Page 64 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017
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62 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) The Melton Hunt Club Ride
 The Melton Hunt Club Ride was formed in 1955 and alternately takes place in Quorn, Cottesmore, and Belvoir country and always within ten miles of Melton. The course is tradi- tionally a formidable six miles across broken and unprepared country. ‘Course’ is a misnomer; in the style of a point to point, there are several markers to achieve. Other than that, your courage dictates your course.
Of 40-50 starters in a mass start, on average only 25 finish. It is an ad- mirable attrition rate. Major Regi- nald Purbrick MBE, riding ‘Shannon Prince’, won the race in 1977. He re- counts the story very well of the pre- vious year where the winner, Andrew Collie of Launde, rode past his own father lying the far side of a hedge, “quite dead.”
Thus, when I was offered a horse
whilst back on a week of rest and recu-
peration from Operation SHADER in
November, I rashly agreed to defend
the title of First Line Cavalryman
Cup (some readers may draw issue
with ‘line cavalry’ – I urge you not to
take this up with the organisers, it will rob us of a very valuable niche!).
The hour dawned, and the sun blazed across the damp fields. Each of the steeds in the impatient swirling mass of awaiting rid-
ers knew what awaited them. Girths were plucked by sweaty fingered jock- eys; pedals were notched another hole. The flag fell and 43 riders charged as a phalanx of flashing hooves. Nine riders bought it before the fifth hedge, three wallowing atop a hedge from too bold a line. Plunging past Sauvey cas- tle through the woods, further horses catapulted over the uprights and rid- ers were swept-off by low hanging branches.
With many being brought to a stand- still by the rolling hills of Cottes- more’s finest Tuesday hunting, only a few remained in the race. I passed two steeds and riders sprawled and flailing in a quagmire and was passed only minutes later by the same. Flanks heaving, sweat pouring, steed and I plunged through the final hedge in what can only be described as a tripple rather than a canter, or any other rec- ognised equestrian gait. We stumbled to a placed position but, once again, The First Line Cavalry Cup has the words ‘Royal Lancers’ emblazoned on it!
The Melton Hunt Club organisers extend an invitation to all other serving Lancer officers, indeed, any other officers from the broader Cavalry, to take part in the ride in November this year.
AJP
  Swimming pools – cooking pots of verrucae, loose plasters and urine – but also the sight of great success over the last year for The Royal Lancers’ Swimming and Water Polo
teams. The first plunge came at Catterick Pool for the UK North Swimming Championships 2017. For the first time the Regiment had both a male and female team competing (thanks to a little help from the Royal Dragoon Guards’ SPS Detachment). Stand out performances from Corporal Wise- man (C Squadron) and Staff Sergeant O’Hara (Headquarters Squadron) ensured the ladies team came in a respectable fourth place. Corporal Bailey (A Squadron), Lance Corporal Bridge (B Squadron) and, of course, Trooper Potter ‘The Ot- ter’ (D Squadron) put in strong performances to ensure the male team placed third.
In May, the RSWO, Mr. Turril swam the distance of the Eng- lish Channel in an event for the charity Mitochondrial Dis- ease, The Abel Foundation. Over just seven days Mr. Turrill swam a total of 22 miles – the equivalent of five kilometres a day or 220 lengths of a 25 metre pool. As if the distance was not enough of a challenge, Mr. T (as he is known around the Command Troop hangar) wore a t-shirt throughout to increase his drag coefficient. An excellent achievement for a great cause – well done Mr T!
The 2017 UK North Water Polo Championships saw the Regimental team return to the battle-ground of Catterick Swimming Pool once more. ‘The Otter’, ably supported by Sergeant Martin (Headquarters Squadron), led out a team desperate to improve on last year’s disappointing fourth place. Gallant efforts by the entire team ensured that The Royal Lancers came away as UK North Champions! Buoyed by this success, the team travelled to Aldershot for the Army Inter-Unit Water Polo Championships. More strong perfor- mances followed and the team placed a commendable fifth position.
So, what can we expect from 2018? Operation TOSCA pre- sents an awesome opportunity to train and compete. As the Sector 2 UK Roulement Regiment, The Royal Lancers will have its own pool at Wolseley Barracks, so there will be no excuses not to train. Trooper Potter will be using his contacts from the Army Water Polo scene to setup matches against other units and local Cypriot teams. Objectives for 2018 – competitive teams at both the Army Inter-Unit Water Polo and Swimming Championships. Wish us luck!
ARH
Swimming and Water Polo












































































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