London Like a Local Equestrian
There’s no city quite like London, and I’ve never made a secret of the fact that it’s my favorite — especially as an equestrian. There’s the history, the tradition, the impossible elegance of it all, but what I love most is that London is a city full of horses. From the Household Cavalry on their way to Buckingham Palace to the mounted police patrolling the streets, horses are woven into the fabric of this city in a way that makes my equestrian heart sing. Naturally, whenever I visit, I find a way to get in the saddle. London offers the unique opportunity to do this even during my business trips because Hyde Park Stables is located in the city center, providing a conveniently accessible yet historic and splendid setting for a ride.
This past Wednesday, I did exactly that, and it was every bit as magical as my first visit there last November on my previous business trip.
A Stable in the Heart of the City
What makes Hyde Park Stables so special is the sheer convenience. Tucked away in Bathurst Mews — one of London’s few remaining working mews, or historic stable yards, that has housed horses since the days when the city’s grandest families kept their carriages nearby — the stables are just a short walk from Lancaster Gate on the Central line. You hop on the Tube, walk a few minutes, and suddenly you’re mounting up for a ride through one of the world’s most famous parks. It already feels like a tradition I intend to keep.
Inka and Lemon
I was paired with a handsome and wonderfully bombproof horse named Inka. There’s something so reassuring about a horse who takes the sights and sounds of Central London completely in stride — the traffic, the joggers, the cyclists, the construction, the occasional siren in the distance — Inka didn’t bat an eye. He was a perfect gentleman.
My guide for the morning was the lovely Livvy, who rode an adorable and impressively fuzzy horse called Lemon. Between Lemon’s teddy bear charm and Livvy’s warm company, I couldn’t have asked for better companions on a chilly London morning.
A Perfect Morning on Rotten Row
The cold weather turned out to be a gift. The park was beautifully quiet, which meant Livvy and I had plenty of room for lovely trots along the bridle paths and, best of all, two wonderful canters along Rotten Row. For those unfamiliar, Rotten Row is the famous sandy bridleway running along the south side of Hyde Park. It dates back to the late 17th century when King William III had it created as a lantern-lit route between Kensington Palace and Whitehall, one of England’s first illuminated roads. The name is thought to be a delightful English corruption of “Route du Roi,” the King’s Road. Riding along it today, you can still feel that sense of tradition beneath your horse’s hooves.
The Household Cavalry
One of the highlights of our ride was spotting members of the Household Cavalry practicing on Rotten Row. The cavalry is stabled at nearby Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge, and they regularly exercise their horses in the park. Seeing these soldiers on their magnificent horses while I was out on my own ride felt like a pinch-me moment.
Livvy shared a fascinating detail: the Household Cavalry actually prefers to recruit soldiers with no prior riding experience. At first, this seems counterintuitive, but the reasoning makes sense. Their requirements are so specific — guiding horses calmly through crowds, maintaining precise formations during ceremonies, navigating busy London streets — that it’s easier to train someone from scratch than to retrain habits picked up elsewhere. Every trooper goes through a rigorous 12-week riding course at their training wing in Windsor before they ever set foot (or hoof) on the streets of London. I love learning tidbits like this!
Retail Therapy at Riders & Squires
No equestrian visit to London is complete without a stop at Riders & Squires in Kensington. This wonderful little tack shop near High Street Kensington has been a staple of mine on nearly every London trip, and this visit was extra special because, for the first time, they were selling their own branded merchandise! I couldn’t resist a lovely tote bag featuring a beautiful equestrian sketch, a sparkly riding crop (I can never say no to a bit of bling), and a cozy beanie — I had foolishly forgotten mine at home and desperately needed something warm for the chilly mornings and evenings.
When the shopkeeper learned I was a product manager in London for work, she asked my advice on what other branded merchandise equestrians like me would buy. She had been considering hoodies, but acknowledged that the shop’s clientele was unlikely to wear that type of attire. I suggested boot socks, baseball caps, beanies, and knit fleeces — the kinds of practical, polished pieces that equestrians actually reach for. I do love being consulted on matters of horse and fashion!
A Scenic Send-Off
As if the week hadn’t already delivered enough equine magic, my Uber ride to the airport on Friday morning provided a perfect finale. We drove past Horse Guards on Whitehall, where I spotted several members of the Household Cavalry riding along the road en route to Buckingham Palace — gleaming breastplates, plumed helmets, clip-clopping past some of the most iconic buildings in the world. I may have pressed my face against the car window like an excited child.
A few moments later, we passed a group of mounted police, and one of the horses was an absolutely stunning dapple grey. I scrambled to get my phone out in time, and thankfully I did — because that horse deserved to be photographed.
Until Next Time, London
This is what I love about London. Horses aren’t just a part of its history — they’re a living, breathing part of everyday life. Whether I’m cantering along Rotten Row, browsing riding gear in Kensington, or catching a glimpse of the cavalry from an Uber window, London never fails to remind me why it’s my favorite place in the world. I already know I’ll be back at Hyde Park Stables on my next trip — perhaps a summer ride, when the park is lush and green and the days are long. More horseback adventures in London surely await!
