Page 35 - Chiron Autumn/Winter 2023

OP GOLDEN ORB 23
April saw the start of the main rehearsals for Op GOLDEN ORB 23. Of course, planning had been taking place behind the scenes for several months prior to this. Regimental drills and Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) drills had started in full at the middle of the month. Rehearsals had to be fitted in around the normal daily output of King’s Life Guard (KLG) and Standards parades.
Sunday 30 April 23 was the daylight rehearsal at RAF Odiham, involving all marching troops, dismounted riders, street liners, Section Commanders, and marshals. Several hundred personnel were involved from across the Military.
The first big run through was the overnight rehearsal (ONR) on 2 May. After a normal morning in work and an early knock off to rest, everyone turned back into work at 2000 hours. Troops disseminated to different locations, depending on their position on the day. Maj Bullard, Capt Thomas, LSgt Eagle and I deployed to Wellington barracks, ready to forward mount to Whitehall and The Mall. The Household cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) turned out four divisions of Cavalry
Blacks, plus a full mounted band and the Household Division, a grand total of 160 Military Working Horses (MWHs) and riders. It mostly went off smoothly, with no major issues. Our main concerns being the very cold (but mercifully dry) weather. It was a long but productive night, all Troops and MWHs returning safely to barracks by approximately 0500 the following morning.
Day light preparations involved exercising the MWHs around London, concentrating on the main parade routes. Stadium seating around Buckingham Palace and
the vast media set up was initially daunting, especially for the
younger MWHs. At this stage in the proceedings, hard core supporters and tourists were camping out along The Mall, staking out their places to ensure the best view of the parade. This adds to the atmosphere but also means that extra desensitisation training is required to allow the MWHs to become accustomed to the tents, tarpaulins, flags and general noise and visual distractions. We also received intelligence suggesting that MWHs and troops may be targeted by protesters on the day. This had to be factored into the
training and preparation. Two days later, on 4 May we
repeated the process for a full dress ONR. Any kinks or issues highlighted from the first ONR being ironed out successfully.
The big day arrived on 6 May, raining, chilly and grey from the outset. The usual LONDIST veterinary team of Maj Curnick and Maj McRink, Capt Thomas and Capt Lane- Ley, Sgt Moore, Sgt Walters and LSgt Eagle were augmented by several visiting vets. Lt Col O’Flynn, Maj Telfer, Maj Tannahill, Maj Bullard, and Maj Bates, Capt Bowman and Lt Adams travelled to London to assist on the day, providing vet cover in various locations.
It was a momentous day, likely a one off for most, if not all of us. The hours of planning, practising, kit and uniform preparation, marching and standing in wet weather were worth it for a front and centre view of the parade.
Soldiers and horses returned to barracks, happy, proud, tired, and sodden. No time to rest though. Kit was turned around and packed as the Musical Ride (MR) deployed to Royal Windsor Horse Show (RWHS) the next day on Ex Copper Lance 23.
(L–R) Sgt Moore, Capt Thomas, Maj Bates, Maj McRink, Maj Curnick, Maj Tannahill,
Maj Bullard, Maj Telfer, Lt Adams, LSgt Eagle
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