The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery visited the British Racing School (BRS) for 3 days in October 2008 and again with the Troop horses on 19th January 2009 to train for the annual Troop Race.

Kings Troop

The Troop race is held on 24th January 2009 on the Royal Artillery meeting at Larkhill. This is a 2 mile 4 furlong race held over the point-to-point fences and is open only to serving members of The Troop. The race is subject to the same rules as any other point-to-point and requires the same preparation, but is carried out over a slightly shorter distance using Gun Team horses.

The three days of training in October at the BRS was a bespoke riding course to give advice on race riding, jockey position and fitness. The troops were subjected to rigorous training on the simulators (which they carried out with not as much as a whimper of pain according to the jockey coach Richard Perham), lectures on racing tactics, and of course riding tuition on the BRS horses.

With the race only days away, the Troop Horses that are being used in the race (some of which are gun horses) were boxed up to the BRS to have their final gallop and school over a line of hurdles and chase fences. Troop leader Captain Harry Wallace led the field as they lined up in pairs to jump, and it was soon apparent that there was a need for this session before the race. Captain Wallace explained,

"the ground has been so frozen we have struggled to gallop and school the horses and a few are having sight of proper fences for the first time so we are delighted to be given the opportunity to use these fantastic facilities".

Having jumped a number of times all of the horses became fluent, if not fast over the obstacles.

The BRS wish all of the riders and horses a safe and successful day.