9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0064
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
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62 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) Regimental Sport Polo and Equitation Having re-established polo as a Regimental sport on return to Germany in summer 2000 it was with enormous enthu- siasm that the Regiment entered the Equitation arena at the start of 2002. With the majority of officers away in BATUS for most of the summer the achievements were considerable field- ing a runner in the Grand Military Gold Cup and hosting a Polo tournament in Hohne. In March Lt Matt Eyre Brook became the first Regimental Officer to ride in the Grand Military Gold Cup in 7 years hav- ing enjoyed three months training at Jimmy Frost’s yard in Devon. Geoffrey Gregson kindly allowed Hidden Valley to be ridden finishing in an admirable 7th place out of 14 ahead of others considerably more experienced. It also provided for an outstanding Regimental day with the Officers’ Mess providing a tent and hosting a large number Wives, girlfriends and retired officers. With the Regiment deployed to BATUS by mid April it was left to the remaining few to get the horses fit for the polo season and re-establish links with the local German community, consoli- dating on friendships made in the previous year. Augmented throughout the season by Lt Veronica Robb of 3RHA, Herr Reidar Labukt and Major (Retired) Peter Vickery the Delhi Spearman competed at Fallingbostel, Hohne and Sennelager. Enormous support to the Regimental team was given by Mrs Jane Welborn, Mirja Pflug, Emma Paul and Andrea Higham who all contributed throughout the summer to the horses’ well being and fitness. The Regiment’s own tournament was held in Hohne over the weekend 27-28 July following four weeks of heavy rain. With the skies clearing the same morning the pitch drained almost immediately allowing play to start on time. Three German and one other Army team arrived all of Low Goal ability eager to enjoy the Hohne hospitality. The nightly pitch invasions by the wild boar that had been the plight of my predecessor were Luck/Mhere /s no offS/de ru/e m Po/o Lt EB goa/ hg/ng banished to history with a new pig fence given at great expense by the Garrison. The pitch as a result, whilst not flat, has turned out to be one of the best in BF(G). The Queen’s Royal Hussars left victorious having won impressively against the Germans. Lt Eyre Brook also played for both the RAPA and the Army Teams for the remainder of the summer. He competed success- fully in the Captains and Subalterns at Tidworth in August and then later for the Army Team again at Tidworth and at West Wycombe reaching the final on both occasions. Equitation and Polo continue to flourish albeit in increasingly uncertain times. An enthusiastic RAPA Chairman (Commanding Officer) and Secretary (Adjutant) continue to push for maximum support amongst a keen core of up and com- ing players ensuring that these traditional pursuits of Regimental life have a guaranteed filture. GDHC |
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