Making a Difference – Foundation Success Stories
Our people, soldiers and officers, and military working horses, are the heartbeat of The King’s Troop Royal Artillery and their job isn’t easy: with short notice to execute Ceremonial Operations, many are away from Woolwich for periods that can add up to many months per year. The Troop also has other operational military commitments, on standby to deploy, so they must maintain conventional military skills as well as equestrian and ceremonial expertise. And yet, The Troop consistently overcomes obstacles and are pace-setters of mounted Ceremonial Operations, demonstrating the Army’s best qualities.
The King’s Troop Foundation is a charity whose aim is to retain and encourage our people by looking after and doing right by them. We want to ensure that the Troop has happy, healthy and safe teams that consistently produce excellence. This can’t be achieved through the public purse alone. Here are some examples of how the Foundation has helped.
Innovative Equestrian Learning
At The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery there is perpetual energy devoted to excellence, especially in the unique equestrianism needed to drive and manoeuvre Gun Teams at the gallop. To that end the Troop held an educational event for all ranks in 2024 with the help of Horses Inside Out which was paid for by the Foundation.
Anatomical details (bones, tendons etc.) were painted on our Military Working Horses by Horses Inside Out which were then worked in a Gun Team to give a fascinating insight into equine locomotion in the unusual application of Horse Artillery. At King George VI Lines in Woolwich, a complete Gun Team was shown in action so that the Troop could learn from watching how anatomy is affected.
This gave a superb insight to how our horses work in team and helps our Drivers to better understand how to help them to give of their best. One of the Lead Drivers commented: “It was so interesting to learn about the biomechanics of a horse in motion. I think we’re all going to take away some valuable lessons from today, and I certainly want to use this knowledge to help my Gun Team and our Military Working Horses”.
The Troop Race
Every year at the Combined Services race meeting at Larkhill Racecourse, Military Working Horses and people from The King’s Troop compete in the Troop Race. This race is properly governed under the auspices of the Point-to-Point Authority and since 2022 it has been a race on the flat over a distance of 2 miles.
As in everything done by the Troop, it is always intended for this race to be at the highest standards while, of course, having a fun day out away from normal duties. The race is the culmination of months of training, and the opportunity for a bit of friendly rivalry amongst troop members. This year, the Foundation is helping by providing new racing silks and other equipment to help the Troop to run this race properly.
This year, 12 combinations are already in training to take on the challenge, amongst them some new contenders and first-time racing jockeys ready to test their courage and skill. Do come to Larkhill to watch the Troop Race at the Combined Services Point-to-Point on Sunday 16 February 2025. It is a super day with the chance to catch up with Regimental friends as well as seeing good racing on ancient turf in the spectacular Larkhill setting.
Troop Camp
The Troop’s schedule of ceremonial operations, preparation and training (developing our soldiers and military working horses, and mainstream military duties) is full. Troop Camp is an opportunity to do something different, to build up the teams, forge bonds while having fun, and to refine auxiliary skills that give confidence to horses, soldiers and teams in carrying out ceremonial operations.
In 2024 it was agreed to “holiday from home” as the tally of nights away on ceremonial operations is already large. Activities included outings to Thorpe Park theme park and Go Karting at TeamSport in London Docklands. There was also a hack – with coffee and cake – to Oxleas Wood, the antient and picturesque deciduous woodland near King George VI Lines, where the horses were allowed to graze a little. Sections rotated through Cross Country training at the Bonfleur cross-country course in Kent, and the week concluded with mounted games: with much vaulting, running, weaving and hilarity.
Most of this was covered by military funds and the welfare budget. The Foundation stepped in to pay for the catering of an evening meal out for each Section. As well as promoting team bonding, this ensured that all ranks could have a shared evening together to celebrate a successful Troop Camp without stretching individual finances.
Horseracing
Meanwhile, Izzy has been gaining experience in racing by riding out from Wilsford stables for trainer Seamus Mullins. In April 2024 she rode Ian Bare’s Kentford Mallard in the McCreery Military Forces Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton Racecourse gaining a creditable second place in this, her first ride under rules.
The Foundation helped Izzy through providing support to the Troop Race at Larkhill Racecourse, which returned in 2024 after a break due to Covid-19. Izzy was motivated by the unique opportunities The King’s Troop provides; starting by organising the Troop Race, then gaining her Amateur Rider’s Permit in March. The Foundation contributed financially by supplying The Troop with specialist racing kit which Izzy was able to use in her first race; having a variety of the right kit at hand enabled her to make the weight with an optimal set-up.
We are all looking forward to seeing Izzy in more races in the coming seasons.
Army Bobsleigh Team
Lance Bombardier Sienna Wilkinson’s role in Ceremonial Operations is in Left Section of the Troop where she serves as a Gun Team Driver. She is a talented jockey, driving in the Gun Team for the state funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. She has also represented the Troop in a Guard of Honour at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Alberta, Canada.
Meanwhile, she also is a promising talent in the sport of Bobsleigh, having learned to slide with the Army in early 2023. Due to her strong performance, Sienna was scouted to join the Army Winter Sports Association training in Norway with a trial for the Army Team.
The Foundation supported Sienna by paying for specialist and personal protective equipment required to race at competitive level. Sienna was successful and secured a place on the Army team for the 2023 UK Armed Forces Inter-Services Championships. She went on to race and won the title of Army Novice Ladies Champion.
This is very different from her work at the Troop but needs the same fitness, mental agility and determination. Well done Sienna!
Army Eventing
As well as being a member of “F” Subsection of the Troop, and working as a Driver of a Gun Team, Lance Bombardier Ellie Mitchell is a rising star in Army Eventing and has been selected for the 2024 Army Equitation Team. So she will be seen around the horse shows as well as on parade with the Troop, building on her success in Ceremonial Operations in 2023.
In order to give her the best competitive edge, the Foundation has supported Ellie through funding several showjumping, dressage, and flatwork masterclasses with leading experts.
The Foundation has also funded masterclasses open to the wider Troop with Sarah Karim, Chef d’Equipe of the Army Equitation Association and Katy Ford, a British Showjumping Coach. These masterclasses help develop the soldiers’ confidence and proficiency as well as offering a fun break from ceremonial riding. The Foundation are delighted to be able to support this type of activity and support Ellie as she pursues her goals as part of the Army Equitation Team.
Look out for Ellie and her team-mates, and please support them around the shows.
