A RESCUED horse is now riding high after passing the first stage of her new career with the Royal Horse Artillery with flying colours.

Four-year-old Penny from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) centre at Penny Hill Farm, Blackpool, has been with all the king's horses of the King's Troop for three months after being hand-picked by the regiment itself following a visit in September.

At her passing out in December she was one of eight new recruits showing off their paces at the barracks in St John's Wood, London.

The formerly unhandled filly has now been broken to saddle, ridden out in the thickest of London traffic and even introduced to small jumps.

Commanding officer for the King's Troop Major Simon Hall said: "We are very pleased with Penny's progress in such a short time.

"With her temperament and build she should be ideally suited as a wheeler -- one of the two horses at the rear of the team of six who apply the brakes for the team."

Penny was the first welfare case to arrive at Penny Hill on March 30 last year and was in a very bad way infected with lice and worms and suffering from malnutrition.

She was owned by an elderly gentleman in Yorkshire who had become unable to look after her and the three other horses he owned.

Penny had never been handled, never worn a headcollar and was terrified of human contact. She also wouldn't eat anything having never eaten hard food.

Penny Farm manager Tony Fleming said: "When you think we could not get near her she was so wild I am so proud to see what she is doing and how well she is behaving today."

Penny, or Hallmark as she is officially known, will now be going on to the next phase of her training as a gun horse.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery is now looking for new human recruits. Those interested, whether male or female between 16 and 27 years, should contact the chief clerk on (0207) 4144603 for more information. Riding experience not necessary.