A day in the life of our local barracks.
Lt Col. C. A. Lockhart. Commanding Officer. Household Cavalry Regiment
Lt Col. C. A. Lockhart. Commanding Officer. Household Cavalry Regiment
The barracks in our midst.
Nestled amongst the exclusive residential district of Knightsbridge and located on the southern edge of Hyde Park sits the post modern red brick and cement building. To the untrained eye it resembles your average office block but on closer inspection the sight of the curious horse peering over the second floor balcony unfazed by early morning traffic is commonplace. To the residents of Knightsbridge, this is unmistakably the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who have resided in this magnificent location for over a hundred years prior to the barracks being re-designed by Sir Basil Spence in 1969.
Hyde Park Barracks is home to some 280 horses and 380 men of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who perform mounted State Ceremonial and Public Duties on every day of the year, come rain, snow or sun. The regiment is only one half of the Household Cavalry which has an operational half known as the Household Cavalry Regiment. This regiment has recently been deployed on operations over the last six months throughout Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Soldiers are posted between the two regiments so do not mistake the soldiers you may see on parade as purely Ceremonial. At the moment there are stationed in Hyde Park Barracks a holder of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and another who holds the Military Cross.
The Household Cavalry Trooper is a fairly unique individual and could be classed as a universal soldier. After completing 14 weeks of basic soldier training, he then embarks on a gruelling 22 week equestrian course, in which he learns about horse management, welfare, how to ride and complete the complex state ceremonial drills on horses. All this is achieved whilst riding with reins in one hand and a sword in the other. The Household Cavalryman endures a six day week, waking up at around 0545 hours in order to parade for duty at 0620 hours and, if on Guard the next day, will work late to ensure his kit is clean. Having ‘mucked out’ the stables, it is time to go out on the morning Watering Order. This exercise consists of an hour long ride for groups of up to 20 horses.
London in early mornings is a completely different place when experienced on the back of a “Cav Black”, the affectionate term for the regiment’s horses. Some of the favourite routes include watering orders through Knightsbridge and Kensington High Street, Holland Park and then via Portobella Road for the bohemian experience. When in the mood to window shop exercises pass through Mayfair via Berkeley Square, along Bond Street with its plethora of designer boutiques, then onto Regents Street, before returning via Carnaby Street and the hypnotic neon lights of Piccadilly Circus. For more relaxed rides, officers have become well known for taking their horses through the delightful residential streets of Chelsea. Meandering in and out of the Kings Road, temporarily stopping in Sloane Square for coffee and an almond croissant, not forgetting the odd sugar lump for the horses. Many commuters have been treated to an engaging horse peering into the 137, 22 and 14 buses!!
Beside ceremonial duties, the regiment is heavily involved in the local communities of Kensington and Chelsea and Brent. In these boroughs, the regiment works closely with local schools and colleges, sports clubs and youth groups, by informing them of military values such as courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. The regiment also assists the local community by working closely with organisations such as the Knightsbridge Business Group and Royal Parks Agency.
In terms of this years programme, after a brief yet well earned rest in April the regiment prepares for a busy period known as ‘silly season’ during which time they will partake in the State Opening of Parliament after the General Election, the Queen’s Birthday Parade and the Garter Service at Windsor Castle. So, in these coming months whilst sleeping soundly in warm beds at night, spare a thought for the Mounted Dutyman as reveille is called at 0200 hours in order to conduct early morning rehearsals on the streets of London, all in the pursuit of excellence.
Nestled amongst the exclusive residential district of Knightsbridge and located on the southern edge of Hyde Park sits the post modern red brick and cement building. To the untrained eye it resembles your average office block but on closer inspection the sight of the curious horse peering over the second floor balcony unfazed by early morning traffic is commonplace. To the residents of Knightsbridge, this is unmistakably the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who have resided in this magnificent location for over a hundred years prior to the barracks being re-designed by Sir Basil Spence in 1969.
Hyde Park Barracks is home to some 280 horses and 380 men of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who perform mounted State Ceremonial and Public Duties on every day of the year, come rain, snow or sun. The regiment is only one half of the Household Cavalry which has an operational half known as the Household Cavalry Regiment. This regiment has recently been deployed on operations over the last six months throughout Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Soldiers are posted between the two regiments so do not mistake the soldiers you may see on parade as purely Ceremonial. At the moment there are stationed in Hyde Park Barracks a holder of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and another who holds the Military Cross.
The Household Cavalry Trooper is a fairly unique individual and could be classed as a universal soldier. After completing 14 weeks of basic soldier training, he then embarks on a gruelling 22 week equestrian course, in which he learns about horse management, welfare, how to ride and complete the complex state ceremonial drills on horses. All this is achieved whilst riding with reins in one hand and a sword in the other. The Household Cavalryman endures a six day week, waking up at around 0545 hours in order to parade for duty at 0620 hours and, if on Guard the next day, will work late to ensure his kit is clean. Having ‘mucked out’ the stables, it is time to go out on the morning Watering Order. This exercise consists of an hour long ride for groups of up to 20 horses.
London in early mornings is a completely different place when experienced on the back of a “Cav Black”, the affectionate term for the regiment’s horses. Some of the favourite routes include watering orders through Knightsbridge and Kensington High Street, Holland Park and then via Portobella Road for the bohemian experience. When in the mood to window shop exercises pass through Mayfair via Berkeley Square, along Bond Street with its plethora of designer boutiques, then onto Regents Street, before returning via Carnaby Street and the hypnotic neon lights of Piccadilly Circus. For more relaxed rides, officers have become well known for taking their horses through the delightful residential streets of Chelsea. Meandering in and out of the Kings Road, temporarily stopping in Sloane Square for coffee and an almond croissant, not forgetting the odd sugar lump for the horses. Many commuters have been treated to an engaging horse peering into the 137, 22 and 14 buses!!
Beside ceremonial duties, the regiment is heavily involved in the local communities of Kensington and Chelsea and Brent. In these boroughs, the regiment works closely with local schools and colleges, sports clubs and youth groups, by informing them of military values such as courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. The regiment also assists the local community by working closely with organisations such as the Knightsbridge Business Group and Royal Parks Agency.
In terms of this years programme, after a brief yet well earned rest in April the regiment prepares for a busy period known as ‘silly season’ during which time they will partake in the State Opening of Parliament after the General Election, the Queen’s Birthday Parade and the Garter Service at Windsor Castle. So, in these coming months whilst sleeping soundly in warm beds at night, spare a thought for the Mounted Dutyman as reveille is called at 0200 hours in order to conduct early morning rehearsals on the streets of London, all in the pursuit of excellence.
