A Light Horse Brigade passes through Numurkah’s Melville St for the town’s 150-year celebration recently.
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Owen Sinclair
Several Light Horse enthusiasts will mount their noble steeds and head not into battle, but into another epic challenge for the ages next month.
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Riders will depart Shepparton on horseback from the Queen’s Gardens’ Sir Murray Bourchier memorial statue for a 750km trek on March 4.
The six-week trek, consisting of two distinct legs, will commemorate the birth and death of one of Australia’s most decorated army generals, Sir Harry Chauvel.
The Old Corryong to Tallangatta Coach with Tom Berrigan as the driver. The inscription on the back of the photograph reads: “Hirsute gentlemen in the picture — their supreme ugliness compelled me to stop the coach and give the camera a job.”
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March 4 marks the 80th anniversary of Chauvel’s death.
After making their way from Shepparton to Harden in NSW along minor roads for the first leg, the party will make its way back to Tallangatta in Victoria to complete the second and final leg.
On April 16 — the 160th anniversary of Chauvel’s birthday in 1865 — riders will congregate at the memorial of the war horse named Sandy, the only Australian horse to return home from World War I.
The Welcome Hotel at Koetong.
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During the ride that pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Australian Light Horse regiments, the itinerary will include all the Light Horse statues, silo art sites, schools and RSLs along the way.
Tallangatta’s Sandy the War Horse Committee president Ross Smith, who has experience in trail riding and camp draft, has already done a reconnaissance along part of the route from Bullioh to Koetong.
“We are currently preparing for the ride but nearly every day something changes,” Mr Smith said.
“We have been gathering more support recently which has been great. The councils along the route have been very supportive of the ride, as have many schools.
“We are also partnering with Soldier On, which provides support for veterans and their families.”
The old road from Tallangatta to Corryong.
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Renowned endurance rider Pat Leary, from the Wagga area, will lead the troop throughout the ride while Mr Smith expects to complete around three-quarters of the trek between visits to RSL branches and schools.
All are welcome to attend Shepparton RSL’s service at Shepparton’s Queen’s Gardens at 11am on March 4 before the troop embarks on its journey.
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