THE past military influence in many of the competitive equestrian sports is sometimes forgotten. The most obvious is eventing, which came into being as an officers’ test at the start of the 20th century and for many years was referred to on the Continent as “The Military”. It became an Olympic discipline in 1912.
Showjumping, racing and polo all had a services’ following before the war, but a golden era was about to begin. It was therefore no big surprise that many of the administrators of these sports came from the armed services.
For more than 50 years, one unit has punched way above its weight in providing sport directors, stewards, team managers, performance directors and a host of other tasks and indeed in the competitive fields. That unit is The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
After the war, King George VI suggested that following the mechanisation of the last batteries of horse-drawn artillery, a troop should be retained for state ceremonies. The Riding Troop was reformed in 1946. The King suggested that a more apt name should be The King’s Troop, and in 1947 he amended the page in the visitors’ book, crossing out the word “Riding” and writing “King’s”.
On her accession, The Queen declared the name would be a permanent honour to her father. It is a six-gun unit with around 160 soldiers, 130 horses and just six or seven officers, but as you will see, this small pool has produced a plethora of equestrian luminaries over the years. Here are some of them.
This story is from the May 13, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 13, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I've ever 'He's the best ridden'
Dannie Morgan wins three national titles and the next generation of dressage stars rise to the occasion as one title goes down to the wire
I Am Maximus hailed hero
The Grand National produces a triumph of sporting brilliance, with several fairy-tale endings
Evergreen mare takes top spot
Familiar faces take top honours, as eventers impress and new combinations win championship titles for the first time
A match made in Paradise
The 1,000 supreme titles are netted by a much-admired 138cm show pony and a consistent heavyweight hunter
McLean's dash north pays dividends
The Scottish rider picks up a raft of Highland qualifiers and there's an unusual jumping test in Somerset
Buy Some Time finds the winning factor
A six-yearold makes a welcome return to form and some unexpected fast ground produces an epic clash
A sash, at last!
Sarah Moy fulfils a lifelong ambition, a spooky superstar” retains a title and polocrosse provides a winning formula
A win for Cesar and Claire
The VWHs Claire King battles demanding going to take the Wynnstay hunt ride on honest and clever” Cesar Et Rosalie, reports Catherine Austen
Cognac
This \"Jekyll and Hyde\" ex-racehorse never said no to a fence and had a definite sense of humour
We've got each other's backs
As part of H&H's 140th anniversary this year, we are celebrating Britain's great horsey families with a series of interviews. In our second instalment, we speak to multi-medallist Gareth Hughes, his wife Rebecca and their daughter Ruby