AB loves horsing around

Collection reins supreme

GIDDY UP: AB Julie Lambert has an unusual collection of full-sized fibreglass horses. She has gathered eight of the horses that are produced as commercial display items for horse-riding schools and saddleries. They are worth around $650 each.

By Michael Brooke

When AB Julie Lambert finishes a hard day’s work in the wardroom at HMAS Stirling, she loves nothing better than going home and “horsing around”.
It’s a case of “ride ‘em cowboy” when AB Lambert vaults into the saddle of any one of her eight “horses” – although they aren’t likely to buck in protest because these aren’t live animals.

AB Lambert collects full-size fibreglass horses and rides them whenever she gets the urge.

“I jump into the saddle and say ‘giddy up’,” she told Navy News.

The 18-year Navy veteran has paid $650 for each of the horses that are produced as commercial display items for horse-riding schools and saddleries.
AB Lambert said she once rode a real horse when she was eight-years old but prefers the more “tame” fibreglass models.

“I like these fibreglass horses because you don’t have to feed them or clean up their poop.”
AB Lambert keeps the horses not in stables but in her house.

To get a sense of realism AB Lambert gets on the horse in her lounge-room and watches movies that feature horse-riding.

“If I want to feel the wind in my hair while riding, I turn the fan on,” she said with a smile.

AB Lambert is just one of many people in the Navy with interesting hobbies or collections. Navy News would like to hear from you if you can ‘go one better’ than AB Lambert.

 

Harnessed to distant
memories

IN THEATRE: LCDR Jill Buckfield at work in Baghdad.

SADDLE UP: When she is away from her duties with Defence, LCDR Buckfield enjoys nothing better than riding her favourite horses. She was named Rider of the Year at the National Capital Equestrian Club before deploying to Iraq.

Half a world away from Murrumbateman is a powerful unframed painting of four Arab horses galloping across the desert.

It’s above the desk of Murrumbateman’s Jill Buckfield in Baghdad, and it reminds her of just one of the many things she has put on hold to serve her country.

Jill, named a Rider of the Year at the National Capital Equestrian Club just before she deployed to Iraq late last year, is also a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and now commands the administration staff at the Australian Headquarters at Camp Victory.

It’s a far cry from her five-acre property that she shares with her two horses, two dogs and a cat. It’s also very different from her last job as a qualified psychologist on loan to the Army’s Duntroon’s health centre, where she has been for the past two-and-a-half-years.

In Baghdad, Jill has many responsibilities - her staff look after pay, travel, accommodation and a hundred other things that keep life smooth for everyone else.

“It was strange at first but I’ve found it professionally very rewarding and extremely interesting - although tiring!” she said.

Jill’s parents Pat and George live at Yarralumla, and she rarely misses a chance to phone and let them know she is safe and well.

“My partner Andrew, being ex-Navy, understands what it is like to be away from friends and loved ones for a while, which is a big help to me. But I am looking forward to coming home at the end of my tour to be with my family and friends.”

 

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