The stables: Riders c. 1669-1702; 1714-1837

Riders c. 1669–1702; 1714–1837

Riders were appointed by the master of the horse. Their duties were to break in and ride the `manage' horses, attend the King abroad on horseback, and assist in the instruction of pages of honour in horsemanship. In this last capacity they were subordinate to the equerries of the crown stable. There were four yeoman riders of the coursers' stable at £35 per annum apiece, plus one yeoman rider of the hunting stable at £51 14s 2d on the Household Establishment of 1664. There were three yeoman riders of the coursers' Stable and two yeoman riders of the hunting stable on that of March 1669. Wages were set at £36 10s per annum plus one horse livery in money. A yeoman rider of the race and running horses served between 1673 and 1682. The original ratio was restored on the Stables Establishment of 1682, with wages varying between £30 for the former and £36 10s for the latter, per annum. (fn. 1)

The number of yeoman riders was reduced to two but their wages raised to £130 each on the Establishment of 1685. No yeoman riders were appointed under Queen Anne. One such officer was restored, at the same wages as in 1685, in 1714, two from 1716. From 1765, the two yeoman riders' salaries were established at £186 and £130, respectively. In addition, they received allowances of £44 and £20 out of the pages' salaries, plus 5s per diem of attendance on the King. By 1807 these allowances had risen to £85 12s and £29, respectively. By 1817 their salaries had risen to £250 for the first yeoman rider, £150 for the second. By 1830, the former received an additional £80 for a horse, the latter £50. (fn. 2)

There were four child riders on the Stables Establishments of 1669 and 1682. (fn. 3)

Officially, there were two assistant riders 1760–1765, 1770–c. 1778 and 1783–1812, one at other times. An extra assistant rider served 1772–1783. Assistant riders were established at £60 per annum in 1760. Both officers had their salaries reduced to £40 apiece in 1777. By 1807 they were entitled to additional allowances worth £32 for the first assistant, £23 for the second. The position was abolished by the Establishment of 6 April 1812. (fn. 4)

Yeoman Riders of the Coursers Stable c. 1669–1685

Yeomen Riders of the Hunting Stables c. 1669–c. 1685; 1690–1702

Yeoman Rider of the Race and Running Horses 1673–c. 1682

Yeomen Riders c. 1685–1688

Yeomen Riders 1690–1702; 1714–1765

First Yeoman Rider 1765–1829; 1824–1837

Second Yeoman Rider 1765–1837

Child Riders c. 1669–1685

First Assistant Rider 1760–1812

Second Assistant Rider 1760–1765; 1770–c. 1778; 1783–1812

Extra Assistant Rider 1772–1783