The Walwa Recreation Reserve echoed to the sound of hoof beats on Monday when teams competed in the Maygar Memorial Trophy which showcases the expertise that mounted troops used in the Boer War and World Wars I and II.

The Light Horse Association was formed in 1986 by a group of Army officers who had served in the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and other interested parties who shared similar objectives to preserve the history and tradition of the Australian Light Horse.

Membership has grown steadily and there are currently more than 30 re-enactment troops in Australia including the 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray which hosted Monday’s event.

Teams from Victoria, NSW and Queensland competed in eight disciplines for the Lt. Col. Leslie Cecil Maygar Memorial Trophy culminating in the exciting Tentpegging display where troopers riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up and carry a ‘tent peg’, collapsing the enemy’s camp.

Lieutenant Colonel Maygar was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was awarded the VC for facilitating the rescue of a dismounted man while under severe rifle fire in 1902 during the Second Boer War.

Maygar had galloped out and ordered men of a detached post, which was being outflanked, to retire. The horse of one of the men was shot under him when the enemy were within 200 yards and he dismounted and lifted the man on to his own horse which bolted into boggy ground, making them both dismount. As the horse could not carry two, Maygar again put the man on its back and told him to gallop for cover at once, while he himself went on foot. All this took place under very heavy fire.

Maygar’s award was presented by Lord Kitchener and he was later mentioned in despatches.

In July 1912, he transferred to the 16th (Indi) Light Horse Regiment.

He served at Gallipoli during WWI and died of wounds after being strafed during the Battle of Beersheba as part of the Palestine campaign.

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 16 April 2026.