G'day all,

Steve Parkes:

As I understand it from the military buffs (enthusiasts, not the regiment), the Tentpegging - picking out wooden tent pegs on the run with lances - was practice for a legitimate military exercise: mounted troops knocking down the foes' encampment as a harassing maneouvre.

I have seen the local NSW Lancers (based in Sydney, NSW, Australia) demonstrate the technique at a few shows.

Certainly Pigsticking with lances would help develop combat skills ... but it looks a lot more like practice for running down fleeing civilians!

Regards,

Bob Bolton