“In the early morning they’re attacked by horsemen taking the pegs from their tents with their lances.

“Then the infantry march in and slaughter them in their tents.

“We don’t do that any more.”

And so VanDorssen explains tent pegging.

The equestrian pursuit with origins in ancient military exercises involves riders galloping towards small targets that they pierce, pick up and carry away with their lances or swords.

Australian light horsemen used the sport as a training exercise early last century, then mounted police began demonstrating tent pegging at shows. The first civilian tent pegging team formed in 1964. 

VanDorssen entered the sport, almost half-heartedly, about 30 years ago after he answered an advertisement.

Initial success sharpened his interest and since then tent pegging has taken him around the world in competition.

He and Terry Phillips, also of Jindera, formed part of the squad that represented Australia at April’s tent pegging World Cup in Egypt.

Neville Rathbone and VanDorssen won gold in the pairs event in a close contest with South Africa while the team finished fifth behind the host nation.

VanDorssen said the standard had been high and the Egyptian horses challenging to ride.

“The whole game depends on your horse,” he said. “It’s in the lap of the gods.

“You can have all the ability in the world but …”

Now 66, VanDorssen still knew exactly what kept him involved with tent pegging.

“The speed,” he said. “It’s a real adrenaline rush. It’s a low profile sport, but it’s a great horse sport, you get to hoon.”

VanDorssen said he and Rathbone paired well together, with the experience gained over the years proving a useful tonic to competition nerves.

“You accept what’s going on,” he said. “If we do well, great. You mature a bit, start to relax and then you start to win. That’s what most sport’s about.”​