The winners of this year’s Army Photographic Competition were announced last week (28 October) at a ceremony held at The Royal Hospital Chelsea — with these striking equestrian images taking centre stage.
‘Gun Team’: winner of the professional portfolio award, taken by Sgt Rupert Frere of the Royal Logistics Core
Sgt Rupert Frere captured the horses and artillerymen of the King’s Troop putting on a demonstration of their world famous musical drive for the Major General in Charlton Park in April.
The inspection determines whether the unit is fit to perform ceremonial and public duties for the next 12 months.
The inspection began at their purpose built equestrian centre and offices in George VI Lines, Woolwich with the Major General rigorously inspecting the standard of kit, the soldiers, the officers and the guns.
The men and women of The Troop spent several days polishing leather and brass, and behind every groomed mane, perfectly trimmed tail and glinting spur lay hours of physical effort, dedication and very early mornings.
Then the inspection moved to Charlton Park where members of the public witnessed a world class display involving 68 magnificently turned out horses and 59 soldiers performing the musical drive.
Continued below…
Happy 70th Birthday to the King’s Troop! Go behind the scenes at their stables in London
Today (19 October 2017) the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will parade in Hyde Park to mark its 70th anniversary.
‘Surf’s up’: winner of the professional sport award, taken by Sgt Rupert Frere
Sgt Rupert Frere took this photo of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery when they had left the noise and confines of London for equestrian and military training in the rural West Country.
Enjoying the best of the Indian Summer in Cornwall, 12 horses and riders from Centre Section left their temporary stables in RAF St Mawgan just after dawn to take to the surf on Watergate Bay Beach. The freedom and bracing sea breezes are a world away from the unit’s high-profile day-to-day ceremonial activities in the busy capital.
‘Ceremonial selfie’: runner-up in the professional portfolio category, taken by Cpl Jamie Peters of the Royal Logistics Core
Cpl Jamie Peters captured this moment in the stables before the Colonel’s Review in June when a Grenadier Guard took the opportunity for a selfie with one of the ceremonial horses involved in the parade.
It was a double Welsh celebration on Horse Guards Parade as 1,100 soldiers, more than 350 musicians and almost 250 military horses performed the Colonel’s Review under the expert eye of HRH The Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales was celebrating 40 years as the Regimental Colonel of the Welsh Guards and the Welsh Guards were celebrating their centenary.
