Left Section is staying in Blackpool as guests of the World Horse Welfare Centre at Penny Farm. The King's Troop has a close link with Penny Farm as one of the troop's horses, Penny, was among the first rescue cases to be handled by the staff at Penny Farm when the centre opened back in 2001.
Nursed back to full health, Penny later joined the King's Troop and has taken part in many high-profile ceremonial parades and events, including the Queen Mother's funeral. Penny, an Irish Draught mare, is among the 36 horses of Left Section which are now 'on holiday' in Blackpool.
Captain Max Chenery, Commander of Left Section, said:
"For a week every year the whole King's Troop goes away on various camps across the country.
"We always send a section up to Blackpool because we have got a link with Penny Farm, the World Horse Welfare Centre. It gives the horses and soldiers a rest from ceremonial duties in London.
"We try to get the horses out onto the beach, have a swim and a gallop down the sand, and also there are some fields at Penny Farm where the horses go out to grass. It is just a bit of rest for them, and us, from the public duties in London."
Among the soldiers is Gunner Emma Hudson for whom this year's visit to Blackpool is a return to the venue where she decided to join the Army a year ago:
"I came to an Open Day at Penny Farm and the King's Troop was here. I have been riding since I was four or five, so when I started chatting to the recruiting staff and realised what opportunities where available, I decided to join."
Gunner Hudson completed her basic training in December and joined The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery:
"I rode in my first parade at Queen's Life Guards [a daily Changing of the Guard] and my mum came down to see me - she was very proud! Life has changed a lot for me over this last year and I really enjoy it. And it is great to be back here in the North West galloping on the beach."
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, based in St John's Wood, central London, has about 130 horses and is divided into three sections - Left, Centre and Right.
Its official duties, as part of the Household Troops, include the firing of royal salutes in Hyde Park on royal anniversaries and state occasions, and providing a gun carriage and team of black horses for state and military funerals.
The King's Troop also takes part in ceremonial occasions such as Remembrance Sunday, the Lord Mayor's Show and the Queen's Birthday Parade.
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