Thousands descend on Lambourn as the sun shines on racehorses - and on the cavalry
It is not very often you see a troop of the Household Cavalry - in full ceremonial dress - moving calmly down a farm track in Lambourn. As it happens, they had just emerged from Lambourn Open Day's show ring and the hectic moves of their new musical ride.
Lambourn - village and valley - was packed with visitors for the 25th Open Day, all making the most of the brilliant Good Friday sunshine (March 25.) They came from far and wide - certainly from Swindon and from Birmingham. The crowd was estimated at 12,000.
In the morning they crowded into the twenty-six training yards that were open for the public. Notices reminded visitors that some horses bite and they should not feed or touch any of them - but for many that was a notice too far and horses got a good amount of touchy attention.
A lesson in progress at Dan Kubler's yardAlong the way they could have taken in a lesson in how the horse works from equine chiropractor Nicole Rossa. She had with her some 3-D graphics - co-operative as long as the hay lasted. Turn the horse round and Ms Rossa could show visitors a colour representation of its important muscles.
Oliver Sherwood's Rhonehurst yard was one of the most popular destinations. And there you could catch a glimpse of last year's Aintree Crabbie's Grand National winner Many Clouds - not to mention winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and the Betbright Cup Chase at Cheltenham and all for an initial investment at the sales of six thousand Euros.
The crowds waiting for Many Clouds to emerge for a quick two circuits was immense. Many Clouds is a bit camera shy and photographers had to be alert to catch his quick glance out of his box - just making sure there was still a crowd there?
At the Sherwood yard Rayvin Black needed a minder - he's a bit 'spirited'
Travelling Head Girl Lisa Kozak & Oliver Sherood
Many Clouds led by Chris Jerdin - with fans
Oliver Sherwood explained that he did not want Many Clouds to get too wound up with only two weeks to go before his return to Aintree's Grand National course. But he relented and two circuits of the yard became three.
Also very popular was Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard - home to the come- back-kid Sprinter Sacre. Fresh from winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, he joined three Gold Cup winners for the afternoon's Parade of Equine heroes.
Before that parade, the show ground had all manner of food, trade and charity stands - and all manner of entertainments. A parade of the local hunt complete with some straying hounds, a display by lurchers from the distant north-east of England and the Shetland Grand National with jockeys not much taller than their mounts.
And, of course, the Household Cavalry. This was a newly designed musical ride by the troop made up of eight soldiers from the Life Guards and eight from the Blues and Royals - in the uniform and accoutrements they wear for state ceremonials and which they would once have fought. With them the drum horses and buglers.
The cavalry are coming...
Wheeling together
They are accompanied by four riders dressed in the stable gear of the 1820s and performing skills like laying the horses down while the ride goes an around them. A rare and much appreciated sight - especially as they left the ring charging at the gallop.
Memories Galore - one of Harry Dunlop Racing's horses at Windsor House Stables
3-year old colt Valitop at Jose Santos' yard - with friendLambourn Open Day raises money for the Lambourn Valley Housing trust - which provides homes for stable staff - and for other Lambourn charities.
There was a bit of commentator naughtiness when it was hinted that Victoria Pendleton herself might be taking part in the show jumping contest between teams of jockeys and soldiers of the Household Cavalry.
It turned out that Jamie Osbourne was wearing the silks of Pacha Du Polder's owner - the horse Ms Pendleton rode to fifth place in Cheltenham's St James's Place Foxhunter Chase.
However, it is unlikely that anybody minded much - there was plenty of ice cream to make up for any disappointment.