Household Cavalry on parade in Kelso Square

The Household Cavalry are visiting Kelso over the August Bank Holiday weekend to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Borders Festival of the Horse, taking with them 28 horses and 36 troopers.

On the Saturday afternoon (27 August) they are to parade in Kelso Square (2.30pm) offering a superb photo opportunity as they form up and perform a fanfare before providing a guard of honour for Kelso bride Jane Vass, who is marrying Peter Kelly, an engineer from Bathgate at the Cross Keys Hotel that afternoon.

Jane said: “It was a total surprise when The British Horse Society Scotland rang out of the blue to explain that the Household Cavalry would be in the Square just after we arrived at the hotel and they would like to offer us a guard of honour. “We are thrilled to be having the same horses and riders that escorted William and Catherine at the Royal wedding forming up for us on our wedding day!”

The Provost of Kelso, Fiona Scott, was equally delighted at the honour such a parade will bestow on the town of Kelso, she said: “It is, indeed, a privilege for Kelso to receive an official visit from the Household Cavalry. I am greatly looking forward to the unique and impressive spectacle that this regimental parade will create within our historic cobbled Square. It will certainly be a memorable event for our community.”

On Sunday 28 August they will perform their thrilling and daring full musical ride at Floors Castle – around 20-25 minutes long and never before seen in Scotland. The Musical Ride has been a part of the public face of the Household Cavalry for many years. It was first performed at The Royal Tournament in 1882 and the format is based on a series of cavalry drill movements set to music which has changed little over the years.

Notes for Editors:

The Riding Master and Officer in Charge (Anton Lin), the Master of the Horse (Mark Avison) and, indeed, any of the troopers, are available for interview and filming on any of the days during the weekend. To arrange access, please contact Helene Mauchlen, BHS Scotland Regional Development Officer, on 01764 656334, 07808 141077, or email: h.mauchlen@bhs.org.uk.

For pictures, please contact Claire Ellis on 02476 840465 or email c.ellis@bhs.org.uk

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