DTN News - SPECIAL REPORT: The Salute Is To Mark The 61st Anniversary of The Queen's Accession To The Throne
Rein of Terror - The moment An Army Rider Is Thrown From The Saddle As Her Horse Is Spooked By Cannon Fire At Ceremony To Mark Queen's Ascent To Throne
*As the gun's roared to honour Her Majesty, one horse was spooked by the thunderous explosions
*It threw the rider from the saddle, despite her desperate attempts to stay mounted
*She rolled away from the animal's dangerous hooves and, a little shaken, returned to her mount
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Keith Gladdis - Daily Mail UK(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 7, 2013: In her immaculate ceremonial uniform this proud soldier was marking the 61st anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.
But as the first of 41 shots were fired from six field guns in London’s Green Park her horse began to get skittish.
As more shots were fired at ten second intervals the horse from the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, got increasingly agitated.
Eventually it unceremoniously threw its mount from her saddle and reared on to its hind legs. The unfortunate soldier could easily have been crushed to death but seconds later she had wiped away her tears and was back in her saddle.
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Panic: The terrified horse bucks after the gun salute by The King's Troop Royal Artillery in Green Park London. The event was held to mark the 61st anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne
Spooked: The trooper falls forward as the horse plunges towards the floor
One bystander said: ‘At first the soldier tried to control the horse and calm it down but then the guns fired again and she was thrown to the ground.
‘It was pretty terrifying because the horse stood up on its hind legs and looked like it could have landed on top of her.
‘By the time the horse landed she was up on her feet and out of the way. She was in tears but I think it was her pride that was hurt rather than anything else.
‘Despite being in tears there was no time for sympathy and she was told to get straight back onto her horse.
‘The soldier was shaken but carried out the rest of her duties perfectly.’
Hundreds gathered in Green Park yesterday to see 71 horses pull the 13-pounder, First World War ear field guns from the nearby Wellington Barracks.
The rider desperately tries to cling onto the thrashing horse but cannot stay mounted
Horror: A bystander said onlookers were stunned by the accident
The horse grew more and more nervous at each passing roar of the cannon before it could take no more and threw the woman
The horse rears above the fallen rider, its powerful hooves loom dangerously above her head
Evasion: The trooper rolls away from the thrashing animal's hooves
There were gasps as the trooper was thrown from her horse but the Royal Salute was not interrupted.
Gun salutes are customarily fired, both on shore and at sea, as a sign of respect or welcome
A 62-gun salute also rang out at Gun Wharf, Tower of London yesterday by the Honourable Artillery Company, while gunners from the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) fired a 21-gun salute at Edinburgh Castle.
Wounded pride: The teary-eyed trooper is comforted by a comrade but wasted no time getting back into the saddle
Stoic: A little shaken, she returns to her mount and continues her duties, as is expected of a soldier
The Queen spent the day in private at Sandringham, as is her custom. It is a sombre day for Her Majesty, as it marks the moment her father King George VI died, leaving her to take the throne the aged just 25.
This year will see the Queen will mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation and a service of celebration will be held on June 4, at Westminster Abbey.
The coronation will also be marked by a four-day festival in Buckingham Palace Gardens in July.
The Queen will return to Buckingham Palace next week following her annual break in Norfolk.
Firepower: The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, fire a 41-gun salute as the enthralled crowd looks on
Fusillade: The cannon blasts were what caused the steed to panic and throw the rider
Majestic: Riders thunder across Green Park during the ceremony
Rigorous: It takes four to five years to become a fully trained military saddler in the King's Troop
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Keith Gladdis - Daily Mail UK
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com
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