Successes

Update:  Lance Bombardier Sienna Wilkinson is the Army Bobsleigh Female Champion.

Sienna Wilkinson is a talented Driver – both in a Gun Team at the Troop and in the driving seat of a fast-moving Bobsleigh. Scouted by the Royal Artillery Bobsleigh Team, Sienna travelled to Austria this winter to train on the tracks with the Army Winter Sports Association ahead of the Army Championships where she was a winner; see this reel on Instagram.

Sienna won the title of Army Bobsleigh Female Champion and is preparing to represent the Army at the Inter Service Championships. Meanwhile she takes part in Ceremonial Operations like Royal Gun Salutes and other state occasions as a Driver in a Left Section Gun Team. This involves dedicated training and preparation so that everything is perfect on the day; you can see some Troop training on this reel. Both kinds of Siena’s driving need the same fitness, mental agility and determination.

The Foundation provided financial support to assist with travel and the purchase of essential personal protective equipment for Sienna so that she could properly take part at the competitive level. Best wishes to Sienna for the 2025 Inter Service Championships.

Update:  Captain Izzy Harrison rode Ian Bare’s Kentford Mallard to a hard-won second place in wet “going” conditions in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Military Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on 24 January 2025.  You can see the race here: racingtv.com.

Izzy is a promising amateur jockey and a full-time Army Officer.  As a Section Commander at The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Izzy leads approximately 30 soldiers and 40 horses on Ceremonial Operations.  She has been gaining experience in racing by riding out from Wilsford Stables for trainer Seamus Mullins.  In April 2024 she rode the same Kentford Mallard in the McCreery Military Forces Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton Racecourse for her first ride under rules.

Izzy has been motivated by the unique opportunities The King’s Troop provides; starting by organising the Troop Race at Larkhill Racecourse, then gaining her Amateur Rider’s Permit. The Foundation contributed financially by supplying The Troop with specialist racing kit which Izzy and the other aspiring Jockeys at the Troop are able to use; having a variety of the right kit at hand helps them to make the weight with an optimal set-up shows that their sporting efforst are valued.

The ceremonial operations commitments of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery require the Troop to ‘forward mount’ to central London or other locations. This means that all the horses, the guns and people involved move to temporary accommodation. While there are excellent temporary stables, our people generally live in transit accommodation or on camp beds in large spaces. So people generally only have their place of work and a bed space even though they can deployed like this for multiple weeks at a time.

The public funds from the Ministry of Defence clearly pay for the accommodation, catering and so on. The Foundation adds to this by providing extra things with the intention of supporting a good quality of life, as well as letting our people know that they are appreciated. The ‘Governor’s Suite’ is one such example - a collection of portable kit that can be set up when the Troop is on the road. It includes entertainment equipment (games consoles and video projectors), soft seating and snack facilities like microwave ovens. These are little things that together make a big difference.

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”.

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.

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.

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.