Sir William Waller's Lifeguard of Horse

"This was the first Action I was ever in, and being upon an unruly Horse, he ran away with me amongst the Enemy, while we pursued them to the Bridge, in which Hurly I lost my Hat; by my Horse's Courage being somewhat abated, I stopp'd him before we came to the Bridge, and so returned with our own Troops."

Sir Richard Bulstrode, Prince of Wales' Regiment of Horse, "Memoirs and Reflections" 1721. Of the cavalry skirmish at Powick Bridge, Worcester.

Not wanting to emulate Sir Richard, we require all our members to take a test before riding in public.

All mounted tests must be taken on Sealed Knot contract horses, and head protection and suitable footwear must be worn.

In order to participate as a mounted dragoon the following assessment must be passed whilst carrying a carbine and, if used, a sword:

Mount and dismount without assistance whilst carrying full kit and weapons.
Adjust stirrups to the correct length.
Hold the reins correctly.
Have good position in the saddle and an elementary knowledge of the aids.
Ride a horse confidently and independently at walk and sitting trot.
Ride in formation and show an ability to understand and obey cavalry commands.
Halt and stand still to order.

No one is allowed to take to the battlefield as a mounted dragoon unless they have passed the dragoon riding assessment. A rider is also only accepted into the mounted dragoon troop when he/she has passed the assessment and ridden in a battle or display and shown complete competence. In order to ride at paces other than walk and trot, or to participate in cavalry actions, the full cavalry test must be passed.

Have control of the horse at all paces.
Ride a horse confidently and independently with one hand at walk, sitting trot and canter.
Ride without stirrups at the walk, trot and canter.
Use the correct aids for elementary movements: walk, trot and canter, turns and circles, increase and decrease the pace, halt and stand still.
Ride up and down hills.

No one is allowed to take to the battlefield as cavalry unless he/she has passed the cavalry riding test. A rider is only accepted into the Ironsides when he/she has passed both this and mounted sword tests, ridden in a battle and shown complete competence. Riding a horse in 'battle' is hard work and unlike any other sort of riding experience.