Badge of the Riding House Department

The large badge on the gate of the King’s Troop RHA at St John’s Wood is a symbol of the origin of the Royal Horse Artillery. The Riding House Department was raised around the same time as the RHA, to be responsible for equestrian standards within the Royal Artillery. It was announced in a letter from the Deputy Adjutant-General dated 20 Dec 1802. Captain Quist, a German riding master from Hanover was appointed on 1 Jan 1803 and brought to England to oversee the equestrian training of the RHA. He had worked at the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna where horses were trained while tethered between two pillars. Quist and his Horse Wonder lived to a great age and are treated as legendary in the RHA. Below the rampant horse is the shield of the Royal Ordnance.

Regimental Details | Badges