Page 62 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017

60 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) Royal Lancers Equestrianism
Interest in Equestrianism within the Regiment has continued to grow over the past year. We have continued to enjoy the support and tuition from the fantastic team at Hollies Riding School with a good number of beginners taking advantage of the facilities on offer.
Captain Kellard once again took part in the Royal Wessex Yeo- manry Ride on the Badminton estate. After the success he en- joyed at Sandown last season, every effort was made to find a horse capable of winning the Yeomanry race. Finding a horse capable of galloping the two and a half miles in deep ground, as well as careful enough to negotiate the totally unforgiving stone walls and hedges dotted around the course is a very tough ask. A recently retired racehorse called ‘No Secrets’ was judged to be the horse for the job, kindly hired by his owner Ollie Finnegan for the race.
As Captain Kellard mounted up before the race, everything seemed set for a good crack at winning the race. The flag dropped, and the pair led the charge down to the first fence, taken on for the lead by the previous years winner Dom Gwyn-Jones and Major Harry Wallace. The first two fences were cleared with aplomb, however, ‘No Secrets’ clearly thought he was back on a race track and started to take a very strong hold going downhill into the solid post and rails. The result was a clattering of the fence that was heard by spectators all around the course, and a desperate shift of weight by Captain Kellard to make sure they negotiated the following drop wall. Somehow, they cleared the drop and the scene of Captain Kellard’s exit from the race in the previous year.
By now, Captain Kellard was feeling comfortable and confident; the horse clearly had an engine and they had survived a scare.
Galloping across an open field towards the first of the big walls, the field looked like it was settling into a steady gallop, however, ‘No Secrets’ was trying his best to go twice the speed of everyone else. Wrestling for control, Captain Kellard pointed him into the wall and asked for a long stride to clear it. It was at this point that the moment of impending doom was felt in Captain Kellard’s mind as the horse did not take off as expected. At a fence on a racecourse, you can get away with mistakes like the one the pair were about to make, but here, the walls and hedges are ruthless. A crashing fall resulted, with the horse in second place also meeting the same fate. The doctor initially thought a broken neck might be the result for Captain Kellard who lay stricken on the floor whilst the rest of the field (including his girlfriend...) flew past and on to the rest of the course. Luckily, he was able to walk away and ‘No Secrets’ was absolutely none the worse for the fall.
The race has not held much luck for Captain Kellard over the past couple of years. Having lived to fight another day, there’s always next year! Preparations are well under way for Captain Kellard to have another crack at winning the Grand Military Gold Cup this season. After a great result last year, there is every reason to be hopeful of getting the leg up on another serious contender this time round.
The coming year holds more opportunities for competition, along with the inaugural Royal Lancers’ Spurs Course, designed at giving those who have never had an opportunity to learn to ride, an intensive introduction to the sport. Our thanks go to Home Headquarters, the Trustees, Hollies Riding Stables and The Bedale Hunt for allowing such brilliant sport to happen over the last year.
WAOK
Captain Kellard and Renard on their way to a third place finish in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup