The 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray Troop inaugural training day on Sunday at Tintaldra was a mixture of professional instruction and the sheer enjoyment and enthusiasm of participants.
Professional tent pegging judge, Terry Phillips, provided tent pegging and skill at arms instruction while Keith Sheather from Adelong set the tone for the training day in his beautifully maintained great-uncle’s Light Horse uniform and his horse Clancy.
When conversation turned to colour patches for his tunic, Keith admitted to riding with many Light Horse troops, such is his enthusiasm for ensuring their traditions flow strongly in communities throughout the Upper Murray, Snowy Valleys, the Riverina and beyond.
Colour was added to the scene at Tintaldra when Daffy delivered a lance on her motorbike. A can-do attitude is an acknowledged quality of country life and an unspoken pride in making things work is central to Light Horse tradition.
With one of this spring’s strongest winds ripping the last of the autumn leaves from the surrounding trees and swirling them around the recreation reserve, conditions weren’t easy for the riders.
For competent horsewomen – ALHA Director Kim Winter riding Banjo and Jamie Fraser on her horse Jack – the wind just added to the spirit of the event.
It reminded some of their pony club days when they had dedicated instructors, some of whom had trained as Light Horsemen before WWII only to find that they had to adapt to service in a rapidly mechanising army.
Those men were adaptable and always worked calmly with horses, highlighting the invaluable and respectful friendship between riders and mounts. Conversation among the ‘senior’ spectators was an added bonus to the event.
Master farrier, Miles Hodge, was on hand to advise on hoof care and safety.
Miles has ridden with the brumbies, mustered cattle from the hills and shod horses all over the world and also told stories of his experiences shoeing horses in Buckingham Palace stables to working with horses of the Household Cavalry in Knightsbridge Barracks in London. He has also been to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He’s done this all on a Churchill Fellowship before bringing his expertise back to the Upper Murray.
He keeps his light buried under a bushel and his stories flow like pure gold – a unique memory added to a standout event.
The 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray Troop inaugural training day might have been a small gathering but it shows Light Horse Spirit rekindling in the Upper Murray.
Kim and Jamie are looking forward to attending commemorative events in the Upper Murray once they receive their uniforms and saddles.
Anyone who attended the Indi Upper Murray Light Horse Training Day at Tintaldra would agree that the event was a testament to the saying that ‘out of small things, big things grow!’
A High Country Bivouac is planned for the weekend of 14th and 15th December, 2024. Plans for a farrier’s clinic and drill training are still to be confirmed.
For further information about the Upper Murray troop contact Kim Winter via email at kimtinpot@ gmail.com
Related story: Light Horse rides again.
This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 5 September 2024.
