Tag: Bugsy

Training

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As did the Yeomanry regiments of yesteryear, our Group puts great store in training.

Think of the 8 P’s – Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Pathetic Performance!

Our training encompasses not only the horse and rider combination but also ground crew.

People who are our ground crew are essential for training days, shows and demonstrations. Nothing can realistically happen without them. It is not enough to enlist someone off the street for the day. The people on the ground need to know what is happening. This helps to keep not only them (personally) safe but also the public and the horses and riders. It also enhances performance and presentation.

Our training encompasses general riding skills (i.e. flatwork, grid work, jumping, etc.) as well as the skills required in order to safely perform the many disciplines that fall within the general term of ‘mounted skill-at-arms’.

We work with owner/riders. It is very difficult to train a rider in the many disciplines that are necessary to be part of our group if they do not own and ride their own horse regularly as they are unable to go home and practice. To train a horse that does not get consistent work from one rider is not as satisfactory as working with a horse that is in private ownership.

Our training is carried out in Sussex by people who are knowledgeable and experienced horsemen/women. They are also knowledgeable and experienced in the safe handling of various weapons on horseback and the disciplines that involve the use of such weapons.

Over a period of time we will add further photos and articles to this section that will cover different aspects of our training. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please make contact with us.

Bugsy

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Bugsy, owned by Helen, is a 18 year old registered Irish Draught Grey Gelding. Sired by Grosvenor Lad, he was brought to the UK from Ireland as a foal. At 16:3hh he is big for skill at arms, but in fact the Irish Draught was a breed that evolved to service the requirements of the British Army.

In 1914 the Irish Draught specification for a horse to be accepted into the studbook, required the horse to be able to take a soldier and all his field kit, ridden hard all day, Including at gallop. Roughly this meant being able to carry 21st all day.

Bugsy was new to skill at arms and had his first season being ridden at the Battle Proms in 2014 but he has been ridden at battle re-enactments and attended Waterloo in 2015. Bugsy has also had a very successful competition career – as an event horse, in affiliated dressage competitions and endurance rides.