Clic to scroll down to next paragraph OUR Training:

Notre colonel: Thierry Bl. , Gérard, Chasseurs du 27me : Prise en mains des chevaux dans les casemattes de Rocroy (Photo Uriel Delicourt) Among us are several horseriding instructors practising various equestrian disciplines and who provide us with continuous training.
By taking charge of the horses in an appropriate manner, we instil them with confidence in their rider in such a way as to accustom them to a situation which may otherwise appear as hostile to them.(cannon-shots, drums, fusillades, duels, paraded among the public)

Our horses: In Belgium, they come from various maneges. Abroad we receive the horses from the organiser. Although they are sometimes not used to these kind of exercises, our acquired experience helps us face all situations. We do not limit our activity to the parade but we re-enact all manoeuvres of the time (Training, fighting with sabre, charges: "sabre au clair"(meaning:  in the light), running at the heads,  etc.)

Clic to scroll down to next paragraph  "Running at the heads" was an exercise regularly practised in the cavalry. It obliges the rider to lead his horse with one hand in the gallop. He needs to keep his balance when lowering the sword. A most delicate matter is not to strike the croup of the horse with the sword when he misses the cabbage! This exercise is rather more spectacular than difficult.
How to prepare vegetables for the soup !
Click on the image  to replace the cabbage with the head of an Englishman or a Prussian!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clic to scroll down to next paragraph  OH NO !  Surely you don't believe that we would strike our enemy friends! Our re-enactments are done in friendship between all those taking part in the reconstitution.
English people are our
preferred enemies. We like to fight together as during our oldest battle at Waterloo on 18th June 1815. But unlike some sports where supporters are (sometimes fiercely) opposed, it’s always a pleasure to meet them on friendly terms at a re-enactment to share the same passion of history.
We’re demonstrating a Europe of conflicts!   but we’re making a Europe of friendship.

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Clic to scroll down to next paragraph   SABRER : AN OLD CAVALRY TRADITION
The expression 'Sabrer le champagne' ('to sabre the champagne') means to cut off the neck of the bottle with a sabre: the bottle (armed with its cork) is tilted at a 30° angle while the back of the blade is slid violently towards the neck, which bursts open. The pressure of the gas inside the champagne prevents fragments of glass from entering the bottle. This tradition is still practised on special occasions by those who claim to be part of the military cavalry. The easy way is to hold the bottle, with one's thumb well out of the way of the blade!
Important and practical information when the predictable happens: Get hold of the dog (or the cat) of the house before it has the chance to swallow the severed thumb hurtling through the room. Search carefully for the thumb, taking care not to tread on it, pick it up and wrap it in a clean plastic bag. Pack the plastic bag in ice cubes (if necessary, take those which were to be used for the aperitif). Make sure that the thumb does not get into contact with the ice cubes. Escort the imbecile and his thumb to the hospital with a good hand surgeon on its register (Emergency first aid number in Belgium: 100). Warn the surgeon. Invite the 2nd Rgt of Dragoons to come and do a proper demonstration, and ensure that there is plenty of champagne!

  Clic to scroll down to next paragraph   And another activity : Use of Military Cavalry at night (Gérard, webmaster)

If reading a large number of books on the "first empire" provides a good understanding of history, nothing can compare to experiencing first hand the reason for the successes and failures by re-enacting them on the same fields and in the same manner as did the soldier of the period.

    This is how in May of 1999 at the re-enactment of the Campagne of France (1814) we the French forces were compelled to make a counter attack against a German force  King German Legion. at night.  >>> TO READ on page 5 at Use of Military Cavalry at night
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