A FULL hall was warmly welcomed by Andover group’s chairman, Mary Childs, opening the 45th annual meeting of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

In addition to the usual business, there were two speakers, both talking about the bond between horse and rider.

Amy Goodman, a sculptor based at Project Workshops in Quarley, and artist in residence at Winchester University, talked about some of her previous work up until she won, “the commission of her career”.

The Romsey War Horse was unveiled in July 2015 — but Amy did 18 months research before even knowing she had won the commission! This life-size sculpture of a First World War horse and his lower rank trooper, sited in Romsey Memorial Park, honours the men, mules and horses that lost their lives in the war, many of them having come through Romsey Remount Depot where 120,000 horses were trained for their war work.

The project started with scaffold poles, wire and up to 850 kilos of clay worked until leather-hard. It then involved an exhibition at Christies, words from Michael Morpurgo, a hanging 3D mobile in Romsey Abbey and ended with a procession through Romsey with soldiers and horses from The Kings Troop, Joey from ‘War Horse’, Princess Anne and a 103 year old war veteran who then ‘liked’ Amy on Facebook afterwards! It was an amazing local story.

The business of election and re-election was conducted for the Andover Group, which has over 100 active volunteers and 80 pupils from four local schools, as well as adult riders and carriage driving.

Discussion topics included pony sponsorship, a move away from fully subsidising riders and a call for electric bikes to allow outriders to keep up with the carriage drivers! Also discussed was a move to Charitable Incorporated Organisation status in 2017 and a petition for use of CCTV in all equine slaughterhouses in the UK.

Thankfully the treasurer’s report concluded that the group was in a sound position. So the electric bikes may be buzzing around Binley sooner rather than later!

Lt-Col Neil Cross of The Royal Artillery then gave a presentation about a year in the life of a Kings Troop Horse, having commanded a section for three years. He briefly outlined the troop’s history. It was originally set up to provide a horsed artillery in the 18th century. Post WW2 King George VI commissioned them to provide ceremonial duties in London — their first task being his birthday salute.

The work of a Kings Troop horse is cyclical and has changed little over the years. A new year starts with new horses being trained in time for the first royal salute in February. In true military fashion it’s timed to tie in with the ‘bongs’ of Big Ben — the Queen apparently listening to check! Road work and gun-pulling happens through March before inspections and a first salute at gallop in April (apparently there is usually a loose horse in Hyde Park after this!). The Windsor Horse show, birthday salutes for Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh and Trooping of the Colour, keep the horses busy in the middle of the year.

August sees them in London relieving the Household Cavalry for three weeks, with tales of tourists being kicked and bitten ... before they head off for their holidays on the coast in September. Like all holiday-makers, horses and troopers alike enjoy relaxing, swimming in the sea, being on the beach and buckets (of feed!).

October means back on duty for the State Opening of Parliament before the final — and most polished — salute for the Prince of Wales’ birthday in November, followed by downtime and choosing of new horses. And the cycle starts all over again.

Interestingly, whilst the calendar may not have changed too much, the troopers have, with women now comprising 49 per cent of troopers when there were only two 16 years ago.

A great evening with fascinating speakers meant a very enjoyable annual meeting for everyone.

There was talk of a Rio Olympic medal winner for 2017’s annual meeting and meantime fundraising continues with dog walks, tack sales and skittles evenings.

For full information have a look at group’s website, http://www.andover-rda.org.uk