60 horses on Oxford Street 7.30am

[alex b]

The wife was on the way to work this morning & witnessed about 50-60 horses being ridden up Oxford street towards Tottenham Court Rd.

This was going on at around 7.30am this morning.

A quick Google picked up a video & a picture from January where the same thing happened.

Does anyone know what is going on & who they are/belong too ?

[smifffymoto]

Household cavalry?

[Asterix]

It'll be the Water Ride for the Household Cavalry.

We used to do it once a week - normally on Saturdays at some stupid o'clock time in the morning. Was fabulous - London all but empty and you're riding through the streets. Were the riders leading another horse as well?

You often see the same sort of thing around St. John's Wood = Royal Horse Artilery

Edited for the incorrect use of 'your'!

Edited by Asterix on Wednesday 17th March 20:37

[alex b]

Asterix said:

It'll be the Water Ride for the Household Cavalry.

We used to do it once a week - normally on Saturdays at some stupid o'clock time in the morning. Was fabulous - London all but empty and your riding through the streets. Were the riders leading another horse as well?

I thought it might be something like that.

Yes each rider was leading another 2 horses.

Thanks for answer guys

[sleep envy]

Asterix said:

It'll be the Water Ride for the Household Cavalry.

why is it called the water ride?

seen it a few times, very impressive

[Asterix]

sleep envy said:

Asterix said:

It'll be the Water Ride for the Household Cavalry.

why is it called the water ride?

seen it a few times, very impressive

from a website said:

Every day, at 7.00 a.m., the Watering Order sets off
from Hyde Park Barracks and travels down some of the streets
in central London, in order to provide exercise for horses and riders
(including Band members) not participating in the day's
Queen's Life Guard.

The tradition dates from the time when, in battle,
horses were taken from camp each morning to find water to drink,
before setting off into battle - the Ride takes an hour.

http://www.householdcavalry.info/mounted.htm

[sleep envy]

cheers

[knight]

Taken from the Household cavalry's website

Watering Order

Every day, at 7.00 a.m., the Watering Order sets off
from Hyde Park Barracks and travels down some of the streets
in central London, in order to provide exercise for horses and riders
(including Band members) not participating in the day's
Queen's Life Guard.

The tradition dates from the time when, in battle,
horses were taken from camp each morning to find water to drink,
before setting off into battle - the Ride takes an hour.

doh, too slow

Edited by knight on Wednesday 17th March 20:38

[bigandclever]

I've seen them a few times going through Marylebone at early o'clock. I think (though I may be making this up) that the route changes depending pretty much on the whim of whoever is leading them from Hyde Park.

[K50 DEL]

Well you learn something new everyday... the power of PH!!

[Fer]

K50 DEL said:

Well you learn something new everyday... the power of PH!!

I have seen them a few times along Oxford Street, or stopping the traffic around Marble Arch. Impressive to see.

[Speed_Demon]

That's totally awesome. Love the traditional stuff like that.

[K50 DEL]

Speed_Demon said:

That's totally awesome. Love the traditional stuff like that.

Yep... just occasionally it's nice to be reminded that the UK isn't completely buggered.
We do do this traditional stuff well, sadly doubtless the parade will be offensive to some random group or other and be banned in short order.

[Four Cofffee]

They used to wake me up when I lived just off Sloane square. The first few times it is surprising and interesting. Thereafter, perhaps not so.

[Simpo Two]

Bah, my grandfather was a Freeman of the City of London. That meant he could drive swans over London Bridge. Or was it sheep? Anyway, it was better than horses