Page 89 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

Merkat Cross. Once halted at the cross, the ceremony to mark the issue of the freedom scroll was conducted by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the Commanding Officer, before the Regiment marched in column of route through the city, to exercise the freedom that had been bestowed upon it.
As the end of the summer drew closer, we were again fortunate enough to be able to compete in the Blair Castle British Horse Foundation Horse Trials, sponsored by Land Rover. Competing in the Services competition, along with representation from the Queens Own Yeomanry, our Subaltern Lt Victoria B secured first place and a very credible third overall, such was her command of the steed. The horses from the Tower Hill Stables in Edinburgh have continued to support us for all things equestrian, including the delivery of Spurs courses for our people, where having qualified as basic riders, they are literally awarded their spurs on completion.
With Easter and the Freedom of the City parade a distant memory, our attention turned to the ADE, this year to take place overseas. Ex KRONOS HUNTER was to be a dismounted exercise, conducted in the arduous terrain of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. With a built in AT package, live firing to section level, and a demanding dry phase it would require the core Light Cavalry skills of our people to be slick. Notwithstanding the significant administrative, logistical, physical and medical preparation required, it also takes time. A series of weekend training events were built to ensure there was a progressive and achievable pathway to readiness to make the most of this excellent overseas training opportunity. It didn’t disappoint.
Almost simultaneously we committed troops to two Multi-National Patrol Competitions, the Admiral
Pitka Challenge in Estonia and Ex VENETO in the Dolomite mountains, Italy. Both were conducted over challenging terrain and required significant training and organisation to take part. Drawn from across the Regiment the patrol compositions ensured that each of the four sub-units had representation, and certainly provides a blueprint for next years iteration.
Arguably the rasion d’etre of the Army Reserve is to support the Regular Field Army and its missions and tasks, be they operational or closer to home, in the firm base resilience sphere of influence. The Regiment is no newcomer to supporting operations and has suffered its share of loss as a result. While all the excellent training, sporting, engagement and AT opportunities remain a driver for the attraction of the Regiment, it is perhaps the support we continue to provide to Operations CABRIT and NEWCOMBE that define us best.
Deploying in support of both our paired regular regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and also the Royal Lancers, we have provided numerous personnel across the spectrum of ranks to support these missions and have, we believe, ensured greater awareness, visibility and utility to the Field Army on behalf of the Army Reserve as a result.
As we now turn our attention toward Remembrance Sunday and latterly Christmas, we remain mindful of our people in harm’s way while deployed, and the service and sacrifice they make, for us, and stand ready to support them when they return, and ensure we’re as ready as can be to answer the call when we are needed.
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