Major General declares Household Cavalry fit for duties after annual inspection

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment took to the grass of Hyde Park for their annual inspection in the heart of the capital.

The parade took place the day after five of the regiment's horses bolted through central London having been spooked during their daily morning exercise.

The Household Cavalry has passed the annual inspection of the Major General, getting the green light to conduct this year's ceremonial duties.

• Injured soldiers to make full return to duty after being thrown from bolting horses
• If the shoe fits: How Army Farriers keep Household Cavalry horses fit and healthy
• How does the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment prepare for a state visit?

More than 150 horses and nearly 200 participants, adorned in their iconic black, red, and gold uniforms, paraded before a small but appreciative audience on the old football pitch in Hyde Park.

Police officers mounted on horses and bicycles controlled the growing crowd of spectators, giving stern instructions to stay away from the rope that marked the designated parade area.

Meanwhile, VIP guests watched the procession take place from the comfort of two carriages provided by the regiment.

The regiment was inspected by Major General James Bowder, General Officer Commanding the Household Division.

Mounted atop Jumping Jack, wearing a white plumed hat, the major general rode in between the mounted troops inspecting each row of horses and riders.

Leading up to the inspection the horses had followed a fitness regime since January to build muscle for ceremonial duties and received an equine makeover in the form of hours of grooming.

Most of the riders had been up since the early hours putting the finishing polishing touches to their silver cuirasses and jack boots. It can take up to 200 hours to get a pair of boots to parade standard.

Having now passed their inspection, the Household Cavalry braces for yet another busy year ahead, which includes the upcoming King's Birthday Parade, or Trooping the Colour, in June.

In the last few years, the Household Cavalry has faced an exceptional period of duty, playing a key role in the Duke of Edinburgh's state funeral in 2021, Her Majesty's the Queen's final farewell in 2022, and the coronation in 2023.

The regiment is also still working through events backlogged from the pandemic, with several state visits still pending on their agenda.