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Princess Anne to unveil statue of Sefton, IRA bomb survivor horse Sefton statue unveiling: Horse that survived IRA bomb
(about 1 hour later)
A life-size bronze statue of a horse that survived the 1982 Hyde Park bomb is to be unveiled by Princess Anne.A life-size bronze statue of a horse that survived the 1982 Hyde Park bomb is to be unveiled by Princess Anne.
Sefton served with the British Army from 1967 to 1984, surviving the IRA bomb that killed four soldiers and seven horses in the London park. Sefton served with the British army from 1967 to 1984, surviving the IRA bombs that killed four soldiers and seven horses in the London park.
The work, by artist Camilla Le May, will be unveiled later at the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire.The work, by artist Camilla Le May, will be unveiled later at the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire.
Sefton was put down at the age of 30 in July 1993 after complications caused by injuries suffered during the bombing.Sefton was put down at the age of 30 in July 1993 after complications caused by injuries suffered during the bombing.
The blast, on 20 July 1982, came when a nail bomb in a car was detonated when members of the Household Cavalry made their way to the changing of the guard from their barracks in Knightsbridge. The blast, on 20 July 1982, came when a nail bomb in a car was detonated when members of the Household Cavalry made their way to Changing the Guard from their barracks in Knightsbridge.
34 wounds Thousands of gifts
Less than two hours later another bomb planted under a bandstand in Regents Park killed seven Army bandsmen. Less than two hours later another bomb planted under a bandstand in Regent's Park killed seven Army bandsmen.
The IRA admitted responsibility for both bombs, which also left dozens of people wounded.The IRA admitted responsibility for both bombs, which also left dozens of people wounded.
Following the bombing, and despite 34 separate wounds that required eight hours of surgery, Sefton recovered and was able to return to regimental duty within three months.Following the bombing, and despite 34 separate wounds that required eight hours of surgery, Sefton recovered and was able to return to regimental duty within three months.
During his treatment, Sefton received thousands of gifts from the public and he became famous for battling against the odds.During his treatment, Sefton received thousands of gifts from the public and he became famous for battling against the odds.
Many people who knew and rode Sefton provided detailed briefings to help Ms Le May capture the horse's character and spirit for the statue, which will be at the college in North Mymms.Many people who knew and rode Sefton provided detailed briefings to help Ms Le May capture the horse's character and spirit for the statue, which will be at the college in North Mymms.
The 39-year-old, from Wadhurst, East Sussex, said: "It was fascinating to talk to those who rode and knew Sefton and this, along with studying old photos, enabled me to find out some of his individual traits, such as the way he often tilted his head, looking back over his shoulder, which I chose to represent in the work.The 39-year-old, from Wadhurst, East Sussex, said: "It was fascinating to talk to those who rode and knew Sefton and this, along with studying old photos, enabled me to find out some of his individual traits, such as the way he often tilted his head, looking back over his shoulder, which I chose to represent in the work.
'Hall of Fame' Hall of Fame
"He was, by all accounts, a strong character and quite a handful, especially in his youth. Perhaps it was partly this strength of character that helped him pull through his appalling injuries.""He was, by all accounts, a strong character and quite a handful, especially in his youth. Perhaps it was partly this strength of character that helped him pull through his appalling injuries."
After joining the Army, Sefton became a riding school horse before joining the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.After joining the Army, Sefton became a riding school horse before joining the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
He became one of the first horses to be placed in the British Horse Society's equestrian "Hall of Fame" and after retiring in 1984 went to live in the Home of Rest for Horses, a sanctuary near Prince's Risborough, Buckinghamshire, with two other horses that survived the blast. He became one of the first horses to be placed in the British Horse Society's equestrian Hall of Fame and after retiring in 1984 went to live in the Home of Rest for Horses, a sanctuary near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, with two other horses that survived the blast.
The statue was commissioned to honour one of the Royal Veterinary College's longest-serving senior academics, Professor Peter Lees, who retired in 2010. It was funded by honorary fellow Lord Ballyedmond. The statue was commissioned to honour one of the Royal Veterinary College's longest-serving senior academics, Prof Peter Lees, who retired in 2010. It was funded by honorary fellow Lord Ballyedmond.