If you’ve traversed the High Country Rail Trail, you may have come across some interpretive signs about Sandy, the War Horse, who was the only horse to arrive back in Australia after World War I. Before his years in active service, Sandy was a general working horse on the O’Donnell farm at Old Tallangatta. In 2023, a statue commemorating Sandy was unveiled in Tallangatta, and this is where the Chauvel Border Light Horse Memorial Ride will end its journey next week.

The ride covers 750 km and follows the NSW/VIC border from Shepparton to Albury Wodonga then up to Wagga Wagga and Harden before it makes its way down through Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Corryong, and finally to Tallangatta. At several towns along the way, the ride will stop at commemorative monuments and artworks that acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices of the Australian Light Horse.

While most people would have heard of the Australian Light Horse, perhaps not many know of who led these icons of Australian military tradition. His name was General Sir Harry Chauvel, for which the memorial ride is named, and whose accolades include commanding the 1st Light Horse Brigade at Gallipoli, leading the charge at Beersheba, and the capture of Damascus.

The Chauvel Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride arrives in Tallangatta on Wednesday 16 April 2025, just in time for the 30th Annual Tallangatta Farming Expo at the Tallangatta Showgrounds.

Check out the map of the memorial trail and go visit these memorial sites on foot, bicycle, horse, or car. You can also read more about the Chauvel Foundation and its namesake here.

For detailed information about the event in Tallangatta, including timings, please see the Facebook post below: