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On Sunday 25th April, The Life Guards Squadron of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment visited Ludgrove. Col. Lockhart, Oliver’s father, is their commanding officer and, through him, arrangements were made for the day.
The men arrived with their horses in the morning and, once they were settled and happily at home on the top lawn, they were exercised and rested in preparation for the afternoon’s display.
After lunch, all of the boys had the opportunity to meet the soldiers, learn about their equipment and training (including 20 weeks of riding instruction) and see a couple of the horses up close: the drum horse was particularly popular, with his massive set of copper drums (the special silver ones only come out on VERY important occasions, apparently). Several boys had the opportunity to try on some of the soldiers’ equipment and learned how heavy and expensive the riders’ ceremonial uniforms are.
Once the school had assembled on the top pitches, we were treated to a fantastically impressive display of precision riding and horsemanship overseen by COH Park. We were particularly honoured to have the Riding Master in attendance, casting his expert eye over the proceedings. The sun shone at the right time and everybody was abuzz for the rest of the day with the excitement of having witnessed such a display on the 1st XI football pitch!
Very many thanks to Col. and Mrs Lockhart, COH Park and all
of the men who treated us to such a memorable afternoon and got the summer term
off to a memorable start.
Further pictures of the afternoon are here.
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