CONGRATULATIONS to 30-year-old Trooper Wilkinson, of Tenby, on completion of his equine training with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who on the day of his Kit Ride Pass Out, on June 29, joined The Life Guards.

The inspecting officer was Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Colonel of The Blues and Royals.

The ride, as a collective, has just completed a 16-week riding course.

This can be a ‘zero to hero’ course, as the majority of the soldiers have never seen a horse before.

They are taught to walk, trot, canter and jump, before finally adding the full state uniform. This ensures that horse and rider are both competent and confident before they begin ceremonial duty.

Many of the soldiers will find themselves on the Spanish State Visit later this summer.

Typically the soldiers will serve two years on ceremonial duty based at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge.

After this they will move to Windsor undertaking the Armoured Cavalry role, soon to be equipped with Ajax, the Army’s new armoured reconnaissance vehicle.