As a Mounted Gunner in The King’s Troop, there is the opportunity to ride in both Point to Points and the Military Races at Sandown.
For those with little or no racing experience there is the King’s Troop race held every year at the end of January on the Royal Artillery meeting. This is a 2 mile 4 furlong race held over the Larkhill 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 training for the race begins in October where suitable horses and jockeys are selected and paired up. The horses continue with their routine exercise but are gradually introduced to canter work and jumping small chase fences. They progress onto faster flat work and schooling over full size fences nearer the day of the race.
The jockeys attend a training course with the British Racing School at Newmarket for advice on race riding, position and fitness. This training is then put to good use back at St John’s Wood on our own mechanical horse.
For those with a little more experience there are a number of point to point fixtures during the early part of the season with races open to serving members of the Armed Forces which lead onto the two biggest race meetings of the year. The Gunners are fortunate enough to host their own race at a Grade A track; The Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown in mid February. This is open to all members of the Armed Forces and there is still a trophy for the first serving gunner across the line. As a serving Gunner there is money available to help pay for your jockey training and amateur licence.
This race is followed 3 weeks later by The Grand Military which is also held at Sandown. It is a great opportunity for officers and soldiers to ride quality horses for some of the top trainers in the country and further their racing careers.
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