Every summer Saturday at Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, 39 horses are polished, pampered and prepped—now they’re gearing up for the final two September shows.
Before they step out onto the seven-and-a-half-acre stage, the horses go through a meticulous preparation ritual. Grooming sessions with nourishing shampoo, brushed manes and shining tack ensure every animal looks its best, while the cavalry team make sure everything is safe, shining and ready to perform.
One of the most striking sights behind the scenes is the warm-up, where horses and their riders get ready for the show together – a powerful moment that captures the energy and anticipation of show night. The excitement is contagious, with the horses visibly perking up as they prepare to head out in front of thousands of cheering spectators.
Another highlight is the build-up to the Jubilee Parade, when the magnificent six-horse carriage team and flag riders are carefully prepared before their big entrance.
The horses love the buzz of performance nights, feeding off the atmosphere and attention, before winding down with a well-earned snooze on Sunday.
Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry and Estates at Kynren, said: “Our horses are true stars of the show, but what audiences don’t see is the hours of careful preparation that happen beforehand from our dedicated cavalry team. The Jubilee Parade team do incredible work to get ready, and the warm-up period – watching the horses and riders getting ready for the performance – is such a special moment; the excitement and the atmosphere from both horses and riders is palpable. Each Saturday the horses are all given the full pamper treatment in readiness for show night and Sundays are a snooze day – they all enjoy a well-deserved day off!”
This season has also marked the debut of Major, a Highland pony who, alongside Cosmo, has become a crowd favourite in the heart-racing Viking attack scene.
Laurie leads the team responsible for the care of Kynren’s 39 performance horses, part of the menagerie of more than 150 animals in the show including sheep, geese, cows, donkeys and goats. All the animals are cared for to the highest standards and live on site so they can be well looked after all year round.
Performances run on Saturday 6th and Saturday 13th September, starting at sunset and ending under the stars. Tickets start from £30 for adults and £20 for under-18s. Children aged three and under go free when seated on an adult’s knee. Click here for more information.