Two of the Household Cavalry horses that got loose in London on April 24, 2024. Photo:
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment shared an encouraging update about the soldiers and horses that were injured during a scary incident in London.
After five horses were “spooked by construction rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel from height close to them” during a morning ride with the Life Guards on April 24, photos of the injured animals — especially Cavalry Black Trojan and Cavalry Grey Vida covered in blood — bolting through the Belgravia neighborhood of the capital city circulated around the world. On June 4, the Household Cavalry revealed that the five soldiers and five horses involved in the incident “are continuing to make remarkable progress in their recovery.”
Three of the horses — Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish — are expected to take part in Trooping the Colour, the annual public celebration of King Charles‘ birthday in London, on June 15, a development that the Household Cavalry called “against all expectations.” Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish are all back on duty after spending time recuperating at The Horse Trust in Chiltern Hills, located about an hour’s drive outside the city.
The two most injured horses, Vida and Quaker, underwent operations following the incident. However, the Household Cavalry revealed they were recently deemed fit to travel to The Horse Trust where they’ll continue their recovery.
Trooping the Colour on June 9, 2018.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“Vida and Quaker have made a remarkable physical recovery and showed great enthusiasm and joy upon their arrival at The Horse Trust, galloping into fresh pastures,” the Household Cavalry said. “Vida, the Cavalry Grey, wasted no time in turning from white to brown as he rolled in the grass. The horses appeared bright and in good spirits, clearly displaying a close bond with each other and the soldiers who accompanied them.”
Vida and Quaker are expected to return to work “in due time.”
Meanwhile, three of the injured soldiers are back on duty. An additional two soldiers are continuing their recovery but are expected to make a full return to service.
Two of the Household Cavalry horses that got loose in London on April 24, 2024.
Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images
Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward, Commanding Officer HCMR, said in a statement, “All five of the horses injured during the incident on 24th April are recovering with remarkable speed, and it is very likely that Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish will participate in the King’s Birthday Parade later this month. The remaining two, Vida and Quaker, are enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns thanks to The Horse Trust. They are expected to make a full recovery, and we look forward to seeing them back on duty in due course.”
Jeanette Allen, Chief Executive Officer at The Horse Trust, said, “It has been a privilege to provide these wonderful horses with the space and time needed to fully recover. It’s been so lovely to see Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish enjoying such a relaxing break, and now we have Vida and Quaker already loving their time here.”
“All five horses are much younger than our regular service residents, and seeing them running, rolling and generally having fun after such a challenging experience is a real joy,” Allen added.
From left: Prince William, King Charles and Princess Anne ride on horseback at Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Trooping the Colour serves as the official birthday celebration of the British monarch. Each June — regardless of when the king or queen’s birthday actually falls to take advantage of the summer weather — over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians process through London as part of the festivities, with members of the royal family participating in the parade on horseback or in carriages.
For the grand finale of the event, the royals gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast, an aerial display over the city, by the Royal Air Force.
The Ministry of Defense recently confirmed that Trooping the Colour will go on as planned this year despite the reduction in royal outings ahead of the U.K.’s election. It was also confirmed that King Charles will attend the eventamid his cancer treatment, with a small change from previous years. Instead of riding on horseback, the 75-year-old monarch will ride in a horse-drawn carriage alongside Queen Camilla.
