically say my decision has nothing to do with the trainer controversy," said Lt Col Mullins, who will step down on April 15.
The army is expected to announce his successor in the next few weeks.
Lt Col Mullins is expected to continue operating as chef d'equipe to the senior show jumping team whenever required by the international selectors.
He also confirmed he would continue in his coaching duties.
By the time he had retired from international competition in 1997, the Limerick man had represented Ireland on 50 Nations Cup teams and had racked up over 100 international wins. He represented Ireland in show jumping at two Olympic Games (1984, 1988) and was fourth in the 1982 World Show Jumping Championships.
He lives in Kildare and is married to Fiona and has three children.
