Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment - The Musical Ride
The United Kingdom equine musical display team of Queen Elizabeth II’s Household Cavalry have accepted an invitation from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) to perform for the first time in the Middle East during AIDHEX 2009. The 28 horses and 36 soldiers that make up the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s team of horse riders called ‘The Musical Ride’ will exhibit their traditional equine skills in iconic British ceremonial uniform set to music. The special performances will take place between 30th September, 1st, 2nd & 3rd October 2009 in Abu Dhabi at ADIHEX.
The Musical Ride’s participation underlines the very strong ties between Britain and Abu Dhabi and a shared knowledge and passion for all things equestrian. Part of the purpose of ADIHEX is to act as bridge between the many equine cultures and traditions around the world. The Musical Ride’s performances in Abu Dhabi represent a significant milestone in the evolution of ADIHEX as a truly international event.
Regimental History
The Household Cavalry consists of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals. They are the oldest and most senior regiments in the British Army and are split between two different units equipped to perform two quite different roles. The Household Cavalry Regiment has an operational role in armoured fighting vehicles which has seen them at the forefront of Britain’s military operations. The regiments are Guards Regiments and, with the five Foot Guards Regiments, form the Household Division.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is equipped with horses. It is their unique privilege to meet the requirement to carry out mounted and some dismounted ceremonial duties on State and Royal occasions which include the provision of a Sovereign’s Escort most commonly seen at the Queen’s Birthday Parade in June each year. Other occasions include Sovereign’s Escorts for Her Majesty The Queen during State Visits by visiting Heads of State, and as required by Her Majesty anywhere in the Kingdom. They maintain a world-famous tradition dating back to 1660.
In summary: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment provides the Queen’s Life Guard daily and Sovereign’s Escort on State occasions, mounted on horseback. They maintain their world-famous traditions dating back to 1660.
Brief History of the constituent Regiments
The Life Guards are the senior regiment of the British Army and date back to just before the Restoration of King Charles II, a Royal Mounted Bodyguard was formed in Holland from eighty Royalists who had gone into exile with The King in 1652. In March 1660, The King appointed Officers to three Troops of Horse Guards. These Troops were formed on The King’s return to England and remained ever since.
The Blues and Royals were formed in 1969 from an amalgamation of the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons). The Royal Horse Guards trace their origins back to a force raised by Oliver Cromwell prior to the second invasion of Scotland, but the parliamentary officers were replaced by royalists in 1660.
Musical Ride Overview
The Household Cavalry Musical Ride consists of 28 horses and 36 soldiers. An Officer of the Rank of Captain commands the Ride and The Riding Master to HM The Queen, is responsible for the equitation training at the Regiment and he consequently trains and choreographs the Ride. The senior Non-Commissioned Officer (The Household Cavalry Rank is a Corporal of the Horse) is responsible for the day to day running of the Ride and its administration. The Musical Ride is viewed by the UK Armed forces to be the pinnacle of military equitation. The Ride demonstrates its skills by a performing a series of routines during the display.
Members of the ride receive 4 weeks training prior to their first show of the season and this training is continued throughout the year. The majority of the soldiers have been in the army for less than 2 years and have all reached the level of excellence required by the Riding Master to perform on the Ride. The full ride on display is made up of the Musical Ride Officer, the Drum Horse, four trumpeters, four rough riders and sixteen outriders. Other requirements might be to announce the start of a polo match or to present prizes after a show jumping competition. The Ride can be accompanied by a Mounted or dismounted band or it may perform to music played over loud speakers. The Ride will perform equally well to military music or depending on the environment it may perform to more modern music.
History of The Household Cavalry Musical Ride
The Musical Ride has been a part of the public face of the Household Cavalry for many years. It first performed at The Royal Tournament in 1882. The format is based on a series of cavalry drill movements set to music, and has changed very little over the years. Soldiers on the Ride wear exactly the same uniforms as those worn by The Household Cavalry Regiment on parade, but lances take the place of swords.
Four members of the Ride wear stable dress that dates from the 1820s, and which is considerably less constricting than the full ceremonial uniform (or cuirasses as they are known). Unencumbered by heavy breast plates and plumed helmets, they are able to demonstrate traditional Household Cavalry skills. It takes them four months of practice to get their horses to lie down (and stay down)at their command - a demonstration that recalls the days when horses went to battle, and a rider trained his mount to lie down so that he could hide behind it.
The Musical Ride forms in March each year, to allow three months of hard training before public performances begin in May. Men and horses are picked from The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Squadrons of The Household Cavalry Regiment based at Knightsbridge. The men are chosen for their ability to ride well, and the horses selected for their temperament and athleticism. It is not unusual for a very young trooper to join the Ride even though he may only have ridden for a matter of months. The Musical Ride travels to shows all over Great Britain. In between performances, The Musical Ride returns to London to take part in all State Occasions.
