Page 58 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST
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56 EAGLE AND CARBINE
EQUITATION
Captain Alexander Humphries
2022 has been a relatively quiet year for equitation: not all that surprising, as both rotations four and five of Op NEWCOMBE have been gearing up to head out of the door. Looking to the Polish for inspiration (they are currently conducting some of their border recon- naissance on horseback), I can understand why the reader might wonder why on earth horse-riding was not an integral part of MST for Mali. Whilst camels were considered, one can only assume the barrier to entry was the availability of Camelus Dromedarius for riding lessons in Fife. The equitation output for the year, therefore, was limited to the Sprot Cup (an article for which you will find later in this issue), riding lessons, the Windsor Horse Show, and some limited ceremonial work.
Riding lessons have continued throughout the year, building on the efforts of the Spurs Course conducted in 2021, and thanks to Regimental funding and support. As always, Tower Farm Stables in Edinburgh has remained central to the Regiment’s equitation output, Debbie, Caroline, and their team turning out immaculate Greys whenever called for. Abbie McDowall, the chief instructor at Tower Farm (and notoriously hard to draw a compliment from), has made it clear that the riding ability of those in regular attendance is improving significantly.. Moreover, Debbie’s purchasing of grey “parade-ready” horses remains insatiable: new additions arrived at the yard, and SCOTS DG now have the opportunity of fielding as many as 17 greys... we just need to find the riders!
April 2022 saw the Regiment’s mounted ceremonial called upon once more, this time, under some of the
A stunning day at Windsor
highest equine scrutiny in the land: before HRH The Princess Royal. The diligent and committed reader will know, that last year we began to see the real fruits of our labours with the BHS: convening the first UK-based Spurs Course with their support.
The Coach at Windsor Horse Show
Details of Coaching historic coaching activity
