Page 72 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

70 EAGLE AND CARBINE
– for those not in the know, the BHS is a membership- based Equine charity which provides support, train- ing, and education for those in the horse world, and is the largest and most prominent equine organisation in the UK. Plans were laid, however, owing to the obvious, the Regiment and BHS were unable to enact them until 2021. Following the invitation of the BHS Chair, Helene Mauchlen, Capt Humphries took part in the SuperMax show jumping at Blair International Horse Trials – a first since the Regiment’s return from Germany – scooping second in the Services trophy. Here began the long-suffering of BHS Fellow, Patrick Print OBE, who was truly bemused by the fact that Capt Humphries, having ridden for most of life, still did not understand why it mattered what leg his horse was on in canter. Having been initially drafted two years prior following the course during Op CABRIT, the Regiment followed up with another first since our arrival in Scotland: a “spurs course”. Whereas histori- cally these were run at Fallingbostel saddle club under military instruction, this course – based at regimental stalwart of Tower Farm stables in Edinburgh – was run
Helene Mauchlen and Lt Horridge – Edinburgh today, Milan fashion show tomorrow
under the tutorage of the BHS: the enormously patient and talented Richard Johnstone-Smith BHSI, and equine giant of Patrick Print. The eleven students cov- ered topics ranging from stable management to horse husbandry, as well as spending plenty of hours in the saddle. With high standards maintained throughout, it was refreshing to see Lt Cooper mucking out in white shirt and jersey heavy wool, alongside the fact that per- haps the Regiment of old didn’t have riders the size of Cpl Ratuqalovi mind when tailoring their breeches and boots. A true triumph, the course closed with rid- ing display, with three BHS level 1s, four BHS Silver awards, and four BHS Bronze awards achieved.
Ceremonial
It will come as no surprise that, in the year of the 50th Anniversary of the Regiment, there was an abundance of mounted ceremonial activity. In a very condensed period, the Greys took once more to the public eye in a dazzling array of appearances. Following the kind invite of the North Scottish Horse Museum, and once again with the incredible support of Debbie and her team
Past the Royal Scots Greys Memorial
Mounted Troop in front of Edinburgh Castle