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THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MOUNTED REGIMENT
SHORT TERM TRAINING TEAM
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
by Captain H R C Stone
The Blues and Royals
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Following a pre-pandemic visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2017, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) dusted off their passports and ventured back to the Caribbean. We deployed a short-term training team (STTT) with five specialists, including farriers, saddlers, veterinary and riding instructors. As well as continuing our long-standing relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Mounted Police (TTPS), we also developed ties with the British High Commission.
The team selected for the tropical tour were Captain Stone, Captain Thomas, and Captain Scholes, Corporal of Horse Murden-Wade and Lance Corporal of Horse Adams. We left London on 19th February 2024 on a typically gloomy and drizzly day, with every expectation of Caribbean sunshine, and we were not to be disappointed.
Upon arrival, the team were treated to the VIP experience by the TTPS: blue lights, sirens, and a stay in the Hilton in Port of Spain! It was here that we met Her Excellency Harriet Cross, the British High Commissioner, to share a drink and explain what we would be doing during our two-week visit. We were soon tasting hottest sauce the team have ever had, despite it being described as ‘slight’ by the locals.
Our first exposure to early morning rides in the Caribbean. Very different to London in February! |
The first few days was mostly fact-finding and observing, so the team could understand where best to direct their expertise. We also enjoyed some cultural exchange with the TTPS team, which included sampling the local Angostura Rum and showing how terrible the UK team were at carnival dancing. Professionally, the team wasted no time, with Corporal of Horse Murden-Wade jumping under a horse within minutes of arrival to start shoeing. Meanwhile, the rest of the team got to grips with their respective departments, absorbing the local know-how, and improvising with our limited equipment.
Lance Corporal of Horse Adams was particularly impressed by the saddlery department, who were working with extremely limited leather and tools, but were managing to fix and improve equipment where possible, even managing to patch up Captain Stone’s boots and whip, which had seen better days thanks to the Caribbean heat!
In the initial phase the team were put through their paces during riding lessons with the TTPS, where the Riding Master was given a ‘strong’ horse in what could be interpreted as an attempt to see just how good he was!
As the training phase progressed, the focus shifted from the UK team observing the departments’ work, to creating tailored lessons, focusing on the four key areas of: farriery, saddlery, veterinary practices, and riding instruction. Corporal of Horse Murden-Wade taught the farriers department theoretical knowledge, right up to how to hot shoe and make basic shoes from scratch, as well as how to adjust these to suit the horses’ needs as opposed to a ‘one shoe fits all’ approach. He was impressed by the farriers; they had much practical knowledge, but lacked theory, yet were quickly able to grasp what they were being taught.
Our saddler, Lance Corporal of Horse Adams, focused on teaching the TTPS and local saddle clubs on how to correctly fit horse furniture and saddles, an invaluable skill given horses were using generic equipment which damaged their backs. Throughout the training it was noted that Lance Corporal of Horse was an in-demand member of the team, given there is not one qualified saddler throughout the Caribbean, leading to our worry that he might be recruited to stay there!
The team with the British High Commissioner and senior members of the Trinidad and Tobago Mounted Police
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Finally, we focused on veterinary and riding which was where Captain Scholes and Captain Thomas stepped in. They delivered intensive sessions, covering everything from basic horsemanship and diagnosis, up to the finer points of schooling horses and treatments that could be given to the TTPS horses to increase their lifespan.
The trip was not all work and no play! The HCMR team made the most of every opportunity to socialise with the TTPS, sampling some of the fine Caribbean rums, sooka music, wine tastings with a local sommelier, and sampled of the local nightlife. It is fair to say that after several weeks we concluded that rum is not just a drink, it’s a way of life.
 Army of the 1800s at the British High Commissioner’s house
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The HCMR team were also hard at work at diplomatic relations, attending a drinks reception attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners. Wearing their mess dress at the British High Commission, the team could be mistaken for thinking they were back in the Army of the 1800s. Following this, we were invited to a dinner at the High Commissioner’s house, and had the opportunity to meet the Chief of Defence Staff, the head of policing, and head of the coast guard.
We also explored Port of Spain and enjoyed some local delicacies known as ‘doubles’: unsweetened donut dough with hot curry in the centre. We visited the local beaches, and even had time for a rather embarrassing masterclass in cricket. One of the special highlights of the trip was a gallop around the savannah in Port of Spain.
The team tasting the local delicacy of ‘doubles’
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Towards the end of our visit, the team spent some time in Tobago, often referred to as Trinidad’s more beautiful cousin. We sailed to deserted islands, enjoyed some sunbathing, and prepared ourselves for a return to a bleaker UK.
The trip a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the relationship between HCMR and the TTPS. As our partnership develops, we look forward to hopefully hosting the TTPS team in London in the near future.
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