wed 02.03.2011

THE REPUBLICAN GUARD, SPECIAL GUESTS!

Mass at 10.30 am conducted by His Grace, Monsignor de Mauny, accompanied by the brass band of the Republican Guard.

The Carrousel of the Lances- on Sunday after the Prize Giving Ceremony

Under the command of Captain Jacques Le Blay, the brass band of the cavalry comprising 40 officers and guard buglers will accompany the mass which will be held at 10.30 am opposite the main stand.

The Guard's buglers date back to the Municipal Guard in Paris, created in 1802. At that time, all of the mounted troops had brass bands which were more or less significant, in terms of their number of members. Its repertory includes military marches in particular, but also entertaining styles of music such as waltzes, polkas, gavottes, etc.
The buglers ride chestnut horses, which have been the tradition since 1885 and the timpanists ride grey ones.

The Carrousel of the Lances is the final reminder and symbol of what the French Cavalry used to be. Today it represents a level of equestrian instruction reached by young riders performing with horses which are 7-12 years old.  It will be accompanied by its own brass band.

Through its origins, the carrousel stems from jousts and tournaments before it became a refined show.

In the 18th century, military riding, at the instigation of the Duc de Choiseul, used it as an exercise to prepare for war. Loyal to tradition, the cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard will perform a carrousel display which represents part of the programme used in the past. Under the command of Lieutenant Patrick Poidevin, the guards will lead their horses with the left hand solely, as their right one will hold a lance and perform the required movements of traditional riding and varied figures in the three gaits.