Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

Although an "official" nursing service was not established until 1881, the corps traces its heritage to Florence Nightingale, who was instrumental in lobbying for the support of female military nurses.  The Army Nursing Service, which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds, had only a small number of nurses in its employ. In 1897, in an effort to have nurses available if needed for war, the service was supplemented by Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve (PCANSR). Nurses registered for the service and by the beginning of the First Boer War the reserve had around 100 members, but swelled its membership to over 1400 during the conflict. PCANSR eventually became the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.   Some of these nurses rode aside in the field to reach their patients faster.  In March 1902, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was established by Royal Warrant, and was named after Queen Alexandra, who became its President. In 1949, the QAIMNS became a corps in the British Army and was renamed as the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Since 1950 the organisation has trained nurses, and in 1992 men were allowed to join.

The associated Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association is a registered charity. Queen Alexandra was President from 1902 until her death in 1925. The following year she was succeeded by Queen Mary.

Spindletop 2016

Each year the Historic Outdoor Living Museum at in Beaumont Texas has an Equestrian Day and I have had the privilege of being invited to participate for the last 5 years.  Bluebonnet Farms from Bellville , TX also participates and they graciously bring several American Saddlebreds to show, including the horse I rode aside whose name is Chip.  I actually trained Chip in sidesaddle and showed him a few times!  We are old friends.  Assistant trainer Austin Hazlewood rode an up and coming show horse in training who had never been off of the farm.  He was so impressive!  Mr. Perwin, owner of Bluebonnet Farms came with his lovely wife Ada and he exhibited his driving horse Ipod.  The children and parents who came had lots of questions and had a wonderful time!

This is me waiting for Chip to be tacked up.  By the way, at this point I had no idea if Chip would allow me to ride him with the parasol...

After I mounted and got comfortable, the photographer opened up the parasol and ever so slowly handed it to me.  We did this early when there were only a few spectators.

 

Chip never flicked an ear, even once when I was adjusting my reins and tapped him on the neck with it!  Such a wonderful horse!!

It was quite warm for an early November day...quite warm!

Spindletop Outdoor Historic Museum is a place where you walk around the restored 'Boomtown'  You can walk through each building..a Post office, Print shop, General Store, Doctors office etc and get a taste of what life was like back then.

This is Mr Perwin.  SHHHHH don't tell him I told you - but I think he is now over 90...but that does not stop him from driving this fancy boy named Ipod.

This is Austin Hazlewood - assistant trainer at Bluebonnet Farm and his young charge - I believe he is a 4 year old gelding who is in training to be a 5 gaited show horse.  He preformed beautifully for the crowd.

Spindletop

For years now I have been participating at Spindletop Equestrian day in Beaumont, TX. Again, this Saturday I have the honor of showing off not only our beautiful American Saddlebred horses, but to exhibit them in sidesaddle!  This picture was taken 4 years ago with Cherryl Finney on the other horse.

 This picture was from 4 years ago when Cherryl Finney rode as well.

....and this is why it is all worth it!

A couple of days ago I received the nicest letter from a young lady who is now competing aside...so instead of me trying to interpret what she said... here is her letter to me:

Hello Julie! I've been following your blog for ages. You were one of my inspirations for actually going out and trying sidesaddle, instead of just mooning over it on facebook and blogs. THANK YOU for that! I absolutely love it, and am an active participant in the community. 

I'm an eventer in Lexington, KY, with a little AQHA mare named Pixie. This fall, with our very supportive trainer, we made our showing debut. I did a horse trial (Starter), my first show, all aside! We placed fourth out of 8 (33.4%, and two double clears) and best of all, everyone was super supportive, even though they'd never seen an aside rider anywhere but tv.

I'm so grateful that you put your own adventure on the web for me to find. I hope it inspires others! Good luck in your own adventures.

Thank you,
Samantha Peterson 

Here are a few pictures Samantha sent me of she and Pixie:

Wow Wow WOW!!!!  Look at them go!!  I cannot tell you how you made my day Samantha by taking the time to share this with me.  I am so impressed with your accomplishments and can't wait to hear more from you.  God Bless you and your adorable Pixie!!