Page 69 - RSDG Year of 2023

EAGLE AND CARBINE 67
Cpl Jones spent many years alongside his day-job working in the Regimental Stables. Very much the “maintainer” of SCOTS DG equitation tradition during his time, Cpl Jones has been the steady hand that has provided the continuity through changing personalities that mount grey horses. We are sad to see him go and wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Without his consistent engagement, I am certain that SCOTS DG equitation would not be in the healthy and buoyant place it is now.
To move away from fond farewells and thanks, we must now touch on the victims of tempo: the Sprot Cup was not able to take place this year, owing to the continued dispersion of the Regiment across a plethora of commitments. Happily, however, the cup is expected to take place in the Spring of 2023. Perhaps a late addition to this year’s E&C will see it captured, otherwise I have no doubt the excited reader can look forward to it in the next issue of this journal. The continued support of Will Ramsay in this regard cannot be appreciated enough: the most accomplished horseman the Regiment has possibly seen since Col Sprot himself, we thank him deeply for his continued patience and care. Whilst this article may be bereft of glorious pictures of a Borders racecourse, the reader may find some solace in visiting the Borders themselves: fittingly, on 6 June 23, Will opened a museum to celebrate the life of his Grandfather – Admiral Bertram Ramsay – who masterminded the evacuations of Dunkirk, and assisted in the planning of D-Day. I thoroughly encourage you, dear reader, to visit the museum at Bughtrig House to return the support in kind, that Will offers to Regimental equitation.
The missive above may suggest that equitation has been in a lull this year. On the contrary. In fact, it has seen two high profile events, one of which could be considered “once in a lifetime”.
In the late spring, plans began to be laid for what was commonly referred to as “the King’s Coronation in Scotland” – a misnomer, but more by force of paraphrasing. The event would see a great spectacle on the
Royal Mile of Edinburgh during which His Majesty the King would be presented with the Honours of Scotland. Originally the Senior Scottish Regiment was omitted from planning, however, the intervention of the Lord Lyon saw our inclusion in a mounted capacity. Following the Coronation in London, there was some lingering concerns around the inclusion of horses, there having been a small incident involving mounted SP and the crowd. This generated a substantial level of assurance, with the HCMR working hard to ensure SCOTS DG were on parade. A trip to Knightsbridge was required, and duly the Author, along with Capt Cooper, WO2 Kyle, Cpl Jones, and Cpl McLean trotted down to London to be assessed by the Riding Master. Admittedly there were some nerves following the tough time the SNIY had at the hands of the SMEs for horses in the Army. However, experience prevailed, and we passed with...colours? Probably unfair to saying flying.
With Cpl Jones leaving us, the final team saw myself, Capt Cooper, WO2 Kyle, and Cpl McLean on parade. Plaudits are absolutely owed to the latter: a bastion of Regimental pride, Cpl McLean put in hours of work on the kit, running hither and thither, to ensure the Troop