The Chauvel Australian Light Horse Ride stopped off at Harden Murrumburrah on Friday completing the first leg of the ride that traces the footsteps of the Australian Light Horsemen.
The ride started in Shepparton on March 4 with a service at the Bouchier Statue and ended in Harden on Friday after stopping by locations over the 18 days at historical landmarks and commemorative sites.
Throughout the first 18 days of the two leg ride, the Light Horsemen stopped at Pine Lodge Reserve in Victoria, Dookie College, Broken Creek, Gooroombat Veterans Retreat, Devonish Silo Art, Thoona Primary School, Warby Ranges, Wangaratta, Elderado, Indigo Creek Road, Wodonga, Gerogery, Henty, The Rock, Wagga Wagga, Junee, Bethungra, Cootamundra, Wallendbeen and finished up in Harden after completing 446km.
In Harden Murrumburrah students were given the opportunity to meet with the riders, posing for pictures and asking all kinds of questions, with many townsfolk and visitors also stopping by to pay their respects and to spend time with the horses and riders.
"This ride is more than just a journey," Pat Leary said.
Latest Stories
"It's a commemoration of the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Australian Light Horse Regiments.
"It's a celebration of Australian history, community and the spirit of remembrance.
"Whether you're riding, supporting, or simply following along, your involvement makes a difference."
The ride pays tribute to Harry Chauvel, an iconic Light Horseman.
On March 4 it was 80 years since the death of the legendary leader of the Australian Light Horsemen during World War I.
On April 16 when the ride finishes it will be 160 years since the birth of Harry Chauvel.
The total ride will see participants ride over 750km to remember the hard earned victories and courageous efforts of these men.
The second part of the ride will start in Young and continue to Tallangatta in Victoria with the ride finishing up on April 16, the birthday of Harry Chauvel at the Sandy statue, the only horse from World War I to return home to Australia.
The trek is open to all Light Horse Troopers, but due to traffic and safety constraints it is limited to eight riders in two sections at any one time.
The Australian Light Horse were mounted troops with characteristics of both cavalry and mounted infrantry, who served in the Second Boer War and World War I.
During the inter-war years, a number of regiments were raised as part of Australia's part-time military force.
These units were gradually mechanised into World War II, although only a small number undertook operational service during the war.
Though they first saw battle in the Second Boer War, by the outbreak of World War I, there were 23 Light Horse regiments within Australia's part-time military force, consisting of around 9,000 personnel.
In NSW there were two Light Horse Brigades, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade (NSW): 5th (New England) and 6th (Hunter River Lancers) and the 3rd Light Horse Brigade (NSW): 7th (NSW Lancers), 9th (NSW Mounted Rifles), 11th (Australian Horse) and 28th (Illawarra) Light Horse Regiments.
There were a number of brigades from all across the country as well as the Australian Commonwealth Horse and eight battalions formed following January 1, 1901.
A number of Australian Light Horse units are still in existences today, including in Harden.
Locals are invited to attend the ceremony that will be held in Young on March 31 that will begin the second leg of the amazing ride.
