A true taste of Roman riding...
Published on 10th May 2007 in News
Eastrington-based expert Mark Atkinson rehearses with his white stunt horse Carla.
A keen show-jumper from Holme-on-Spalding-Moor made his debut appearance as the Roman Cavalry's newest recruit at the weekend when he performed at an event staged by English Heritage.
Ben Cousins (23), took to the spotlight on Sunday (May 6) and Bank Holiday Monday (May 7) when he performed at English Heritage's 'From Romans to Royals' event, staged at Bolsover Castle's magnificent Riding House, built in the 1630s and situated near Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Ben is an enthusiastic show-jumper and eventer and has been trained by Mark Atkinson of Atkinson Action Horses based in Eastrington, where Mark trains horses and riders for television, film and public displays.
Ben said: "Mastering the 2000-year-old skills of a Roman Cavalryman has been a real challenge, but under Mark's guidance I am learning fast.
"The Roman Cavalry had very different saddles, and rode without stirrups. Just staying on the horse is hard enough let alone wielding a sword or a lance."
Mark Atkinson has 24 horses specially trained for historical re-enactment and stunt work, and took a total of eight horses to Bolsover Castle for the weekend's event.
"We prepared four ponies for the Roman Cavalry display that Ben rode in, as these are the authentic type and size for the period," said Mark.
"I also took three horses for the medieval jousting tournament. I performed myself with my white stunt horse Carla in a display of 17th Century riding skills of the type used by the cavalry from the Spanish Royal Court.
"They taught their horses to rear, circle and lay down to command, giving them the advantage over their enemies who rode lesser-schooled horses."
Ben and Mark joined more than a hundred historical re-enactors for English Heritage's 'From Roman to Royals' event, where as well as the horse displays, visitors had the chance to see Roman legionaries demonstrating their battle tactics and artillery and explore the living history encampments.
RIGHT: Ben Cousins from Holme-on-Spalding-Moor has become the Roman Cavalry's newest recruit. (10-05-02 SU)