Page 59 - 1RHA 2024

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Navigating the Terrain Captain G Jobbins RHA
The 1 RHA orienteering team has recently made its mark in the world of mountain racing. A team comprising of Capt Jobbins, Sgt Campbell Watson, Bdr Day, LBdr Mitchell, and Gnr Pattern participated in the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) Lite as part of a wider Royal Artillery Orienteering Team held in the picturesque, but mountainous Lake District from June 1st to 2nd, 2024.
Orienteering
Orienteering, a sport that combines navigation, endurance, and mental acuity, has become increasingly popular and has direct transferable skills into military life. The ability to traverse unfamil- iar terrain swiftly and accurately is an exceptional vehicle for both combat readiness and personal development.
Challenges Faced
The team encountered diverse challenges during their orienteer- ing journey. From dense forests to open moorlands, they navi- gated varying landscapes that included a lot of elevation with precision. Their mission: locate checkpoints, marked by orange- and-white flags, while racing against the clock to gain as many points as possible. These checkpoints conveniently were placed at the top of many of the mountainous peaks surrounding Gras- mere. The event required participants to gain as many points as possible across two days, with the first day having a 7-hour time limit and the second a 5-hour. Points would be deducted for every minute you were late back to the start line.
Results and Impact
1 RHA’s participation yielded impressive results, especially as none of the team had competed in a mountainous competition previously. The event itself draws some of the best orienteers and ultra trail/mountain runners in the country. Not only did they enhance their navigational skills, but they also experienced some type 2 fun having covered over 50km (about 31.07 mi) and 2,000 vertical metre’s in two days. The experience reinforced the impor- tance of teamwork, resilience, and mental agility while physically exhausted.
Looking Ahead
As the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery orienteering team con- tinues to evolve, this event has highlighted a strong interest in
taking part in more arduous competitions. Further participation in OMM events and other competitions attended by the Royal Artillery Orienteering team are on the horizon.
In summary, the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery’s involvement in orienteering exemplifies the commitment to excellence and adaptability.
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