Not Your Ordinary Equestrian Commission
Every commission has a story behind it, but when Gloucestershire-based equestrian artist Emily Johnson received an email from an officer in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, she knew immediately this would be something out of the ordinary.
The officer, Ollie, wanted a painting of himself in full No.2 Service Dress, mounted on horseback, crossing London’s most famous zebra crossing — Abbey Road.
For Ollie, the idea wasn’t just about whimsy. During his two years with the Troop, he regularly exercised the horses through the streets of London, often riding across the Abbey Road crossing. Each time, he thought: “Wouldn’t it be amazing to capture this moment, just like The Beatles did?” But his posting ended before he had the chance to take the photograph — and that’s where Emily came in
First Impressions at Woolwich Barracks
Emily travelled to London by train, where Ollie met her at the station. Bright, welcoming, and immaculately turned out, he immediately set the tone for a memorable visit. Together they drove to Woolwich Barracks, where she was struck by the grandeur of the surroundings: vast oil paintings, sweeping staircases, and elegant dining rooms steeped in history.
The afternoon was spent touring the King’s Troop facilities — the tailors, saddlers, and forge — where Emily watched the farriers at work and began to understand the daily rhythm of the Troop. Ollie even tried on his No.2 Service Dress uniform for her, the very one he would wear in the painting, and encouraged her to try on his jacket and hat.
In the stables, Emily admired the condition of the horses, each one gleaming, powerful, and immaculately turned out. Many of the stalls stood empty, their occupants already moved into temporary underground stabling ahead of the next day’s ceremony.
Capturing the Perfect March
That afternoon, a beautiful bay horse had been prepared for Ollie, polished and ready for the all-important photoshoot. In full uniform, Ollie mounted up and guided the horse to the parade square, where they set about recreating the imagined Abbey Road moment.
Over and over, horse and rider marched across the square while Emily worked tirelessly to capture the perfect stride. She snapped close-up photographs of Ollie’s uniform, filmed short clips of the horse’s movement, and studied the details that would later be woven together in paint.
“It was important to Ollie that every detail was correct,” Emily explains. “We combined stills and videos to capture the rhythm of the stride and the accuracy of the uniform. By the end of the day, I knew we had everything we needed.”
Exhausted but exhilarated, she returned to the barracks that evening, already buzzing with ideas.
A Front Row Seat at the King’s Birthday Salute
The following morning began with breakfast in one of the grand dining rooms of the barracks before heading into central London by Tube. Ollie was not part of the mounted salute that day, which meant he could act as Emily’s personal guide — a privilege that allowed her behind-the-scenes access to the preparation.
She watched as soldiers shone their tack until it gleamed, adjusted uniforms, and carefully managed their horses in the underground stables. As the horses emerged into the daylight and were harnessed to the great ceremonial guns, the anticipation built.
Soon the Troop set off past Buckingham Palace and into Green Park, where Emily was ushered into a velvet-roped front-row seat for the King’s Birthday Salute.
“As the horses filed into the park, the tension in the air was incredible,” Emily recalls. “When the guns fired, the ground shook, smoke rolled across the grass, and the horses stood with such discipline. A few broke free and galloped across the park before being caught, but rather than spoiling the moment it just added to the excitement.”
For Emily, it wasn’t just a spectacle — it became part of the commission itself. “I wasn’t just handed a photograph to paint. I had met Ollie, seen his character, studied his posture, and felt the atmosphere of the Troop. All of that experience went into the soul of the painting.”
From London to the Studio
Back in her Forest of Dean studio, Emily began the painstaking process of turning the references into a finished oil painting. Sketches, layered brushwork, and months of refinement gradually brought the image to life: Ollie, in immaculate Service Dress, astride his horse and stepping boldly across Abbey Road.
The result was a portrait that combined military pride, personal memory, and a playful nod to pop culture.
The Grand Reveal
Six months later, Ollie travelled to Emily’s studio with friends to collect his painting. Together, they gathered for the grand reveal.
“It was such a special moment,” Emily reflects. “To finally unveil the piece after months of work, and to see how much it meant to him, was an honour. I really feel like I made a friend in Ollie, and that’s what makes commissions like this so meaningful.”
About the Artist
Emily Johnson is an equestrian artist specialising in bespoke oil paintings of horses. Based in Gloucestershire and currently Artist-in-Residence at Cheltenham Racecourse, she works with private clients across the UK and internationally. Each commission is created through in-person visits, photography, and months of dedicated painting — resulting in timeless works that capture both likeness and legacy.
Website: www.EmilyJohnsonFineArt.co.uk