The
Training Of A Household Cavalryman
Initially,
all recruits undertake the necessary equestrian training to fit them
for service (up to two years) in the Mounted Regiment, based in London.
There are two quite distinct types of training required - either for
service in the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (using tracked and
other vehicles), or for service in the Mounted Regiment (riding horses).
It
must also be remembered that horses themselves need to be trained
- to acknowledge control without the use of words of command,
to behave normally when in the midst of massed Bands playing music,
and when the roads are lined with cheering or noisy crowds,
such as on major State occasions and parades.
As members
of The Household Division, recruits (who join at
age 17 or over) carry out their basic (Phase 1) training at the
Army Training Regiment at Bassingbourn in Hertfordshire, where
they undergo 12 weeks of training in which they learn the
fundamentals of soldiering.
After this basic training, the recruits pass out on a formal parade.
This gives the newly trained soldier the grounding which he will
require for his Phase 2 training - whether commencing with the
Armoured Regiment or the Mounted Regiment.
This
second phase of training takes place at either the Household Cavalry
Training Wing, Combermere Barracks, Windsor (mounted), or at the
Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Centre, Bovington (armoured).
At Windsor, the soldier is introduced to his special to arm training
which
includes driving and - most importantly - riding.
The
Training Wing course lasts for at least 14 weeks, during which time
the soldiers learn to ride, and also decide whether they wish to go
first
to the Mounted Regiment or to the Armoured Regiment.
Most soldiers decide to do the mounted duty before going on to
armoured soldiering, with those preferring to be armoured-trained
going on to Bovington - where they complete their B3 CVR(T) driver's
and Phase 1 signals courses (including vehicle maintenance),
before being posted to Windsor.
Training
A Mounted Dutyman
The
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Training Wing, at Windsor,
aims to train a recruit within 18 weeks from never having ridden a horse
to becoming a fully qualified Mounted Dutyman Class 3, capable of
taking his place in Ceremonial Duties.
Training is carried out through a gradual but sustained progression
of confidence-building exercises on horseback, instruction in horse
management and horsemastership, simple veterinary problems,
and how to clean, fit and wear saddlery and uniform.
The
Khaki Ride
The
first 14 weeks of training (Mounted Equitation Course) take place
at the Household Cavalry Training Wing (HCTW) in Windsor, culminating
in a passing-out parade - in khaki - having been introduced to the
State kit in logical stages.
Recruits
then transfer to Hyde Park Barracks
in Knightsbridge, London, for a further four weeks at the end of
which they pass out in full State kit.
Week
1
Induction Training
As
well as all the necessary administration, induction training
covers an introduction to Horses, Saddlery, Stable Management and
Horse Welfare, an assessment of the recruit's fitness, and full
work induction instruction (NVQ). |
Weeks
2-5
Introduction and Riding Development
Flat work
building from walk to canter, and incorporating
military movement on horseback as a group. Stable Management
development and tests. Veterinarian development and tests.
Development of the soldier's personal fitness, under a Physical
Training Instructor (twice weekly). Numeracy and literacy
assessment, development and testing.
One
48-hour Leave Pass - split half a Ride at a time
(if deemed appropriate). |
Weeks
6-9
Introduction and Jumping Development
Jumping
horses using tried and tested methods (indoor and outdoor
ménages). Flat work building from walk to canter, and incorporating
military movement on horseback as an individual. Stable Management
development and tests. Veterinarian development and tests.
Development
of the soldier's personal fitness, under a Physical
Training Instructor (twice weekly). Adventure
Training weekend.
One
48-hour Leave Pass - split half a Ride at a time
(if deemed appropriate). |
Weeks
10-16
Equitation Skills Development
Riding
and leading horses. Road and park work. Development of
individual Equitation skills. Basic military radio communications.
Personal fitness development under Physical Training Instructor
(twice weekly). Education visit to cultural establishment.
One
48-hour Leave Pass - split half a Ride at a time
(if deemed appropriate). |
Weeks
17-18
Build-up and Delivery of Khaki Pass Out
The
Riding Master undertakes a key inspection of Equine Capability.
State Kit is issued, and instruction on its wearing is provided
- in
preparation for the Kit Ride. Rehearsals take place for the Kit
Ride,
and administration for the move to London is completed. |
Weeks
19-22
Kit Ride
This
takes place at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge (in London)
and culminates in a Pass Out Parade in Hyde Park and in Barracks,
with a VIP Inspecting Officer. Families of participants could be
invited to attend this notable event. |
During
the first few weeks in the Household Cavalry Training Wing
(HCTW), the soldiers will be based at Windsor, and the course is
split into two parts.
The first part forms the "Easy Rider" course (which lasts for five weeks),
where the very basics of civilian riding are taught. The second part
lasts
eight weeks, and is spent "in khaki", and comprises of riding in army
saddlery, and learning all the necessary military drills on horseback.
Like all physical skills, the development of horsemastership requires
progressive fitness and agility training, coupled with continuous practice
of what has been taught.
Since the majority of soldiers have never ridden a horse before,
the course - like all military courses - starts with basics and proceeds
at a pace to suit "the slowest learner". They must also learn how
to march and drill in ceremonial uniform, including jackboots.
The
Kit Ride
The
final (additional) four weeks are devoted to learning to ride in
full ceremonial uniform (known as Full Dress). This training is carried
out
in London, at the Mounted Regiment's barracks in Knightsbridge.
The soldier rides for two hours a day, sometimes more. All that they
have learned about seat and position applies more than ever, because
a weak seat or bad position will make the ride uncomfortable, and make
it more difficult for the rider to achieve what he wants the horse to
do.
This applies all the more because rising to the trot in Full Dress
is not permitted.
The
soldier then learns progressively how to fit all the paraphernalia
of State Dress and Saddlery, from sheepskins with the front arch
underneath, to collar chains and stirrup bosses, from sword slings
to plumes and cuirasses (breast plates).
First and foremost the helmet must be fitted correctly, because a helmet
that is too loose may tip forward or back, and a helmet that is too
tight
will give the wearer an unbearable headache.
The
ride concentrates on troop drills in Hyde Park, and in the
outdoor riding school. On Saturdays they learn to wear cloaks
when mounted, and how to use swords when cloaked.
At the end of the seventeenth week, the Ride passes out in Full Dress
in front of the Commanding Officer.
After two weeks' leave the members of the Ride, now fully qualified
Mounted Dutymen Class 3, are ready to take their place in the troop
to which they are allotted.
All
Troopers aspire to the Richmond Cup, which is awarded to the
trooper judged to be the best turned out in full state uniform, and
for
which two troopers from each troop compete. It is not unknown for
H.M. The Queen to present the Cup, which adds to the thrill of winning.
Incidentally,
training of horses does not prepare them for the huge noise
that can be generated by millions of people lining the streets - such
as
for Jubilee celebrations. The Regiment has its own method
- "rent a crowd"!
In the
weeks leading up to a big parade, non-participating
Household Cavalrymen and their families turn out to subject horses
and riders to organized mayhem, designed to prepare them for the
worst - by banging dustbin lids, waving sticks, blowing whistles,
and bursting balloons.
The results? By the day of the parade, men and horses
take it all in their stride!
