The day was Tuesday, 9 September 2014 and the Troop’s morale was high. For some it would be the last time that they would ever be at the Spruce Meadows Masters, for others, it would be first of many that they would experience in the Troop.

The Strathcona Gallery at The Military Museums has been completely re-designed and renovated over a five-year period. As a result, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Society held a ceremony to re-dedicate the new gallery.

In November of 2014, the annual Subaltern ride course was conducted under the supervision and tutelage of the Strathcona Mounted Troop.

After much deliberation and debates on whether or not the Mariner Room actually had lamps (which it very much does), plans were finally underway to renovate our beloved rest-easy.

The officers of the Regiment faced off against each other armed with pugil sticks to prove not only their technical skills in close quarters fighting, but also warrior spirit, aggressiveness, and determination expected of a Canadian Armour Officer.

As I sit here at Edmonton City Hall, I am reflecting back on my tours in Kabul and Kandahar, thinking about the faces on the panels, some I knew, some I did not. All, without a doubt, have made an impact on many members of the Regiment past and present.

The Sonic 1km is a charitable event designed to support Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), a local charity set up to provide support to at-risk youth.

On 10 October 2014, the 1984 Edmonton Oilers were celebrating the 30th anniversary of their winning the team’s first Stanley Cup. Two of the country’s greats under the same roof: The 1984 Edmonton Oilers and LdSH(RC) Pipes & Drums.

Exercise STEELE SABRE illustrated the Regiment’s high level of performance and highlighted its ability to use flexibility under strict tests of skill and teamwork.

As Remembrance Day approaches, and in light of the recent and horrendous attacks in Canada, I thought it best to reflect and let the members and friends of the Regiment see a different side of my tour.

After a nine-hour flight, I finally touched down in London, England. Two trains later and I was at the Defence Academy in Swindon, England.

While deployed on Operation NANOOK 2014 in Iqualuit, NU, the Task Force was approached by volunteers from the Iqaluit Food Bank requesting help to off-load seventeen pallets of food which they had received for their annual restocking.

We started the day like any other, besides it being Saturday. We all trickled in, one by one in silence and by 8:00 we were already at work. We’d done this many times before, now we had home advantage for the 1 CMBG Military Heritage Day ride.

This year’s trip to Abbotsford started off quietly on the morning of 30 July 2014. The most we had to worry about that morning were the terrible mosquitoes we battled while loading the horses; the tail wraps were certainly well tested.

On Friday, 26 September 2014, the Strathcona Mounted Troop was honoured to be invited back to Spruce Meadows as guests for the 2014 Service Award Dinner held in Congress Hall.

It was early morning on Sunday, 24 August 2014 when Recce Squadron began to form up in their hangar. Most of the soldiers were looking for a place to stash their morning coffee cups before falling into ranks.

The 2014 Ride Season for the Strathcona Mounted Troop proved to be yet another extremely successful season. As per tradition, the Troop took part in every major Spruce Meadows tournament.

Saturday, 6 September, marked the annual Strathcona Family Day. As always, this event was only made possible as a result of the donations made every year to the Regimental Society. Family Day is the Regiment’s way of showing appreciation to the families.

All I could hear were the thousands of voices cheering and shouting out at once, almost deafening my senses. The Calgary Stampede Parade was upon me and, in that moment, I never felt more proud to be a Canadian soldier in the Strathcona Mounted Troop.

For two weeks in August, 13 Canadian soldiers travelled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin in order to take part in Exercise RED DRAGON 2014...

Let’s face it, the world easily forgets. That’s why they always go over the top when it comes to anniversaries such as the recent D-Day 70th Anniversary.

Another year where Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) participated in the Calgary Stampede and Spruce Meadows activities was marked 3 – 6 July 2014.

All soldiers strive for excellence in their professional duties as soldiers and it is a humbling experience when a soldier gets that pat on the back for a job well done.

The Big Party was anticipated months before, with chatter spreading about what was going on and what prizes were up for grabs. This year’s Strathcona All Ranks Dinner and Dance most certainly did not disappoint.