Light Horse
#Phoebus #Light Horse #Kings Horses
Many years ago in the Bega district, I was part of a Light Horse Troop (Monaro, NSW). Once again, I’m wearing the uniform, this time as a member of the newly formed Ballan Light Horse Troop.
I think it was in 1997 that I rode with the Monaro Light Horse Troop in the Anzac Day parade in Bega. I rode my American Saddlebred stallion Demon (Tintalle Golden Demon) on that ocasion. We also rode in a parade at Bemboka, the occasion I can’t recall, but there were mobile steam engines and streamers across the road which my green mare wasn’t entirely sure about but coped ok. She was the American Saddlebred mare Amy (Canyonleigh Miss America), and it was her first time in a parade. Anyway, I digress, I was going to talk about Light Horse stuff!
It appears that this troop no longer exists, and was superceded by the Bemboka 7th Light Horse Troop. I recall that we used the patches of the 7th Light Horse Regiment as well.
Fast forward 27 years ….. poooofff…!
The Ballarat area used to have a troop, the Creswick Light Horse, which was started in 1995 but disbanded in 2021 due to covid.
In early 2024, a friend suggested forming a new troop after talks with the Ballan RSL. We applied for a community grant through the Moorabool Shire Council, which we won. Our equestrian reenactement group - The King’s Horses matched some of the funding and we set out on a journey of procuring uniforms, equipment and horse gear.
We were able to obtain uniforms, bandoliers, gaiters and hats from Creswick RSL, who generously allowed us to rummage through their collection (left from the disbanded Creswick LH troop) and try on clothing and pick what we needed in exchange for a donation. We bought the remaining items from two suppliers of reproduction military items. And last but not least, we made the decision to make our own bridles and breastplates rather than purchasing those items, and bought leather at the local Greenhalgh Tannery and correct brass buckles and fittings from Lefflers in Melbourne.
From private fund we purchased a couple of saddles, some bits and a few other items. I still had the headstall from an original bridle, the same I had used on Demon many years ago, which was useful as a pattern for making bridles. So over many evening sessions, we did research, measured up, cut up the hide, punched holes and sewed up the necessary items. As avid crafters, we already had all the tools for the job and the know-how on how to do a neat job. In addition to bridles, we also made some girths, stirrup leathers, spur straps and surcingles where we didn’t already have them. We also bought hemp rope for leadropes and spliced them onto brass rings.
I had one test ride with all the gear on Phoebus. He is used to a curb bit, so the military pelham was no issue for him and the UP swivel tree saddle fits him perfectly.
In mid October we were ready for a photo session for the Moorabool Shire, and we were joined by a representative from the Ballan RSL. We have an appointment in Ballan for Remembrance Day, and another from Anzac Day, which we are looking forward to.
We are wearing the patches of the 13th Light Horse Regiment.
To find out more about the Ballan Light Horse Troop, please visit our Facebook group.
