A friend of mine was doing a film on reenactors and wanted some footage on the First World War and cavalry so Max and I helped out. Basically I portray a trooper of Troop H, 2nd US Cavalry on the Western Front mid-1918. Here are some pictures from that shoot:

 

 



November 2008 GWHS Event

Here's a picture of me after a long day as Allied Commander at the Fall GWHS battle at Ozena Valley:

It's Been Awhile...

I have to admit that it's been over a month since I've updated my blog but there's been all sorts of stuff going on in my life (not to mention my monitor dying on me) so things have gotten a tad backed up.

Anyway, this past weekend I helped to organize a WWI reenactment event- the first in close to four years at a place called Ozena Valley Ranch (it's way out in the boonies). Naturally with these sorts of things, it took a lot of work and especially in preparing the site. We hired a backhoe to come in and do the large-scale excavation but there was still all the work of finishing off the trenches and filling sadbags. It also didn't help that the site is at an elevation of roughly 4,000 feet so I was stopping often to catch my wind and drink water. I'm really creaking today!

Although there had been problems with snow storms and roads put out of commission the week before, the weather this last weekend was excellent- clear and sunny. During the day, temperatures were in the 80s but at night they dropped to the low 40s- it was COLD! Fortunately, I came prepared and brought extra blankets and the like. As usual, even though I brought a camera, I failed to get any pictures so I'll have to once again depend on the kindness of others- I'll put some up here once I get them.

We wound up finishing a bit early (many of the membership wound up leaving Saturday night) so I actually left at about 11 AM. I decided that the day was too beautiful to not see Max so I stopped off at the stables on the way home. Max was definately happy to see me but not when it looked like he was going to have to work. Of course I can understand this since he still has his winter coat and it was 80 degrees out.

We went for a ride around following out normal route that ultimately put us at the Orcas Arena. I worked him through the walk/trot/canter and by the time we were done, Max had worked up a little bit of a sweat. After returning to the stables, I decided to give him a bath (the first in a long time) and by the time he got his bucket, he was a very happy horse. I hope the weather holds up for next weekend.

Scary Reenactment Time

Reenacting in Russia has always had an element of taking one's life in their hands but the above picture speaks volumes. It almost looks like they're using tac nukes! If nothing else, it certainly appears that the ground charges are a tad on the powerful side...

The above picture was taken at a reenactment of the Battle of Borodino somewhere in Russia in 1999 and I've heard from numerous sources that safety regulations are not always closely adhered to (more along the lines of suggestions rather than ironclad rules). One friend of mine related to me how at one Napoleonic even held in the Czech Republic a few years ago (I believe they were reenacting Austerlitz), the Russian cavalry were drunk and actually making full swinging blows with their sabers at the opposing cavalry and infantry- several people were injured. Also, it seems that there's no separation between alcohol and using weapons- stuff that would get you thrown out of any half-way reputable event in the US or Western Europe.

Here's a link to reenacting in Russia/Ukraine- I can't vouch for anything so take it with a lump of salt.

Back to Columbus - Camp Furlong Days

Well, it appears that there will be a "4th Annual Camp Furlong Days" event in Columbus, New Mexico on March 9 - 10 to commemorate Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus on March 9, 1916. Hopefully it won't be as windy as it was last year- the event was literally "blown out" by the winds and much of the scheduled activities were cancelled.

Here's a picture of me and my compadre Chris from last year's event (did I forget to mention that it was windy?):

And here's me with a "captured" Villista:

Unlike last year which also included the dedication of the new museum at Pancho Villa State Park, this one will be a bit more low-key and not as well attended. Hopefully there will be a string of rental horses available like there was last year. We shall see...

Now to get those shelter halves together!