Newsletter - June 2025
Dear Loriner,
Welcome to another bumper edition of our Newsletter.
You will see reports of many of the activities members of the Company have been involved in, most notably the hugely enjoyable day at Badminton, courtesy of the relaxed but totally efficient organisation of Assistant Patricia Nassau-Williams and our very well attended Civic Banquet at Mansion House. Our many guests consistently remark on the friendly nature of our Company and that will be no surprise to our members. The return of the ceremony of the Loving Cup was very much welcomed! The photos are now available for all to enjoy.
Nick Bensted-Smith, Master 2025/26
Spring Court Meeting welcomes new Freemen and Liverymen
The Spring Court Meeting, which took place on 1st May, saw a number of new Freemen and Liverymen welcomed into the Company. Alan Hiscox, who is Director of Safety for the British Horse Society, became a Freeman. Alan participated in Project EDWARD of which you can read more later in the newsletter. Also welcomed as a Freeman was Sister Mary Joy Langdon, who recently retired as Founder and CEO of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in London.
Leslie Jardine and Mark McAllister (pictured left and right of the Master), were made Freemen and Liverymen on the same day. Both had already received their Freedom of the City of London. Congratulations to you all!
Court Assistant, Mark Skelton
New Affiliation agreed with The City of London Police Mounted Branch
I am delighted to announce that, at the recent Court meeting of the Worshipful Company of Loriners, the Court unanimously agreed to a proposal to form an affiliation with The City of London Police Mounted Branch. In many ways, this is a perfect fit as both organisations are ‘City’ and ‘equine’ focussed. It is anticipated that, on many occasions, each can help and support the other, whether through sharing relevant expertise or publicising our affiliation.
On 14th April, the Master and Mistress attended the passing-out parade for the Mounted Branch’s most recent recruit, Police Horse Negus. Pictured here are PC Gemma Gibbs riding PH Gilbert and PC Nathan Morrison-Butcher riding PH Pollard, together with one of our guests at our recent Mansion House Banquet, Superintendent Jess Wynne.
Nick Bensted-Smith, Master 2025/26
Loriners Enjoy a Brilliant Day at Badminton Horse Trials
On 8th May, the Master, Mistress and a group of 14 Loriners headed off to the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials in South Gloucestershire. Seat of the 12th Duke of Beaufort, this beautiful venue has more than 200,000 visitors during the four-day competition, that include dressage, cross country and show jumping.
Our group met bright and early in the Portcullis Club, which was to be our base for the day. Situated next to the main arena and with bonus TV screens, we enjoyed breakfast while watching the dressage - an elegant discipline showcasing the remarkable harmony between horse and rider, with precision, control and grace. An interlude then followed for some retail therapy through the 500 stands in the Shopping Village.
Regrouping for a superb buffet lunch at the Portcullis Club, with puddings that most of us failed to resist, it was then time to meet Alex Bragg for the cross-country walk. An International 5-Star event rider, Alex gave us a most engaging and detailed guided tour around the 32 fences over the 4-mile course. His in-depth knowledge of the course was evident, as he explained the technical challenges presented by each obstacle, highlighting the gradient, visual impact and sharpness of turns.
After stopping for a group photo in front of Badminton House, we then had the thrill of meeting Eventing legend and Honorary Freeman, Lucinda Green. With an outstanding career that includes multiple Olympic, World and European medals, as well as six Badminton wins between 1973 and 1984, her presence truly was the icing on the cake. The day concluded with afternoon tea back at the Portcullis Club, where everyone agreed it had been a very special and enjoyable day.
Under Warden Nick Athienitis and Court Assistant, Tricia Nassau-Williams
Loriner Focus
This month, we are delighted to place the Loriner Focus spotlight on Court Assistant Tricia Nassau-Williams. As you will read, Tricia's involvement with horses began from a very early age and has literally never stopped:
"When I was three years old, I met a small pony called Lollipop and this pony holds full responsibility for starting my lifelong passion for horses. With a childhood filled with mischievous, fat, hairy ponies, I would gleefully trot off to Eridge Pony Club events and summer camps. This was replaced by even larger horses and a passion for riding cross country with the Coakham Bloodhounds. Today, I am happy hacking around the Cornish countryside where I now live.
'My career was destined to be an equestrian one. I attended the Cordwainers College in London (now at Capel Manor College) to study saddlery, harness and lorinery. I then completed my BHS teaching qualifications (and much less enthusiastically, business studies). I then ran a saddlery business in Tunbridge Wells for 24 years. Supported by a fantastic team of staff, we specialised in Saddle Fitting and giving Lorinery Advice.
'I became closely involved with the Society of Master Saddlers, sitting on their Executive Committee for many years and serving as a trainer and assessor for their saddle fitting courses. I also became a member of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Council. Having your life’s passion as your career is a wonderful thing.
'When Past Master John Cunningham saw an article in a local paper about my saddlery, he invited me to join The Loriners' Company. l was enclothed in 1994. An unexpected bonus was also meeting my husband, Liveryman Vaughan Williams, with the then Clerk, Past Master Graham Forbes and his wife attending our wedding.
'In 2001, I left my saddlery company and became the Field Officer for BETA in Worcestershire. In 2002, I also became the Lorinery Lecturer & Projects Manager for The Loriners’ Company. This enabled me to provide lorinery training and networking projects across different equestrian groups and, above all, work to promote the terminology of ‘Lorinery’ in the equestrian world.
'The support of Lorinery education, equine charities and improved horse welfare are paramount to the Company and it is great to be part of this. Supporting the affairs and traditions of the City are also key, with opportunities to participate in The Lord Mayor’s Show and running in full livery regalia across the Guildhall Yard while tossing a pancake in the Inter-Livery Pancake Race.
'With so much camaraderie and a fun, social network (such as meeting Eventing legend and Honorary Freeman, Lucinda Green), being an active member of the Company has provided me with many more opportunities and experiences that l would ever have thought possible.
'In 2024, l was made an Assistant and joined The Court. I am actively involved in the Livery Committee and providing a range of social events, some equine and some not, for members of the Company. As Lorinery Steward for World Horse Welfare Charity, I am committed to supporting them as much as possible and acting as the conduit between them and The Loriners’ Company.
'It's an exciting time for The Loriners, with many new projects and events in the pipeline as well as valuing and continuing our traditions from 1261, our founding year."
Court Assistant, Tricia Nassau-Williams
Loriner Lauren Morton Ties the Knot
On 10th May and blessed by fine sunny weather, Loriner Lauren Morton was married to Scott Jones at St Mary’s Church, Headley. Her proud father, our Upper Warden John Morton, gave the bride away in traditional style, while numerous family and guests watched on.
The beautiful wedding ceremony was followed by a reception and wedding breakfast at the De Vere Horsley Towers in Surrey, where guests danced the night away. The Worshipful Company of Loriners send Lauren and Scott every good wish for their future happiness!
Immediate Past Master, Colin Gurley
Five-Day Ride to Support Project EDWARD
On Monday 12th May, Freeman Alan Hiscox, together with two colleagues from the BHS Safety Team, began a ride from Lambourn Gallops in West Berkshire to The Royal Windsor Horse Show, arriving on Friday 16th May.
The ride was in partnership with Project EDWARD (Every Day without a Road Death) and its goal is to highlight the significant challenges riders and carriage drivers face on the roads. The project also aims to raise awareness of the 2022 Highway Code changes specific to equestrians.
Alan (pictured below) leads the award-winning BHS Dead Slow campaign and was influential in getting significant changes into the Highway Code in 2022, which give advice to drivers to pass horses at a maximum of 10mph and at a 2m distance. However, when attending major motoring shows, Alan and his team found that only about 5% of the hundreds of drivers they spoke to knew the changes specific to horses.
In 2024, 58 horses were killed on the UK roads, 97 horses were injured and 80 riders were injured. Additionally, a total of 3,100 incidents were recorded with the BHS, 81% of which were because vehicles were passing too fast and too close to the horse.
When a racehorse was killed on the roads after being hit by a car in Lambourn in October last year, Alan decided that even more needed to be done to highlight the issue. He and his team (including support from the Jockey Club, Land Rover Defender, Horse, Woof Wear, Country TV and other equestrian organisations), left Lambourn Gallops on 12th May and rode over five days to The Royal Windsor Horse Show, where they were escorted into the main Castle Arena by Thames Valley Police Horses.
During the ride, the BHS and Project EDWARD also launched a new training resource for Police Op Snap teams, aimed at improving the review of journey cam (hat cam) footage submitted by equestrians.
Developed in response to research by Dr Helen Wells and Dr Santiago Amietta at Keele University, this initiative seeks to enhance consistency and empathy when policing road incidents involving horses.
Support for the campaign has been momentous. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, gave a television interview and Lee Dillon, MP for Newbury, tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament to raise awareness in Government and Local Councils around equestrian road safety. Amy Hilton shared her heart-wrenching story of losing her horse Archie on the road and well-known British jockey, Tom Scudamore, gave an interview with BBC Radio.
Court Assistant, Mark Skelton
Loriners Face Stiff Competition in Inter-Livery Clay Shoot
The Master, members of the Worshipful Company of Loriners and supporting non-Liverymen took part in the Inter-Livery Charity Clay Shoot at West London Shooting School in Northolt on 14th May. They enjoyed an excellent day with a good variety of sporting clays, with the Loriners’ A team placed 41st and the Loriners’ B team 69th out of 112 teams. A very respectable result indeed!
The teams were made up of the Master, Stephen Macklow-Smith, Tom Armitage, Ollie Bensted-Smith and Paul Dowsey, together with Zoe Durran, Andrew Bernard and Ashley Lawrence.
The shoot took place over two days (the second being on the 15th) and the Loriners were up against stiff competition from Companies such as the Gunmakers, Bakers and Horners. Whilst there was definitely an air of competition in the event, it was also about raising money for charity. Funds were raised for several worthy causes, including The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, The Prince’s Trust and the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust.
Liveryman, Ollie Bensted-Smith
Loriners' Annual Banquet - an Evening of Splendour at Mansion House
What a delight it was for more than 200 Loriners and their guests to enjoy their annual Banquet in the magnificent Egyptian Hall at Mansion House on 15th May. The evening was kindly hosted by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor, Mr Alastair King DL and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Florence King (below left). The civic party included Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones KC and fellow Company guests were the Master Farrier, Mr John Chilman, and the Clerk to the Farriers, Ms Valerie Gaisford-St Lawrence.
The Master had invited Her Honour, Judge Anuja Dhir KC (above right), to be the Guest Speaker. She highlighted the support the Company gives to young people, particularly through the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the British Horse Society (BHS), which provide opportunities close to her heart. Anuja spoke about the importance of giving children a positive start in life to help them for their future and her compassion for others shone through. It was was real a delight to hear her address.
The Company welcomed representatives from its military affiliations, including HMS Agamemnon, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the City of London Police Mounted Branch. Members of 226 Tottenham Cadet Detachment were also in attendance.
Not only was a sumptuous four-course dinner served with fine wines, but uplifting music was provided by the Royal Marines Association Ensemble, including the ever popular Post Horn Gallop. It was wonderful to see the Loving Cup ceremony reinstated in the traditional manner. It was the first time this has been practiced for many years and everyone rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion.
This most splendid occasion concluded with an invitation from the Master to join him and his guests for a Stirrup Cup in The Salon.
Many thanks go to the Mistress and her team for aiding me with organising and presenting the posies and flower arrangements, which were most enjoyable to create. And thanks to Gilbert-Ash for their kind support. It was, all in all, an excellent evening.
Georgy Armitage, Assistant to the Clerk
Master and Mistress Attend Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Master and Mistress were privileged to be invited by the Commanding Officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to join him and his fellow officers at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on 17th May. In part, this was to see the spectacular events of the show and at the end of the day to join a presentation to His Majesty The King.
The day itself was very enjoyable, with exceptional standards in the International Show Jumping, the thrill of the Shetland Pony Grand National and lots of fun and astonishing agility in the Pony Club Mounted Games, followed by the finale of the King’s Troop Musical Ride. The Master and Mistreess were treated to a tour of the ‘lines’ to meet the soldiers, officers and, of course, the horses themselves. Pray spare the blushes of one Lieutenant who had a shoulder pip nibbled away to the point of removal by one of the horses!
Nick Bensted-Smith, Master 2025/26
Messages from The Gallant Clerk
The Spring Court was held at the start of May and the following are highlights of the decisions that were made:
City of London Police - Mounted Branch:
The Court agreed a formal affiliation with the City of London Police - Mounted Branch. Given our joint heritage in matters City and Equine, this was deemed an obvious connection and it is hoped that it will develop over time.There is no financial impact on the Company and, after the first year (subject to approval from the Trustees), there will be a small donation from the Loriners’ Charitable Trust to the Horse Trust as part of the annual grants.Once the relationship has been cemented, it is hoped that visits will be arranged to see the Mounted Branch stables and training in due course.
Armed Forces Covenant:
The Court also agreed to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Much of what the Company already does in support of its Military Affiliations is captured within the Armed Forces Covenant. So it was deemed to be an obvious next step.In signing the Covenant, it means that the Company will publicly declare support for the Military and its Affiliations.A formal signing will be the next step.
There was a number of admissions during the Court, including:
New Assistant:
Liveryman Peter Long was admitted as a Court Assistant
New Members:
Mark McAllister - a Chief Technology Officer
Leslie Jardine - an Information Technology consultant
Sister Mary Joy Langdon - Founder of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre
Alan Hiscox - Director of Safety at British Horse Society
New Liverymen:
Having already become Freemen of the City, Freemen Mark McAllister and Leslie Jardine were also enclothed with the Livery
Looking forward:
Please note the following dates for your diary:
June - Election of Sheriffs and lunch afterwards at Barber Surgeons’ Hall
June - Mudlarking
July - Summer Court and Lunch at Barber Surgeons’ Hall. Seats are filling up so Loriners please do book now to secure your place.
Sept - Election of The Lord Mayor. Flyer will be released shortly
October - Autumn Court Dinner. Flyer will be sent out after the Summer Court Lunch
Inter-Livery Tennis Competition:
The Feltmakers’ Inter-Livery Tennis Competition will be held on 18th September at Queen’s Club. The competition is open to teams of mixed pairs, with each Livery Company allowed to enter a maximum of two pairs. The competition is designed for Liverymen and their spouses/partners/friends; one person in each pair should therefore be a Liveryman. The competition will be run as an American tournament, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. The Feltmakers’ Trophy will be awarded to the winners and there will be a knock-out Plate Competition for first round group losers.
Communications Committee
June 2025