WA’s mounted police cops lead veterans on Anzac Day march

THEY’RE the closest thing Australia has left to the Light Horse Brigade and on Anzac Day they’ll lead WA’s veterans on the march through Perth’s CBD.

THEY’RE the closest thing Australia has left to the Light Horse Brigade.

And on Anzac Day they’ll lead WA’s veterans and relatives of veterans on the march through Perth’s CBD.

It’s the only ceremonial activity WA’s mounted police cops still perform, and officer in charge Senior Sergeant Glen Potter said it was the favourite day of the year for most officers.

“We have a strong connection to the Light Horse,” he said.

“A lot of the things that they did in terms of how they managed their horses, their training, you will see here.”

Senior Sergeant Potter said police still performed the same group training drills as the light horse, and look for the same qualities in their horses that drew the army to Whalers 100 years ago — strong, hardy draft-horse crosses with good feet and a calm temperament.

“We are the last vestiges of cavalry in the world left, and yet we are still very relevant to modern day policing,” he said.

Sergeant Potter said fewer horses would be taking part in the march this year, because it fell on a Friday.

“Whenever Anzac Day falls on a Friday, we know we’re in for a busy night in Northbridge as everyone heads out for a drink,” he said.

“Because we’re primarily an operational unit, we’ll hold back horses to do extra patrols that night.”

One of the horses leading the march will be new recruit Zulu, who was brought over from Queensland last month.

Experiencing the noise and crowds of the march will form part of his training.

The police horses will be joined in the march by the Police Pipe Band, and one training squad from the Police Academy.