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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 1990)
Page 4 The Battalion C/3 P5 Q » « the rising sun signals the beginning of a new day, the sound of restless horses and the sight of the Parsons Mounted Cavalry conjure up images of the Old West. It was a time when long hours and hard work were prerequisites for survival, when man and na ture were considered equals. To day, the Cavalry consists of 52 ca dets who display that same rugged spirit. Each must put forth the tre mendous energy and dedication needed to care for their horses. However, the chance to ride dur ing march-ins representing Texas A&M University and the Corps of Cadets makes all the hard work worthwhile. Formed in 1919 as part of a pro gram to commission Reserve offi cers into the cavalry branch of the U.S. Army, the cavalry at Texas A&M was disbanded in 1943 as the need for horse-mounted sol diers decreased with the advent of new technology. But in 1973, a group of cadets reorganized the cavalry and named it after then-Corps of Ca dets commandant Thomas R. Par sons, Class of ’49. The new cavalry was given the tasks of keeping alive the mem ories of an armed force that trav eled and fought on horseback, and promoting the spirit and tradi tions of Aggieland. Positions in the Parsons Mounted Cavalry are open to all Corps members, but only after at least completing their freshman year. As sophomores, prospective members must take two required animal science courses that teach the cadets horse care. Afterward, members of the cavalry must take a riding course every semester. In addition to the coursework, cadets must clean stalls and take care of the horses. The sopho mores also maintain 57 acres of land, called the Fiddler’s Green, Tuesday, April 3 a Q cG £ i-i * C/D '-C G ctS Q £ W C/3 O o s c? Q X & AUSTIN the Texas I Services, whi million, two on Monday money to he sued theagei DBS Coni said he has solve the del' agency the funds itneec The rest t jected shortf matching fu without state But Linds :nts only w mnsider shil agency need :al year fron Line natit tree Associati DANB Nineteen the count ton subui getting 5 tree-plan Linde Dr Industry The pi of a dec Linde to trees irt 1 pating ai company The in reeled a where Li facilities. The cc ement ol developr for the which is disease. The p munities ering Dc White O LEFT: Senior members ofthe Parsons Mounted Cavalry watch the March to the Bra zos events from atop a ridge. BELOW: Lt. Col. Dunham, the adviser to the cavalry, leads the seniors down Tur key Creek Road Saturday morning. BOTTOM: Senior Kevin Franks brushes his horse be fore heading out to the Bra zos River. Linde plier of i trial gasi Far (Continu Ozden posed Roy A. percent o GEOS< Jim M percent o LIBEI Martir where the bam and horses are broke a few horses,” Moore said, kept. Moore wanted to be in the cav- The cavalry is made up of peo- airy ever since he and his father, pie from a variety of backgrounds. Class of ’68, visited A&M when he Some are from the country, but was 12. After seeing a cavalry just as many members are from member on a horse, Moore then Here’s to us, and those like us. There’s damn few of us left.” — Col. Westervelt, former adviser Parsons Mounted Cavalry big cities such as Dallas or Hous- decided he wanted to join the cav- ton. airy. James Moore, commander of This year’s group of cadets also the cavalry, learned how to ride consists of one woman, Sonja horses as a child on his family’s Henrikson. The senior from Red- ranch in New Mexico. “I even lands, Calif, wanted to try out for cavalry ever since she joined the Corps. She owned a horse while living in South Dakota and simply wanted the chance to ride again. Although she is only the second woman ever to he accepted into the cavalry, Henrikson said she has felt no pressure to be an ex ample for other women with simi lar aspirations. However, she does encourage all cadets who want to be mem bers of the cavalry to give it their best shot. Henrikson said she gains great satisfaction from being in the cav alry. “Hearing a little kid at a foot ball game say that they want to be just like me and be in the cavalry is the greatest feeling in the world,” she said.