On 25 July 2015 the Mounted troop of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organization (AWAMO) conducted a display at the Day of the Cowboy equine event in Norco California, USA.
This display was organized by Nigel Allsopp and Roy Mientjes after both members of the Australian Light Horse Association and current serving Queensland Police Officers had undertaken the Advanced California Mounted Police Officers (CMOA) course at Norco last year.
Upon their return to Queensland Roy –Secretary of the Australian Army Veterinary Corps Troop and Nigel President of AWAMO sought the help of several ALHA members and expert riders from the Outdoor Spectacular Show on the Gold Coast.
Prior to the display several rehearsals were undertaken by the team in Queensland, although two team members stationed in Perth were unable to practice until the team assembled in Norco. The team arrived at Norco on the 19 July where Nigel had arranged for 14 CMOA Police horses to be available for use.
Even though these horses by most parts had been trained in basic police equitation they were by no means used to the demands the Light Horse skills would require for the display. It is here that I must honour the skills of the riders we had selected- Josh, Peter, Chris, Laurie, Sky, Amanda, Kyle. These people are truly horsemen/women, what they were able to do with strange unknown horses 4 days prior to a major show was amazing.
These comments were echoed on the day by the Mayor or Norco, the Rodeo presenter and dozens of crowd members. One individual at the end of the show came up to me and stated he had been a horsemen for 40 years and had never seen such horsemanship skills before.
The display was part of an overall Cowboy day event starting at mid-day and ending at 22:00 hours. Other events included a 50 flag riding display team from Norco, a western shoot out, stage coach displays, several rodeo events including bull riding, roping and children’s mutton busting.
The AAVC team paraded in a mass parade of some 200 horsemen at the beginning of the show and then preformed around 1900 hours that evening. The display consisted of a tent pegging demonstration with lances, this was followed by bursting balloons held by the Mayor with sword and bayonets at full gallop.
This was followed by our State and National flag being ridden around the arena to great crowd applause, then a Roman riding demonstration with two horses that had not only never done this before but had never met. A display of fast riding and stock whip work including standing on horseback took place, then a rescue ride race, where two of our fabulous ground crew members (Ashley and Casey) were picked up at speed by two mounted horsemen.
Finally riding a horse backwards for some comic relief which then took a farewell bow. We finished the show with riding past the crowd throwing dozens of soft toys (Kangaroos and Koalas) into their waiting arms.
It was a proud day to be a Queenslander and a privilege to honour the Light Horse. I would especially like to thank Laurie Watts-Director of the ALHA who after Roy had to pull out at the last moment provided professional advice and horsemanship.
A big thank you to all the team, representing the Maroon State.
