Horses from the South Island chapters of the NZ Mounted Rifles Association face their toughest career challenge yet: a four-hour trip across Cook Strait ahead of
appearing at the opening of the 'Featherston Camp 1915-2015' exhibition at Aratoi on Friday, and the Camp Sculpture Fundraising Luncheon in Featherston on Sunday.
'This will be the first time we've taken horses up to the North Island so it's been like a military exercise getting all the logistics in place,' says organizer and NZMR member
Terry Kingi.
Alongside the authentic WW1 reproduction tack, saddlery, and custom made uniforms for the four participating riders, Terry has packed herbal horse sedatives in case of
rough weather. 'We'll be monitoring the horses in their floats if the weather is rough and we'll have these on hand if needed.'
Sir Peter Jackson and Bluebridge Ferries have been key supporters of this trip, and donations have been received to cover fuel and accommodation for both horses and
riders.
The volunteer members continually fundraise to attend ANZAC events and A & P shows, including by selling their merchandise.
Their aim is to preserve the memory, history and memorabilia of NZ’s mounted riflemen and recognize the contribution of horses in WW1. Many, including Terry, are ex-
servicemen and have ancestors who were in the Mounted Rifles.
Terry organized the first '100 Years 100 Horses' event in North Canterbury last April, and following that success a charitable trust was formed to benefit ex-servicemen and
women and their families.
He says the horses are drilled in much the same way as they were in the 1900s to get used to crowds and go through their parade routine. Members from Twizel,
Christchurch and Kaikoura meet fortnightly to train their mounts.
There is a direct connection to the Aratoi exhibition as one of the stories told is that of English-born George William Keeble who trained Mounted Rifles at Featherston
Camp from 1915 to 1916.
'It's one thing reading about the history in a book but when you see the horses fully kitted out on parade, it really comes alive for the younger generation,' says Terry Kingi.
'There are usually a few tears shed because older people particularly relate to what they are seeing.'
Terry says he is 'over the moon' to be travelling to Wairarapa. As to what the horses think, that may depend on the weather out in the Strait. Read more about the Association
at www.nzmr.org. 'Featherston Camp 1915-2015 - A Record of a Remarkable Achievement' opens at Aratoi on 23 January.
Caption: Members of the NZ Mounted rifles Association; George William Keeble who became an instructor of Mounted Rifles at Featherston Camp.