It’s 5.15am when my alarm goes off, it’s mid-winter and pitch black outside. I hit the snooze button, turn over, hugging my beautifully warm duvet around me, thinking ‘why why why did I agree to do this?’
I then think about the two-year waiting list, the riding test and the annoyance of Corporal of Horse Daniels (the Sergeant in charge of my allocated troop) if I don’t turn up, not to mention , if I let them down, the fact I won’t get to ride any of my favourite horses for a very long time.
As I shuffle from under my duvet, into thermals, jodhpurs, stock (wrestling with the awkward pin) and fleece I try and guess the temperature outside. It’s freezing and I pull my scarf a little closer around my face as I head to the bus stop.
Approaching Knightsbridge on the bus, resembling a bag-lady laden with all the accoutrements of my working life, I wonder which horse I will be allocated, who else has braved the freezing weather and if my waterproof is still in my locker.
Signing in and shuffling into the stables, I pass a couple of troopers who seem to look younger every day (in my early 30s I can’t get used to the idea of being old, I’m 12 years older than some of the lads – practically their granny!). I ride for 3-Troop, The Life Guards, something I am now very proud of, I am a Navy-Brat, my father being a retired Captain (you might know him well!) but have never really experienced the Army ‘up close’ before. The Life Guards is the senior regiment in the British Army (and obviously the best – but I might be a little bias!).
It’s a good morning, my lovely friends Lizzie and Alexi are in, I am riding Asturias a mischievous little grey trumpet horse, who, if there was any justice in the world, should have been born a Welsh Mountain Pony or been in special forces, he can escape from anywhere, practically breaking through padlocks. He’s lovely to ride, keeping you on your toes with his pathological hatred of birds, importantly something you just can’t avoid in the park!
We lead our horses out to the mounting blocks in the yard, on any one morning during the ceremonial season, up to 160 horses have to be exercised and it can get quite busy!
There is nothing like riding out in Hyde Park early in the morning, common obstacles:
• celebrity jogger, (David Cameron is a regular sight),
• negotiation of the very enthusiastic band of tourists who, for some inexplicable reason, are already seizing the day at 7am and take lots of photos (often with a flash: horses spook, riders shout),
• hundreds of extremely brave cyclists who will zip by within centimetres of an 18 hh horse’s backside and not expect a kick! (to be fair, I have never heard of any cyclists being kicked, but I marvel at their pure courage),
• joggers everywhere, and
• bands of British Military Fitness people, a favourite with any self-respecting cavalry horse, the sight of 40 people suddenly stopping running and all doing squats is often just too much!
This doesn’t include bypassing troops of The Life Guards and Blues and Royals doing drills up and down Rotten Row, various police escorts and the legendary bin man who hates horses and speeds up when he sees a group of nervous riders negotiating the serpentine.
The soldiers in 3-Troop have always been very nice to work with and extremely helpful, yes the language can be colourful, but at that time in the morning, and with the demands these guys have on them, you can cut them a little slack!
Since October last year I have ridden at least 15 of 3-Troop’s horses regularly, as with any horses some of them are lovely to ride, some of them really try it on (plastic bags can be particularly perilous) and sometimes, for no particular reason, you just don’t get on with them. You are allowed to request your favourite and they try and accommodate your wishes if at all possible, unfortunately my favourite is a musical ride and the Regimental Corporal Major’s horse called Isobel who is away training and performing for most of the year (I think I try our NCOs’ patience when I ask where she is all the time!)
It is an honour and a privilege to ride these horses, and be given the opportunity to meet my fellow civilian riders and the soldiers whose dedication and sheer hard work means the formidably high standard of turnout we take for granted.
I have to reiterate there is two-year waiting list, a demanding riding test (much of which is without stirrups – ouch!) and extremely early mornings which you are expected to make at least three times a week. You also need to know someone ‘on the inside’ who can vouch for your ability and recommend you.
‘In order to keep these horses fit and ready for their duties they need to be ridden six days a week, with Troopers on leave, going on courses and so on, the civilian riders really help out. They often bring in welcome bribes (chocolate brownies/biscuits etc) and organising a delicious annual BBQ for the Troop.” Captain Will Goodhew, 3-Troop leader, The Life Guards.
Corporal of Horse Daniels added “It also gives us a bit of a welcome reality check, our civvy riders do all sorts of interesting jobs, we have an academic, a caterer, a policewoman and professional singer to name a few. We’re grateful for their hard work and often forget they’re not serving with us!”
So next time you are in the park or at the Barracks at 6.30am – come along to 3-Troop Life Guards and say hello!
The Household Cavalry has an Operational Casualties Fund: http://www.operationalcasualtiesfund.co.uk/ please have a look and support if you can.
I've done all my Christmas shopping, well almost - I have one more to get.
