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.
Horseracing
Lieutenant Izzy Harrison is a promising amateur jockey as well as being 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.
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 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 2024 shows.
