Suffolk Junior Cavalry

The Suffolk Junior Cavalry is an exciting hobby that lets junior riders (aged 8 to 18 years) partake in formal riding and display as part of a troop. Based at Valley Farm, outside Wickham Market in Suffolk, the Calvary is open to all riders. Please use the navigation to learn more about the aims, the history of the Troop and how you can get involved.

History

Founded in June 1990 by David Foster as a local display team for Valley Farm Riding & Driving Centre at Wickham Market as a Mounted Troop.

After some local successes at charity fêtes and garden parties etc, it went into a period of change and development, becoming more professional in approach, and also becoming an independent group at Valley Farm. It was renamed The Junior Cavalry Troop. It has spent time and effort in an intesive training period, to hone its skills and develop the cavalry riding techniques, in the style of the Household Cavalry and British Cavalry of history.

It became a part of the Volunteer Corps of Frontiersmen, Legion of Horse in 1998. Mr David Foster was commissioned Captain (VCF). Whilst integrating itself into the Legion a policy of expansion was implemented. This proved to be succesful and in January 200, the squadron launched itself on the display circuit.

The Junior Cavalry was over a period of 6 years trained by Colin Trench, ex. Life Guards, who was responsible for the vast knowledge and expertise which was injected into the squadron. In June 2002, he died following a massive heart attack. A friend and mentor was lost to the squadron. However, the squadron continued under the guidance of Col. David Frost, and the training of Capt. Rebecca Frost, the Officer Commanding, Junior Cavalry Squadron.

In October 2004, the Junior Cavalry dissolved and its membership of the Volunteer Corps of Frontiersmen, and once again became a wholly independent unit within the “Legion of Frontiersmen.”

The Troop left Valley Farm in July 2004, but after 4 years, and two riding schools, returned “home” inMay 2008.

On returning, and merging with the Valley Farm Cavalry, we once again became a unit of the Volunteer Corps of Frontiersmen.