This year saw us return to Earl Mountbatten’s home for the up and coming mulit-period extravaganza that is Blast from the Past.

 

A few weeks before the event Howard (EventPlan) emailed me asking if we could do some filming with the BBC on the Friday, including having their “weather girl” in kit and up on a side-saddle.

 

A few calls later and we managed to secure all the pony bummers to attend for a Friday morning shoot. I managed to get a call with the weather girl (fortunately a competent rider) and the producer/director. In the usual style of media types they wanted to get their girl to gallop side-saddle on a horse she didn’t know and slice an orange with a sharp sabre. I guess we should take it as a compliment that people think it’s so easy – they must have seen us do it….

 

The discussion with Auntie Beeb was going well until they wanted a copy of our Public Liability Insurance. “Just so we’re clear”, I said, “your girl is doing this entirely at her own risk – we take no responsibility for her on the basis that we have neither seen her ride nor had time to train her.”

 

“Maybe we’ll leave the sabre bit out.”

 

“Yes”, says I. “Maybe we should.”

 

With that settled we made our way to Broadlands for the Thursday night to be bright and ready for the 9.30 appointment. Sticky, Ash, Bertie and Julie were all due to arrive early Friday morning so self, memsahib, Shagger and Capsize arrived for a relaxing evening. Capsize had got a new horse on the Tuesday(!) and wanted to bring him along to see how he would cope. What could possibly go wrong with all the gunfire and explosions going on? To be fair, Percy (Capsize’s new steed) used to live next door to a shoot and has quite a lot of experience under his belt so we thought it would be a good test for him and as he wasn’t going in to the arena it shouldn’t be too much for his equine brain.

 

Having settle in to our little camping area Shagger and I set off on foot into Romsey to get curry. We returned laden with delicious Indian comestibles to find the girls giggling into their wine glasses have seen off a bottle and a bit of wine. Hmmm, don’t mind us – you just enjoy yourself. The nice chaps at the restaurant had given us a couple of extra dishes (shabash!) so we set ourselves down to a veritable feast. Shagger triumphed on the drink front with his now trademarked pink fizz (he ain’t gay or owt though) and a pleasant evening was had.

 

Friday morning brought the arrival of clan Smerdon and clan Spicer well in advance of the 9.30 appointment time. We all set to cleaning boots and tack ready for our call time. Having considered the options available to us for our weather girl it was decided that due to her height our debutant Percy would be the the pony for her. Talk about baptism of fire….

 

The BBC crew arrived at 10.45 wondering how long it would take us to get ready. Don’t you just love the media?

 

Anyway, half an hour was agreed upon for us to be mounted up and we all set to getting ready. We were duly mounted on time and started warming our horses up. Now, many of us have worked with film and TV before and they are often a right royal pain in the @rse. I am pleased to say, however, that this crew were splendid. Nice people and very relaxed. What we failed to realise at the time was that the very professional cameraman, Trevor, was the Rabbi’s uncle…

 

The weather girl was mounted (fortunately not by Bertie) and was left to get used to her mounted as self, Shagger and Bertie set to pegging for the cameras. By her own admission she was not that experienced at side-saddle although she is competent astride. On a strange horse (at its first event) on a side-saddle she had no experience of with other horses galloping out she did well. Percy, being a sparky little Anlgo-Arab duly set about testing her seat with some nice spinning and general spooking. Horse and rider stayed in communion throughout though, so well done Alexis.

 

We started off pegging three abreast for the cameras (including our friends from Red Zebra and Barry James Wilson,both of whom got some superb stills) I won’t give a run by run account, but suffice to say I ran three times, carried three times and was bolted with three times! I think Nero saw a vast green space and thought he’d have a bit of a run. Fortunately I managed to smile throughout – as did everyone watching, albeit for different reasons. Bertie and Shagger did some nice crossover pegging and Shagger got to shoot the “pony’s eye view” too. Sticky and Alexis joined in for some shooting and I was plonked in front of the camera for a short interview. To my everlasting amusement Bertie and Shagger were referred to as “background” for this piece – see what happens if you don’t go to Staff College?

 

Another load of Skinner’s turned up during the afternoon, including Teejay and Nick – despite being there with Cobham’s Dragoons (chavalry) they wanted to be with us – awwww, sweet! We were also joined by the lady’s favourite, the Reverend Jenner armed appropriately with his legendary sausage. A flaw in the horse lines set up was identified in that the loos were some distance from us, much to the consternation of Lady Limehouse. Having highlighted this to Howard (who agreed we could have 2 portaloos from near the beer tent) we duly assemble a crew from our lot and our friends in Hellequin. Pete Hibbert bravely volunteered his lorry to be the designated transport for said loos and we set off in search of our quarry. Upon sight of the loos Pete remembered that his new lorry was not as tall as his old one and that we therefore couldn’t load the loos into the back. The cavalry are not to be defeated so easily though and a plan was devised that involved the loos to be strung to the back of the box and towed to our camp. Half an hour later and one of the tie up ring having been ripped off Pete’s lorry we duly settled our loos into position in the horse lines having removed the enterprising member of Hellequin that had “ridden” in one of the loos all the way down. We could have just pushed them down to the camp but that wouldn’t have been half as much fun. The incident was captured on camera phone and we await its publication on Youtube.

 

Saturday dawned with a nice easy day for us – a 2.30 show and no living history. Our arena party were superb in their set up in the allocated slot before our show and we were into the arena bang on time. A nice crowd had gathered, particularly considering there were some other very noisy show going on at the same time as us in other arenas and they proved to be as attentive and as appreciative as the Broadlands crowd last year.

 

The day’s sabre and knife work was excellent with Bertie taking a lemon on point and dealing a cabbage a fearsome blow with his kukri as a tribute to the Gurkhas.

 

The timed race followed and once more Shagger and Tilly triumphed with an excellent display of accuracy and controlled horsemanship.

 

The pegging was a splendidly fought affair with 5 runs ending with self and Shagger on level-pegging. The first peg off brought a carry apiece and went to another round. Shagger went off first and carried his peg in excellent style. The pressure was all on me as I had to carry to stay in the game and I choked with a mere one point touch. Honours to Shagger meaning that each of us had 1 victory each in the Sheikhupura Cup competition. Bingo had come up trumps by producing “peg” stickers for the lorries and we each had one to be carried them with pride.

 

The pagal gymkhana was a bit of a slightly different affair to Bateman’s as Sticky had gone back to being violent and desperate (riding astride) due to the precarious nature of the saddle and Sarason’s almost terminal fear of everything. This perceived advantage didn’t alter the quality of the race however as we enjoyed yet another thrilling chase between the teams. Slick handovers between the memsahib and Bertie put the mem in front on the teapot gallop for home but her pace was to be her undoing as coming up fast to the end she overshot the table allowing the closely following Sticky to place her teapot down first. Well done Sticky!

 

In the afternoon we were visited by Sarah Saunders-Davies, our employer for the following weekend, to talk through the arrangements. Bertie and I made a site visit to her beautiful home and came away with 3 pith helmets – thanks Sarah! We returned from Sarah’s to a delicious curry prepared by Mrs Beaton and having enjoyed a few drink we took ourselves off to Nick’s 50^th birthday party at the Lace Wars camp. An enjoyable evening was spent there and at the beer tent before we turned in for the night. However, things were afoot with Shagger, Sticky, Teejay and Nick. More anon….

 

Sunday saw another excellent crowd and another first-rate show. The bar has been raised this year and I am delighted at the whole performance and portrayal we have achieved this year. Shabash everyone.

 

I know the Reverend Jenno loves his sabre work, so he was naturally grinding his teeth as he watched the other riders ply their trade with skill once more. Grapes next year, Reverend?

 

The timed race was once again Shagger’s preserve beating Bertie by over 5 seconds – he is in real danger of a clean sweep in this new event.

 

The pegging was another thrilling affair. Shagger had lost his mojo though and fell well behind me and Bertie. We had overrun our slot on the Saturday so limited ourselves to 3 runs on the Sunday and after those runs Bertie and I looked at each other as we believed there would be another peg off. This was not to be, however, as Bertie had beaten me by 1 point. We were both mystified by this as Bertie believed he had missed his last peg. Bertie was announced as the winning and with a bemused expression took the applause of the crowd. Later, the Rev. Informed me that he believed Bertie had touched the final peg, so the victory was legitimate. Being British officers it would not be good form to argue with umpires…

 

The pagal gymkhana followed the now familiar form of a neck and neck competition. This race was so close in fact that the mem only secured her narrow victory by riding Sticky off polo fashion. It’s starting to get ugly….

 

All in all, a fantastic weekend much enjoyed with a plethora of chums. Thanks to all the regulars and great to have Lt. Col. Marsh join us. Thanks to Teejay and Nick for their help and for Greg for giving us half of his time. Thanks to Mrs Bingo for being stunt Mrs Beaton on Sunday. Nice to meet Nadeem on Sunday too – hopefully our first VCO. The ground crew were superb again and their hard work made the shows run in slick fashion. Great to see Cliff & Michelle (thanks for putting Mac’s shoe back on) and Wardy. Also a thanks to Anthony from Wyrdlight Photography and our friends at Red Zebra.

 

And so I have an evening to sit an blog our recent exploits…..

Our opening show of the year was a retunr to Bateman’s – the home of Rudyard Kipling for and event celebrating Kipling’s India.

Bateman’s is a beautiful National Trust property with house and gardens – even when we are not there it’s a fantaastic place for a day out.

As a site for doning our show’s it’s excellent – nice open flat ground, plenty of room for paddocks and an arena to any size we want!  The events we do here are organised by Dave Allan of Pike and Shot Events – a top chap and a pleasure to work for.  Also there were the 10th Essex regiment – a primarily WW1 group that were showing the life of the British Infantryman in India from the 1870s to the 1930s.  What a thoroughly nice bunch of chaps – we look forward to working with them again and special mention must be given to Chef (Hello children!) for supplying us with fantastic kofta kebabs on Sunday – delicious!

But enough of scene setting – let’s get to the action.

With the luxury of being able to leave the arena set up for the duration the ground crew (may God preserve them) had a slightly easier time of things.  We were also joined by Greg Hall a new addition for us and he proved himself to be more than up to the task and rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Captain in one weekend.  I shall leave other to judge if this was due to outstanding performance, bribery or lack of rank stars…

Saturday’s show was a genuine triumph and set a benchmark for the entire season – we also had the pleasure of having both our ladies up side saddle.

The sabre/knife work was good from everyone with a nice variety of cuts displayed.

For this year we have introduced a new element to the show – that of the timed race.  This is just for the chaps and was run by Bertie and Shagger (the latter now on the Regimental staff).  Bertie was first to go and he made an admirable stab at the course with a decent time.  There are time penalties for no taking rings on the course and Bertie missed a couple – for the final leg of the course the Union Flag must be galloped from one end of the arena to the other with the clock only stopping when the flag is place securely in the holder at the top end of the arena.  It was all to play for as Shagger set off and his pace was good.  Having hit all but one of his targets it was down to the final dash to clinch the win – excellent control of his horse brought him steadily in to the final element and he was able to thrust home (even though it was not between 6 and 8 ) to claim an admirable first win.

The first round of the Sheikhupura Cup was then run in a slightly short arena.  It’s heartening to see so many pegs carried in a tent pegging displays and the competition is fierce (but still good natured).  I was off the pace and ended up a few points behind Shagger and Bertie who finished the 5 runs on level pegging.  The peg off saw Bertie triumphand a splendid display of lance work.  So keen is the competition this year that Bingo was challenged to produce stick on “pegs” to be placed on lorries to record victories in the manner of fighter pilots.

The first pagal gymkhana race was thrilling – Sarason is still terrified by horse coming at him so Sticky had to work really hard on the handovers which may or not have resulted in a little cheating….whatever the truth of it the race was neck and neck with the lead changing several time befoer a thrilling teapot dash saw the Mem home by a nose.

In addition to our arena display we also had our living history display set up near the house.  To enliven the day for us croquet was included and proved to be a big hit; it also brought out a fiercely competitive side in Panza!  Shabahs to Tiffers for the set up and puching the LH a little further down the road – what’s next, we wonder?

Sunday’s show was just as good as Saturday’s.  More good sabre work was followed another run of the timed course – once more Shagger triumphed with steady riding (though not slow) and accurate work with lance and sabre.  Bertie was set for a good time but and excitable Mac overran him on the thrusting dummy and the laurels were Shagger’s once again.

The pegging was another thrilling display with so many pegs being taken – fortunately it was my day and I claimed victory with 5 carries out of 5. Mmmm, nice.

The pagal gymkhana on Sunday was the best yet – Sticky managed Sarason with a superb display of horsewomanship and the memsahib rode like a women possessed (Blysara going perfectly).  This led to a race with no cheating whatsoever and a lead changing a number of times as the final dash was genuinely flat out.  If we thought Saturday’s finish was close then we were wrong – Sunday’s was even closer.  The memsahib took the laurels again but what a race!

All in all, a fantastic weekend – we had a great turnout and a good laugh.  It was splendid to make some new friends there (including John with his period photography) and we are really looking forward to returning and working alongside the 19th Essex again.  Proposals for a combined mess dinner were mooted and we look forward to these plans coming to fruition.

Jai Skinner’s!

It is with great sadness that I must give you the news that a stalwart servant of the Regiment has left us.

Last night, my moustache was removed.  This was due to a long running thinning of the right hand point that got to a stage where it could no longer be sustained.

Operation “Bigger and Better” will commence shortly with the aim of filling the void on my top lip and in the hearts of ladies everywhere.

Farewell, brave friend – you will be missed.

14th July

I thought I would take this opportunity to make a note of news from the Regiment.

Due to indiscretions involving regimental badges and dress regulation Sgt. Dobie of the 9th Lancers will now be joining the Regiment as a Lieutenant not a Captain. This change comes at the request of the CO of the 9th and I hope that Mr. Dobie has learned his lesson and will not show the same casual indifference to Her Majesty’s regulations when he joins the Yellow Boys.

I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Second Lieutenant Welch to the Regiment. Mr. Welch has been involved with the Regiment for a while now and has now been appointed to us from the Indian Army Unattached List. Mr. Welch is well known in the mess and well liked by all – he will be well looked after by his brother officers, particualrly as he is put though Riding School.

Major M. J. Trevor

Commandant

1st Bengal Cavalry (Skinner’s Horse)

No, I haven’t started stalking monarchs.

With Sticky’s encouragement we decided to enter a team into the tent- pegging competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.  Having cast around the Regiment we managed to arrange our team of three consisting of self, Jenno and Shagger.  The holder of the Sheikhupura Cup declined to participate – somehting to do with rules and headgear….

With a requirement to declare by 7.30 on the Friday morning we decided to make our way to the venue on the Thursday evening.  With stabling at the show nearly £60 a night we arranged with the legendary Janet Rogers to stable ponies at Eton for the night.

The wheels came off the plan at the training weekend when a ramp pin sheared on my lorry (and the windscreen wipermotor died on the one weekend we had monsoon rains).  But it takes more than this to stop the Yellow Boys.  Shagger generously offered to collect me and Nero and the show was back on the road.

However, dark clouds were on the horizon as Jenno’s Puds had come up lame a week before the event.  A decision was made to bring her along to Windsor and make a judgement call on that morning.

We all convenved at Janet’s on the Thursday night (self, Jenno, Shagger and Capsize “super-groom” Karin) and we merrily set off into Eton Wicke in search of food and liquid enjoyment.  Having been pointed in the direction of a pub doing the world’s best sandwiches we set off into the wilds.  Having walked about 3 miles, found three pubs not doing food and two restaurants that we closed we ended up in Eton (the other direction from our first foray) in the Henry VI.  Nice meal and a couple of drinks then off to bed.

An early start (and superb stable management by Capsize) and we were off to HM’s garden.  Having set up and had loads of chums and helpers arrive the moment of truth for Puds came.  We all watched as Jenno trotted her up.  He didn;t even need to look around to know she was quite lame.  Decision made – no competition for Jenno and Puds.  We were all gutted for them but the most disappointed by far was Jenno.  We considered getting him another horse but his heart wasn’t in it and he withdrew from the individuals and we withdrew the team.

This was our first experience of competition peggin and it was very informative to see it in action.  We quickly got a handle on how it would go and nearly re-entered the team event by adding Mike Smith.  Mike wanted to preserve his horse a bit so declined to join but did his practice run with us.

A short arena made it a bit slower than we would have liked but pegs were hit and points were scored – qualification was 21 points and better.  I scored 17, Graham 14 and Gary (Film & TV horses) 13.  Plastic pegs proved a challenge (they don’t stay on the lance well) but we put in a good showing and certainly acquired a taste for more competitions.

Shabash to all involved – Sticky for organising, Shagger for emergency transport particularly.

More Skinner’s teams will be entered next year!

Fat Kipling

Have been silent for sometime and considering the monumental task of recounting our Indian adventure I decided the best way for people to get the full story is not through blogging but through buying me drink.  Anyone who wants to be regaled with tales starting “When I was in India….” may collar me at the bar and ply me with chota-pegs.

And so to an announcement – I am very pleased to announce the promotion to Captain of the long serving Sgt. Dobie of the 9th Lancers and his transfer to the Skinner’s Horse.  Welcome Captain Dobie.

We have a training/social weekend coming up which I am very much looking forward to – those that can’t make it will be sorely missed.

Following that, Skinner’s is putting in a tent pegging team at Royal Windsor, consisting of myself, Graham and Jenno.  We will do our best to give good account of ourselves.  Photos and reports to follow.

Yours

Fat Kipling

The preliminary prepartions for the wedding had been fraught with challenges and with a coupleof weeks until the big day we still didn’t have the church confirmed.  This wasn’t due to lack of planning but the unique difficulties of dealing with a vicar fast approach 90 and who at one point thought as I was representitive of the Archbishop of Canterbury.  That said, when I left home on my way to meet Bertram I felt that it was all pretty much under control.

Bertie and Julie had organised to have a day out in Windsor the day of my (and Bertie’s) flight.  We were going ahead of the rest as we originally hoped to visit the regiment (a trip not for womens) but this turned out not to be possible due to a full regimental exercise.  Bertie had suggested meeting at a services near the aiport where Julie could hand him over and then she could make her way down to Cornwall for Alice’s little adventure.

We met at the duly alloted time and Julie handed over Bertie and his luggage in the best cold war style.  I’m sure I should have exchanged either money or another poor unfortunate but I got away without having to part with anything in exchanged for a well padded Devonian and three large bags.  Bertie had been suffering with the thought of leaving his darling daughter in Blighty while he jetted off to the Raj but he shouldered his burden manfully and we set off to the car park at Heathers.

Having done a fair amount of international travel I had dressed for a long flight in comfortable short – a choice which was questioned by both my core body temperatureand and incredulous Bertam.  Nonetheless, we checked in ready for the off only to find our flight delayed by two hours.  Ho hum, but it’s only two hours thought we and headed off air side.  A quick round of the duty free (I needed a new watch and Bertie wanted another book on Freemason conspiracy theories) saw our moustaches draw the first of what turned out to be many compliments on the tour.  The most appreciative of the comments at this time came from some Australian surfer dudes.  These dreadlocked and flip-flop shod gentleman thought they were both superb “mo’s” and erroniously decided that Berties was best.  I think they might have been gay.

An uneventful flight saw us arrive in Delhi the following morning for Bertie’s first taste of the East.  We were met at the aiport by our fixer, Hardeep, and we located our driver after a trip through the new aiport terminal.  Little did I know that this new terminal would loom large in the destiny of this escapade.  Bertie got his first look at Delhi traffic and as a professional driver himself could not quite belive what he saw.  Until  that moring I’d never seen Bertie look bemused and terrified at the same time but was treated to this vision for the first of many occasions.

I don’t intend to give you a blow by blow account of our 3 days, but suffuce to say we enjoyed our time indulging in good food (particularly Park Balochi near Haus Kaas), polo (we managed to catch the semi -finals of the India Open) and went up to India Gate where we found the names of the fallen of Skinner’s Horse among the unfortunate others of previous gallant generations.  I suggested to Bertie that I show hime the regimental church in advance of the wedding so he can take in all the particulars of the splendid building and contents.  It was there we stumbled on the illustrious Mrs. Paul who looks after the church who was relieved I had turned up as the church staff really had no idea about what was needed or requred for the wedding.  She called Sunil who had been put in charge of everything and a meeting was arranged for the following day.  Bertie manfully dealt with being in a church without bursting into flame.  Having had the meeting with the church team I was then left with fullconfidence in the arrangements.  the flowers were sorted; so too the hymns; they were to organise a photographer for us and also some refreshments for after the service.  Marvellous – I could relax now; everything was sorted.  I did joke with Mrs. Paul that if the bride didn’t show up that she would have to come down the aisle with me instead.

The only fly in the ointment was that I couldn’t find the cash I had got (in US dollars) to pay for the church, but having texted the Mem she duly found it in my study (doh!) and packed it for her forthcoming journey.  I had a quick exchange of communication with the Mem as she was heading off to the airport and retired to bed full of Murad’s whiskey and happy thought of my bride’s arrival the following morning…..

It’s been a couple of weeks now since we returned from our Indian Odyssey and it’s now time I shared that experience with the world.  Over the coming weeks I will share this epic in installments so please stay tuned!

As promised, I’ll use the blog for a show summary of Weald & Downland.

Firstly – a huge thank you to Clifford of Africa for coming out and sticking a shoe on my pony at stupid o’clock.

Firstly, thanks to all for being accomadating about space for tents, ponies, lorries and trailers.  I had no idea that all the stuff would be in one place.  Nor did I know that we would have all the carriages and (impressive) fire engine next door!  Despite this I think it worked well for the living history.  Having it placed where it ended up was a good spot for us and it looked great.  I don’t think we got any specific LH shots of us but Mark’s dad managed to get some good ones which I think we can use.  Well done Mark & Tiffers for the tent set-up.

A sterling effort from Julie on the catering front as usual, ably supported by the Mem and Tiffers when she was struck down with appendicitis.  Not that I’m competitive in any way, but I was first to diagnose – do I get a medal?  Having now been under the knife we all wish Mrs Beaton a speedy recovery if only to ensure that Bertie isn’t left to his devices for too long….Special mention to Andy H for doing the quartermaster’s run too.

We managed to tuck away a fair amount of drink on Friday – mostly coutesy of Panza (who is not double-jointed apparently) and the Mem – both of whom awoke on Saturday with a righteous headache.

Saturday morning saw the LH camp completed and ponies scrubbed (Sticky gets the prize for having the shiniest pony) and the doors were open at 10.30.  Bertie will be required to bring his groom to all show next year so he doesn’t have to clean kit on the day.  Failing that, we will withdraw his subscription to the Hitler Channel so he can use the scant free time he has at home to polish things.

Too much lush grass in the arena made it slippy under foot and one of the heavies wnet down on its knees in the morning.  We all therefore took it at a sensible pace and everyone walked away at the end of our show, although each pony slipped during the show.  The pegging was fun but once more Bertie showed us the way by top scoring.  I am now regretting teaching him the proper technique.  Still, my moustache is better.

The gymkhana race was splendid, and although taken a bit slower than normal saw a thrilling finish with Sticky riding the mem off on the teapot dash!  Shabash….oh, sorry dear.  A great finish though.   The ground crew machine worked like clockwork but I didnlt feel that the commentary flowed particularly well so I was delighted when Sue, the Event Organiser collared me During Pat The Pony to say the show was fantastic.  Well done to “Calamity” Jane on riding at her first event – Tom was all ready to join in at one point and will get his chance next year.

Saturday night saw us have the opportunity to have a little surprise party for Bingo’s 41st birthday.  Hair like that at 41 – it makes you wonder what happened to National Service….but congratd, Bingo and thanks for all your efforts in you first year with the regiment.

Being woken up by rain on the lorry at a show is never a good thing, but particularly ominous on Sunday due to the slippery nature of the ground already.  Having been put out of contention for the Sheikhupura trophy by Bertie on the Saturday I thought it best to withdraw from the pegging on grounds of safety.  The sabre display was top notch with everyone doing well, although Bertie’s cabbage on point on Saturday was spectacular (not medal-worthy though).

I was a little worried that the pegging may be a bit flat due to speed restrictions but I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Splendid display from Bertie and Shagger and a thrilling peg-off finish.  Shabash to Bertram on claiming the Sheikhupura Trophy and also to Shagger for a consistently good performance this season.

Another good race under tricky conditions saw the mem nick it, but Sticky finishes with more wins in the season – should she be penalised for using more than one horse?!?

We had our fair share of drama with Julie being hospitalised but we got through it all (damned drummers included) and had a splendid weekend.

And so the season is done.  Thanks to you all for making it a great year – to all the ground bounders particularly for keeping the pony nonsense going in the arena and also for adding real depth and spectacle to our offering.  Looking forward to next year!

We will be having the Raising Day Dinner again around the 23rd of Feb but it has been suggested that we also have a less formal get together to celebrate the end of the season – what does everyone think?  Maybe do it up in Essex to make life easier on Bertie and Julie for once?  Anyway, let me have your thoughts.

Keep checking in here – I shall be putting up more nonsense during the off season.  We have lots of interest in our services for next year and we can introduce some more stuff to our existing format so I hope we’ll have even more fun next year.

Namaste

Il Duce

6th September

And so we are done.  The hectic round of regimental days is over and we now return to full time soldiering.  I think we shall all miss the thrill and spectacle of the gymkhana and will think of it often as we are attending evening stables, running musket drill or putting another batch of recruits through riding school.  It will be a long winter….

But enough of melancholic thoughts – one must articulate the glory of our final outing for the year.  This last event saw us far south of Rawalpindi in a remote area called Poorvi Soosaks.  Expecting to find an extensive gymkhana field we were all somewhat surprised to find the regiment’s horse lines placed among the farmer’s buffalo in a clearing surrounded by jungle.  As you may imagine, this proved to be quite a distraction to some of our horses and I swear a tiger came close once or twice if Blysara’s reaction is anothing to go by.  Poorvi Soosaks is a curious backwater and it is interesting to note that their is a propensity for the locals to bang drums day and night without any of the rythm or grace of the drummers of Rajasthan, thus frightening the horses - I could have gladly set about the badmashes but that would have only created an unsightly tamasha amongst these uneducated peasants.

The first days sport was keen, but the quality of the sabre work was not of the usual standard.  Sgt. Dobie had returned from his time at sea (obviously refreshed) but didn’t really get into his stride.  We were joined by Mrs. Davison (an admirer of the Reverend Jenner) and upon finding the Reverend away ministering to his flock instead of her chose not to participate in the gymkhana and merely rode around with her mind elsewhere.

The tent pegging was keenly contested between myself, Sgt. Dobie and Capt. Smerdon.  At the beginning of the day any one of us could secure the Sheikhupura Trophy by the end of the weekend but it need one of  the Skinner’s Horse officers to win the Saturday to keep the competition alive.  Sgt. Dobie must still have his sea legs as he trailed in third and Capt. Smerdon pipped me to the win (a note to the Adjutant cancelling his furlough is probably appropriate).  With a victory for Capt. Smerdon, the race for the Trophy was now between two riders.

The pagal gymkhana was a spirited afair and although riders took it a little steady due to slippery ground it was a thrills and spills race that saw the lead change several times.  The final dash saw Miss Wright ridden off by Miss Spicer so that she could place the teapot – Mr. Welch, despite being in Miss Spicer’s ‘corner’ cried foul, but the rules of the gymkhana permit such antics (if it’s alright for the polo field than surely it’s acceptable?) and the result stood.  No doubt I shall not hear the end of it from Miss Wright on our evening promenades.  Speaking of Miss Wright, her father and two of her sisters joined our party for the day.  Whilst Mr. Wright is an obviously respectable man of independent means there is something of the box-wallah about him in his use of language….

More unseasonal rain made the gymkhana field treacherous for Sunday’s event and I took the decision to preserve my charger now that I was no longer in the running for the tent pegging.  Sunday’s sabre work was a marked improvement on the day before with all riders acquitting themselves admirably.

The tent pegging was a straight run off between Capt. Smerdon and Sgt. Dobie.  Capt. Smerdon needed to win in order to force a peg-off.  With an eye on the ground and horses slipping our riders entered the fray.  Capt. Smerdon took an early lead with a carry whilst Sgt. Dobie missed his first peg.  Sgt. Dobie fought back valiantly but Smerdon’s nerve held and he emerged victorious setting up a peg-off for the trophy.  The crowd were thrilled by the spectacle and eargerly awaited the final outcome.  Having been the leader of the competition entering the final day Sgt. Dobie was allowed to decide to go first or second.  Seizing the chance to put pressure on his opponent he chose to ride first and to the shock of everyone missed the peg!  It was now Smerdon’s for the taking – all he needed was a touch, but this time his nerve failed too and he missed!  It was all back on as Sgt. Dobie took his next run.  Taking care on the poor ground he held his horse (anrare occurance according to the officers of the 9th) but dropped his lance too early then made his play too late!  Capt. Smerdon was back in with a clear chance.  Similarly holding his horse back due to the conditions he held his technique well and drew the peg claiming 2 points, victory and the Sheikhupra Trophy.  Shabash for your pegging Captain, but lajja on you for the state of your belt work.

The season’s final race was also a thriller – as had happened the day before the lead changed several times during the race but smooth changeovers for Smerdon and Miss Wright saw a galloping arab bring the teapot home first with Miss Spicer in hot pursuit.  Not used to losing Miss Spicer exhibited some petulance by exchanging the teapots in a less then ladylike fashion but I’m sure Mr Welch took her to task over this.

And so we conclude our season of gymkhanas – it has shown the prowess of the Indian Army, the elgance and splendour of the Sahib-log.  We have thrilled crowds and won laurels and found a new champion to hold the Sheikhupura trophy (and we’ll hear no ending of it in the mess all winter).

And so to winter quarters where we will look well to our horses that have served us so faithfully – shukriya, ghori bahaadur.

I must now set my pen down to start organising the regiment for the winter – no gymkhanas but plenty of action to come.  More entries to follow shortly…..

Major M. J. Trevor

Commandant

1st Bengal Cavalry (Skinner’s Horse)