Mounted Troop, what became of strathcona Options

[strathcona 1980]

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Ok my name is roger yarrow and i was in the riding troop in 82, i was just wondering what became of all the old horses? i use to ride strathcona and just curious as to what became of him along with billy pope,
here is a pic of myself and my horse Strathcona this was taken at heritage park in calgary in 82,i have more shots of the rides,and some of the rodeos we did in Innisvale.
would be intrested in seeing more pics from any old members from that time period.

[bnorman]

Quite a few horses died in an accident in and around spurce meadows and i cant remember which year. I believe it was almost the full troop was wiped out. What happend is a coyote spooked them in the fenced area by the huge flag and they ran towards the 22X running into traffic. I further believe 2 people were killed as well.

My understanding is that a few of the horses were used for the exhibits at the museum.

Im sure Jason could elaborate on this.

[strathcona 1980]

IM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE TIMELY PASSING OF THE HORSES,THOSE HORSES WERE WELL TRAINED IN THE MUSICAL RIDE
AND WOULD CARRY ON IN THE RIDE IF A RIDER FELL. I HAVE BEEN PRETTY FOND OF STRATHCONA AS HE WAS THE BIGGEST HORSE
IN THE TROOP AT THE TIME AND THE MOST HEAD STRONG. MOST RIDERS COULD NOT HANDLE HIM. BUT HE AND I HAD A BOND AS I WOULD
WORK WITH HIM ON MY OFF HOURS JUST TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE TENT PEGGING, AS HE WAS SHY OF BIG CROWDS AND LOUD NOISE.

I WOULD BE INTRESTED IF ANY OLD PHOTOS ARE AROUND OF THE OLD TROOP BEFORE OR AFTER THE MOVE TO EDMONTON

THANKS

ONCE A STRATHCONA,ALWAYS A STRATHCONA

PERSERVERE.

[Chris Anderson]

When I was with the troop in 1991, Strathcona was already retired but was in charge of the paddock while we were on the road.
It is possible that he was sent to "Panarama" near Golden, BC.
You may remember Sabre, he was my horse and I believe he was sent there.
[attachment=46:sabre.jpg]
A couple of the horses were pastured in Rocky Mountain House some at the new stables in Edmonton.

I believe it was the early hours of September 13th,1992. The accident was a terrible time for the troop.
We had just put down Subaltern, (or "Grubby" our Coke Drinker) the day before.
He had caught his leg in the fence and somehow broke it. (the Paddock that was provided to the troop at the time was substandard).
We lost, I think 6 that night. Let me try to remember. Sentry(Our curly draft horse), Scimitar(the Arabian), Sam(Brand new and Docile), Saxon, Spartan and Stranger(a gorgeous Dark horse I don't remember the breed but was one of those proud horses that always put on a great show). Mark Renault and Greg MacPhee rode him.
Our Troop Leader's Horse Sentinel(a Thorobread)was one of our badly injured but was one of the survivors.
He had been injured very badly but was nursed back to health by Rooker and Jones.
Something to note was only one horse stayed back and kept watch of the Paddock. Strider AKA"KAT" our troop Pet
Brad touched on the Newspaper version of why the horses escaped, I call it the "coyote controversy"
Here is my take.
Sovereign and Spectre were the highest on the pecking order. Once their ears went back the other horses would back up so as not to be kicked or bitten. There were 8 portable open stalls that were brought to the open paddock for the 17 horses that we brought. They were placed only 10 feet away from the one side of the fence. (Should have been put in middle but.......who am I?). The fencing was put up as a temporary paddock in a old part of the parking lot. The boards were nailed from the outside and were not sturdy. It started to snow that evening and the horses would have gathered for shelter behind the stalls. All it would have taken is for a couple of the horses to lean up against the fence as the 17 of them maneuovered into the 10 foot space and snap, the fence was down and the horses were free. And that's what happened
The scene was not pretty as a GMC Van had come over the hill in the dark section in front of Spruce Meadows and didn't see the horses. The passenger of the van had been celebrating his 29th birthday and was being driven home because of his condition. He was killed instantly.

There is more info in the Strathcona Manual
Pages 183-184
http://www.strathconas.ca/pdf_files/regtmanual2ndedition.pdf
There are a few errors in there with regards to the troop I think.

Supremacy was the one who slept during the ride I have a great picture of me on him and he looks like he's asleep.
Subaltern was not part of the 22X accident. He was put down at Spruce Meadows.
Sam wasn't killed in a training accident he died on 22X
I beleive it was Saxon????? that was killed in the training accident when his hoof clipped a 3 foot stake that was sticking out of the ground by about 4 inches.
The picture in the Manual looks like Supremacy. A perfect horse for the Officer.

Martin Cuff - If you are out there help me out on this one if you see any discrepancies.
Or anyone if they have extra details that I may have missed.

[Bronson]

Its been along time since i have been to this board, I also served with you Trooper Yarrow, Its me trooper Scott.. I have just found an old Strathconian with pictures of when we raised our huge wooden sign in front of the stables in Calgary...I came here and low and behold not much chatter in the riding troop forum.

Spectre was my last horse before leaving the Military, he also got me the most Professional Rider Award that year as well, I wonder if the beautiful trophy is still in good repair...

It was a tragic day when that incident took place at spruce meadows, Also sad to learn that Saxon ended his day the way he did, He was my first mount in the troop The big Old Mumble lip beauty (American Saddle Bred)....

My Thoughts go out to all the old troop.. And to all who serve as I type.. Very Proud of all of you...

In Perseverance

Trooper Tom Scott...

[tnunn]

What ever happened to Savage, aka Whiskey? Anyone?