The sport of kings

THE past military influence in many of the competitive equestrian sports is sometimes forgotten. The most obvious is eventing, which came into being as an officers’ test at the start of the 20th century and for many years was referred to on the Continent as “The Military”. It became an Olympic discipline in 1912.

Showjumping, racing and polo all had a services’ following before the war, but a golden era was about to begin. It was therefore no big surprise that many of the administrators of these sports came from the armed services.

For more than 50 years, one unit has punched way above its weight in providing sport directors, stewards, team managers, performance directors and a host of other tasks and indeed in the competitive fields. That unit is The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.