Historical information

20th Light Horse competed at the RAS in the period prior to WW11.The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.
This competition was first introduced in Britain by Colonel Sir James Lloyd-Lindsay in 1873. From there it was brought to New Zealand and Australia in the 1890s. A team of four horsemen had to jump over a number of hurdles and fire their rifles in unison. Points were awarded for speed, accuracy and style. The Lloyd-Lindsay competition was also included in some A & P (agricultural and pastoral) shows, perhaps without the rifle firing.

Significance

Rare examples of prizes awarded to Light Horse at Royal Agricultural Show.

Physical description

Colour Certificate from the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of Victoria awarding Second Prize to 20th Light Horse Regiment entry in Lloyd Lindsay Section, 1938.