Page 71 - RSDG Year of 2023

continued towards the Mile, with a small “ceremonial” team from the Regiment racing ahead to join the front of the ride later on, behind the Captain and Lass, and Lord Provost. Again, in a lovely moment, Abbie Mcdowall (our erstwhile riding instructor at Tower) was able to join the ride in her role of Lass, fresh back from maternity leave. No mean feet. As the ride made it onto the Mile, the hitherto glorious weather broke, and the cavalcade was met with a torrent. After such a successful day, nothing could dampen the mood however. This article is turning into a list of thanks, but all deserved: once again, SCOTS DG must turn to all at the Riding of Marches committee in gratitude for inviting us yet again, and for including us so thoroughly. Stuart Nicoll is worthy of high praise, as an individual who has always strived to keep us included, and has been incredibly accommodating of the tempo at which we live. An excellent event, and always a high point in the calendar: we could not be happier to remain included in such a day.
A moment should be spared before closing to offer our sympathies to Michael Malone, the owner and driver of the Regimental Coach: last year, winning best in event at Windsor Horse show, Michael was joined by representa-
tives from the Regiment. Sadly this year, he was unable to extend such a kind charity owing to the retirement of one horse, and the loss of another. Any keen equine enthusiast will know what a loss this will have been, and we offer our continued support to him in upkeeping such a remarkable piece of Regimental history.
As always, I will close with a look forward: next year we will see our second spurs course delivered at Tower Farm, and supported by the BHS in Scotland. With our own tack room now in place, we continue to maintain a deeply close relationship with Tower Farm, which goes from strength to strength. A spurs course will see more soldiers gaining professionally accredited qualifications for the BHS, and a robust ongoing pipeline of riders for both sporting and ceremonial output. No doubt there will be more parades, and of course we will do all we can to attend the Riding of the Marches in some fashion, although this author will be doing so in civilian attire. Equitation remains in a good place, but we must not take for granted the efforts of a small number of passionate individuals in keeping this key part of Regimental history and identity trotting along.
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