Page 339 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
came out in the afternoon. It was equally interesting to listen to ‘tails’ from by-gone days with some of the ex-employees of the Melton camp.53
The Courage of Dogs Celebrated in Melton Mow- bray54
A bronze sculpture which celebrates the courage and dedication of military working dogs and their handlers, trained in Melton, has been unveiled in the town. The statue of a German Shepherd, made by renowned sculpture Lloyd le Blanc, who owns a foundry near Melton, has taken centre stage in the heritage and community garden at Melton Council’s Parkside offices on Burton Street.
The sculpture, which was first envisaged by Dinah Rudman of Melton Civic Society, is one of three which Melton Council wants to be installed outside its offices to recognise the military dogs which have been trained at Melton’s Defence Animal Centre (DAC) since 1946; the other two will be a Labrador and a Springer Spaniel. Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton, unveiled the statue on Monday, joined by the Melton Mayor Marilyn Gordon, leader of Melton Council Byron Rhodes, and representatives from the DAC, plus councillors, community groups and other distinguished guests. The CO of the DAC, said: “The sculpture is a truly amazing celebration of the German Shepherd who is the father of the working dogs.” Councillor Rhodes said. “Among other things, the sculpture recognises that a number of working dogs from Melton have been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for gallantry, recognised as the animals’ Victoria Cross.” A fundraising appeal launched by the council, DAC, Civic Society and Melton in Bloom paid for the statue, which cost £8,540.
2016... DAC – Royal Tournament
There are few perks left in the military where sports men and women can demonstrate to the Great British Public how proud we are to be part of a unique fighting force and the depth of skills which can be found amongst these elite men and women. However, one of these perks can be found in a sphere directly linked to the RAVC – Equitation.
With five hundred and ten Military Working Horses in the Army, carrying out roles from Ceremonial work in London to training new HCMR (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) and KTRHA (King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery) instructors at the DAC, it is no wonder that we have some elite riders in our midst.
Every year, the Royal Tournament is held at the DAC. This is a three-day competition with classes catering from the grass roots (fences up to one metre) of the sport up to the competitive level where the horse and
rider teams have to jump up to 1.20 metre (shoulder height for the average man). Classes are held on each day for both the seniors and junior riders and the points accumulated over those three-days produce the junior and senior show champion. Prizes are kindly sponsored by various different organisations ranging from the international ..... to local business such as Style Equitation. The top eight senior riders are then selected to represent the Military at the world renowned Royal International Olympia Horse Show.
For those of us who dreamed of having horses from an early age and watched famous riders clear the Puissance wall (the equine equivalent of a high jump competition at 2m 40) in front of cheering crowds, riding at such an acclaimed show was just a glimmer of hope in the sky. However, the military is able to reward some of its top serving riders, both Regular and Reserve, and make those childhood dreams come true. The top eight riders from the Royal Tournament compete at the start of an Evening Performance in the Military Services Show Jumping Championships.
The RAVC, although small in comparison to the larger Corps and Regiments, had two of the eight riders repre- senting Capt Caz Bullard, VO DAC and LCpl Griffiths, Dog Trainer, 104 Sqn 1 MWD Regt. Both were jumping horses produced by themselves; a small reward for the hours of behind the scenes work needed to maintain a horse at this level. Travelling down to London together for moral support and to avoid the £300 emissions charge, provided some light relief and entertaining driving as London drivers definitely don’t realise that 1.5 tonne of horse doesn’t have the same braking distance as a normal car. However, the precious cargo arrived safely and we proceeded to unload, a surreal feeling when you are used to the abundance of green up in Melton Mowbray. However, both horses coped well with the pressure and stabled up opposite to “Uthopia” and “Nip Tuck” – Carl Hester’s Olympic gold medal winning horse and show champion – one of the first of many surreal moments.
Before too long the course was built, walked, humans dressed in Blues and FAD and the horses gleaming and warming up. The competition is two rounds of show jumping against the clock over 1.10m – 1.15m. The feeling you have when your name is called, you ride through the entrance tunnel for the first time into a silhouetted arena in front of a thousand people cannot be described. But after the first round, LCpl Griffiths was 5th, whilst Capt Caz Bullard was in the unusual position of leading. This, sadly, was only short lived as her horse came back with multi-coloured hooves after knocking a pole off in the second round. In the end, 2nd Lt Lambert, RAMC, deservedly won, with Capt Bullard
53 ‘DAC Open Day VTS’ Chiron Calling Autumn/Winter 2014.
54 ‘The Courage of Dogs Celebrated in Melton Mowbray’ Chiron Calling Spring/Summer 2014.
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