Military Equitation Competition - LCpl Inèz Schilbach
Lance Corporal (LCpl) Inez Schilbach, 14 years, from Surrey Army Cadet Force’s Chobham Detachment won first place at this year’s Cadet Forces Military Equitation Competition held in Windsor Great Park.
The event which was sponsored by the Honourable Artillery Company and Macbeth Insurance Brokers was open to eligible serving cadets from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force, Combined Cadet Forces and RAF cadets to see how they would adapt to riding an unfamiliar horse and their ability to deal with any horse issues that could arise.
The names of the horses were randomly selected and LCpl Schilbach was paired with Beyoncè, a 16.1 hands operational horse that is used as part of the Light Cavalry, a ceremonial unit within the Honourable Artillery Company which comprises of two troops; one mounted and one dismounted. Since 1861 the Light Cavalry has provided the mounted travelling escort to the carriage of the incoming and outgoing Lady Mayoress or Consort at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London for which Beyoncé has taken part in several times.
The cadets rode military routines under instruction from the Squadron Equitation Instructor of the Life Guards section of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the most senior regiment of the British Army. They were closely assessed for their riding position, affinity with their horse, preparation and execution of transitions from walking to cantering, military bearing and riding one handed in military saddle.
LCpl Schilbach was awarded 47 out of 50 marks by senior judge, John Cockburn (former Troop Captain, King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery) with him noting “very smart indeed, like you were already on a parade.” LCpl Schilbach was presented with the Catton Salver for “Best Cadet Forces Competitor.” This is the first time that Surrey ACF have won the military equitation competition and LCpl Schilbach will have her name engraved alongside last year’s winner from Cumbria RAF cadet force.
