SPECTACULAR HORSEMANSHIP LEAVES AUDIENCES AWED, ADDS ZING TO MILITARY LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Chandigarh, December 6, 2017: A spectacular display of horsemanship skills, amid the musical chants of the Punjab Police brass band and the bag pipers of the Indian Army, on Wednesday added a new thrill to the forthcoming Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh.

Riders of the Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Police Academy Phillaur, Army Supply Corps of the Indian Army and 879 Animal Transport Company left audiences at the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat Ground awed with their exceptional exhibition of horsemanship during the 'Equitation Tattoo' event, organised here as a precursor to the main Festival, scheduled to take place on December 7-9.

The outstanding performances by the riders included Show Jumping, Triple Tent Pegging and Cross Tent, followed the breathtaking exhibition of jumping over unusual obstacles like drums, barriers, mosquito nets, jeeps, bikes, besides going through the fire and leaning out of the saddle to pick up the coloured handkerchiefs.

The majestic mule display by the 879 Animal Transport Battalion was another star attraction, which started with the performance of Jamura, the most loved mule of the battalion.

One of the most amazing sights was the triple act of tent pegging by Sukhman Preet Singh Sandhu, while carrying a lance in right hand, saber in the mouth and a bayonet in the left hand. The exhibition jumping performed by Lt Ritika Dhayia on the horse Napolean left the audiences amazed with the prowess of the women officers of the Indian Army. Children were also not far behind, as young members of the clubs of Western Command Triveni Riding School, chandigarh Horse Riding Society and Pratap Stables, showed their remarkable horse-riding skills.

Enhancing the magic of the programme was the brass band play by Punjab Police and the musical renderings of the bag pipers of the 6th Dogra Battalion of the Indian Army.

Addressing the event, Lt Gen TS Shergill (Retd), senior advisor to chief minister Punjab, said that these events were being organized with a focus on spreading knowledge and military history and accomplishments of the Indian armed forces to create awareness among the people, especially children. He said that during the course of the Festival, over 1200 children, drawn mainly from the rural areas surrounding the tri-city, would participate in the festivities and engage in a “Samvaad” with the war veterans.

Meanwhile, paramotors display, band displays and rehearsals carried out by Motorcycle Daredevil Team, which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, attracted large crowds around the Sukhna Lake area and other parts of the city.