Riding new to some of Gurkha Rifles

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 1

Riding new to some of Gurkha Rifles

Rifleman Bharat Kumar Rai, of the Hong Kong-based 10th Gurkha Rifles, shows a wary confidence after having managed to stay on his horse for some time at the Thornton Grange Riding School, in Sparks Road, yesterday. The 41 Gurkhas who visited the school took horseriding in their stride, but with mixed success and in a variety of styles. "Some ride in Nepal as well, some not, as you see,” said Lance-Corporal Baikomar Gurung from the safety of a New Zealand Army bus. From time to time, a wilful grey horse cantered off into the distance with an unfortunate rifleman clinging to its back like an unwilling Lone Ranger, to return only when his steed felt like it. There was great hooting and guffawing when anyone fell off — from those who could ride. Those who could not were silent. “They are doing well considering the language barrier, and they are really nice people," said one of the instructors, Miss Linda Ewbank. Though possessing a reputation as fierce fighters, the Gurkhas have a happy, outgoing nature. Those at the riding school jesterday were part of a 130-strong contingent in New Zealand for five weeks to take part in Exercise Southern Safari. All were friendly and polite, but one rifleman confided secretly after a long bouncing on a horse that he would rather have, been with one of the other Gurkha groups, who spent the day hunting and fishing at Lake Sumner and Hanmer Springs. “It is very cold here, and the horse is too big,” he said.