The Gallipoli Centenary’s equivalent of the Olympic Torch reached Canberra after a month-long journey from Albany in Western Australia on Tuesday afternoon.
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And the star of its arrival was Comet (aka Providence Comet’s Fire), the six-year-old waler from Murringo.
Comet’s owner Michelle Robertson said it was the ultimate honour for her and and her parents - Geoff and Yvonne Coupland - and one they were truly appreciative of.
Comet, who was bred by Geoff and Yvonne, carried Boorowa woman Jennifer Cayfe and the RSL Anzac flame - that’s making its way around the country in light of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli - to the Australian War Memorial.
It is to play a key part in the Camp Gallipoli experience which could involve as many as 120,000 Australians from all states and territories on the eve of Anzac Day in 2015, camping in all major capital cities and across regional Australia.
Because of the special nature of the occasion Michelle said she asked Jennifer, who had broken Comet in, to ride him.
Geoff, who is a member of both the Light Horse Association and the Waler Horse Society of Australia, also lent Jennifer his Light Horse Uniform, complete with military saddle and ostrich feathers.
Despite the gusty conditions and the danger of the flame being extinguished, the handover took place without a hitch.
This was largely due to Comet’s chilled out approach to all the fuss.
“He did so well, this was totally new to him. He’s been to three agriculture shows but has done nothing like that before,” Michelle said.
“We prepared him for objects going on and off but didn’t know how he’d be with a flame, there were photographers... and we crossed a six-lane road… he just took it all in.”
Comet’s selection for the vital role simply came down to him being a waler, Michelle said - the same horses used during the Battle of Gallipoli.
“Barry Newman, a member of the board of Camp Gallipoli and patron of the Waler Horse Society believed it was important to use a waler ...not just any horse,” Michelle said.
She said her parents have been breeding walers on their property in Murringo for 25 years and the NSW coordinator knew they had all the Light Horse gear.
- With The Canberra Times
