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The morning of the 16th October dawned bright and sunny – a good omen for the day of the London Riding Horse Parade.
A total of 54 horses and riders converged on Rotten Row, Hyde Park to take part in the Parade, which is an annual event in London’s equestrian calendar.
As well as many private individuals, the parade was supported by entries from Vauxhall City Farm, Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, Wimbledon Village Stables, Dulwich Riding School, Oaklands College and Ebony Horse Club.
Amongst the entries was an enormous Clydesdale, a tiny Welsh pony, a Hanoverian stallion, two retired police horses, not forgetting a very hairy traditional Gypsy Cob and several rescue horses/ponies!
The Show Ring judge, Lucy Fisher and ring steward, Jane Ketts, were very impressed with the variety of equines entered and the turnout of all the riders. All of the entries were very well behaved and they had a very difficult job judging all the classes.
The Condition and Turnout classes were also a great success. Debbie Obard and Alice Heaver judged both horse and rider on standard of turnout – which the noted was incredibly high - whilst Angela Jones BVSc, MRCVS assessed the condition and soundness of the horse. Kings Troop Farriers Lee Deeley and Ollie Greenslade had their work cut out assessing the feet of all 54 entries……back-breaking work!!!!
It is one of the aims of the Parade to send people home bedecked in ribbons – and as well as awarding rosettes to those competitors who were placed, there was also a special rosette for the highest placed British Horse Society member in each class. Even those entries who were not fortunate enough to be placed received a commemorative purple & red London Riding Horse Parade rosette!
Throughout the day there were crowds of spectators lined up along Rotten Row to watch the spectacle and the hardworking Parade Officials fielded many questions from intrigued Londoners!
At 3.30 all entries assembled for the traditional “Parade” which takes the form of a half hour circular ride – in walk – along Rotten Row.
Metropolitan Police Mounted Officer PC Paul Hyde and PC Claudia Gittens arrived to lead the Parade and the majority of people had a fantastic ride, taking the cavalcade of 54 horse and riders in their smartest outfits round the South end of Hyde Park.
On returning from the parade all the winners of the previous classes were asked to present themselves for the judging of the Championship Class.
Parade President Joyce Bellamy joined Lucy Fisher to judge the class – which proved very difficult to call. In the end a decision was made and they announced Paula Keeley and Disraeli as Supreme Champions.
Paula, a BHSI from Liss, Hampshire, rode her own horse Disraeli, a 24 yo Dark bay Hanoverian stallion. Paula is a registered BHS Instructor and also trains for BD and the Side Saddle Association. The pair have won numerous side-saddle events and were thrilled to be declared Supreme Champions. As well as taking home the Southern Equestrian Services Perpetual Challenge Shield, Paula also received a voucher for Afternoon Tea for Two from The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane.
Joyce and Lucy named the Reserve Champion as Sharon Williamson who rode Molly, a 13’2” skewbald Cob, belonging to Vauxhall City Farm. Sharon volunteers and rides at Vauxhall City Farm and, along with 4 other entries, hacked to the Parade from the stables in Vauxhall, across the bridge, through the London traffic to get to Hyde Park!
Everyone was smiling and saying what a lovely day they had enjoyed – and lots of ponies & horses were stuffed full of mints and carrots as a reward for behaving so brilliantly!
The immense cost of running such an event in a Royal Park could never be passed on wholly to the entrants; therefore a huge thank you must go to our many sponsors and patrons.
It must also be noted that the London Riding Horse Parade is run wholly by volunteers who give up their time for free. A special mention must go out to everyone who has been involved with the Parade this year. Without these willing and capable people the Parade could not go ahead.
Next year's Parade is hanging in the balance – with changes to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and rising costs from the Royal Parks proving to be a challenge. However, all news about the future of the parade will be posted here and and on our Facebook page.
Claire McCaffery-Clarke
Show Director
FOR A FULL LIST OF RESULTS CLICK HERE