1894 presentation tankard of the The Colonel's Challenge Cup

 Henry Strutt, 2nd Baron Belper, originally a Liberal Politician for Derbyshire was made Lieutenant - Colonel of the S.N.Y.C. in 1879 replacing Colonel Earl Manvers. A position he held until 1896 when he was replaced by Colonel Lancelot Rolleston. He became a member of the House of Lords in 1880 replacing his father. 


In 1882, Lords Belper presented for use by the Regiment,a large silver trophy which was to become known as, The Colonel's Challenge Cup. A competition established by Lord Belper to be held each year to promote friendly rivalry between the Squadrons and promote high standards of efficiency. Four members from each Troop would compete to be adjudged the best for display, the best efficiency, smartness, cleanliness and best horsed. Each year, the winning troop's captain would be the holder of the cup until competed for again the following year. At the start of the following year's competition, the cup was placed on the officers' mess table until re-presented to the year's new recipient, or retained by the same captain if that were the case.Each of the four men who won the cup for their Troop Captain would receive a cup or similar prize to keep.

The first competition held in  1882, the winners were "B" (Watnall) Troop, and the cup presented to Captain Rolleston. 
1883, won by "A" (Holme) Troop, the cup presented to Major Roberson.
1884 won by  "B" (Watnall) Troop, the cup presented to Captain Rolleston.
1885,won by  "B" (Watnall) Troop, the cup presented to Captain Rolleston.
1886, won by "B" (Watnall) Troop, the cup presented to Major Rolleston.
1887, no competition.
1888, won by "B" (Watnall) Troop, the cup presented to Major Rolleston.
1889 won by "E" (Wollaton) Troop, the cup presented to Captain Fellows. The competition now also included musketry qualification. 
1890 won by "C" (Rushcliffe) and "F" (Nottingham) Troops, the cup presented to Captain Pratt-Barlow.
1891, no competition.
1892 won by "C" (Rushcliffe) and "F" (Nottingham) Troops, the cup presented to Captain Pratt-Barlow.
1893 won by "C" (Rushcliffe) and "F" (Nottingham) Troops, the cup presented to Captain Pratt-Barlow.
1894 won by "D" (Wollaton) Squadron, the cup presented to Captain Smith. (The six Troops reorganized into four Squadrons January 1893)

On the 23rd of May 1894, Major General Wilkinson along with Colonel Langtry commander of the Leicester District and others made an inspection of the Regiment. The following day the Regiment was inspected again by Colonel Langtry in Wollaton Park. On this day Colonel Langtry presented Regimental prizes including the Colonels Challenge Cup, handing the Cup to Captain Smith.The four representatives from "D" Squadron who won the competition for the Wollaton Squadron that year were presented with highly chased silver plated mugs, those men being Sergeants H Dearman, J.Marsden, and J.Musson, along with Trooper W.Pearson. Sergeant Marsden was still with the Regiment in 1905 and was presented with the Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal by Colonel Sir Lancelot Rolleston on parade in Nottingham in the Market Place.Here we have one of the four mugs, or tankards presented by Colonel Langtry naming the four participants, probably these were supplied by Captain Smith to be presented to each of the four men at his own expense. Captain,later Major Rolleston was the most successful Troop commander in the competition during the 1880's holding the The Squadron Challenge Cup for five years in that decade, the Colonel's Challenge Cup a familiar resident at Watnall Hall in the 1880's.

The Cup would go on to be awarded during peacetime well into the 1930's and today is preserved in the collection at the Army Reserve Centre in Bulwell.
                                                       
                                                                          Colonel Lord Belper
 
                                                                           
                                                                            The Challenge Cup  (photo courtesy of Mr B.Stone)








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