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Fort Concho hosts regional cavalry competition

Competitors in the USCA's Regional Cavalry Competition will participate on various courses for the next three days.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Fort Concho National Historic Landmark is hosting the United States Cavalry Association Regional Cavalry Competition from Thursday to Saturday on its parade grounds. 

Competitors in the event that is hosted by the Fort annually compete in a variety of courses and events from combat horsemanship, military horsemanship, jumping, pistol and saber. 

“We try to preserve the way the cavalry was taught, how they fed horses, how they broke horses, how they used horses, so that tradition is part of this right here,” U.S. Cavalry Association President, Bill Tempero, said. 

Tempero said the history behind the cavalry has kept him in the association for two decades. He explained the association educates the public about the history and traditions of cavalry. 

“It’s a lot of history, a lot of people don't realize you know that there’s almost a million horses that died for our service, in service that died for our country,” Tempero said. 

Competitors from several states participated in the event - among them, active duty and retired military personnel. 

“It’s been great, it’s my first year competing and I'm competing in level three so it’s a lot of tough competition this year though,” Fort Carson competitor, Nicole Wagoner, said.

Wagoner said in order to prepare for the competition, her team had to ride every day, sometimes even twice a day. 

Military horsemanship judge, Jeffrey Wall, said the winner must have great skills while using a horse.

“We’re looking for is the ability to use a horse in now a hypothetical combat situation effectively and with great skill and control,” Wall said. 

The cavalry competition is free and open to the public to watch. Finals will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23. 

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