Boot and Saddle by JG GilberdFamous Horses - Howitzer and Barbara
I have chosen these two horses as they were known to some of you and also they were the Regiment's last two horses. Both lived to a great age and were buried at Waiouru Camp. HowitzerFirstly, Howitzer. I had a special attachment to this mare as she was my instructor's hack for many years. She stood about 15.3 hands, brown in colour, a blaze on her face and four white stockings (markings) on her legs. She was well-mannered, responsive to commands and learnt all phases of military riding very quickly. She was purchased in the Marton area in 1932, was broken in by Alex Tierney at Trentham and became my instructor's hack in 1934. Some of you who passed through the Riding School at Trentham (I think it was No 5 Wing) may recall the day Howitzer 'dumped' the instructor. We were having a break after exercising in extended order in a large paddock. I was sitting crosswise in the saddle, feet out of the stirrup irons when someone flapped a signal flag. Howitzer did not see the person with the flag - only heard the noise. She reared and I hit the ground, much to recruits' amusement. Howitzer was 29 years old when she died. Her regimental number was 752. BarbaraHer regimental number was 940. A dark bay with black points - height 16 hands and joined the Regiment in 1937 as a four-year old. She was introduced to military-style riding at the School. Barbara proved to be unsuitable for team work, was tried at pack duties - finally becoming an Officers' Charger and posted to Fort Dorset. At this time it was the practice for Officers' wives and daughters to use the horses at Dorset for recreational riding. Barbara, daughter of Lt Col Standish, RNZA, was a good rider and rode her namesake quite often. Barbara outlived Howitzer, being 32 years old when she died at Waiouru in 1965. Jim Gilberd, 1989 |
