WITH the focus so often on equestrian sport and leisure, it can be easy to forget the workforce of horses carrying out important jobs behind the scenes across the UK - the more than 200 police horses patrolling our city streets, the 450-plus military horses that are so essential in the pomp and pageantry for which the UK is renowned, and the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) horses who enrich the lives of some 17,000 disabled children and adults. Here, we celebrate some of these working heroes who've had a stellar career.
Storm
Stats: 21-year-old, 17hh, Irish Draught, grey gelding
CV: served 15 years in the Royal Mews and retired to The Horse Trust in 2022
STORM spent 15 years as a state ceremonial carriage horse, pulling the carriage for Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family. His impressive CV includes many events at the height of pomp and pageantry - the Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding in 2011, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, alongside many state visits, state openings of Parliament and parades at Royal Ascot.
Described as "strong, but soft and kind in nature and completely bombproof", he retired in 2022.
"Storm lives up to his name - I sometimes think he never got the memo from the Royal Mews that he is retired," says Steven Grice, equine care officer at The Horse Trust. "He loves to cavort around with the rest of the herd and even though he is one of the oldest members of his group, he definitely gets stuck right in if there is any mischief to be had."
Esta historia es de la edición November 09, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 09, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
