Ceremonial Mounted Troop at Spruce Meadows 2021
During the month of September, CMT deployed 20 soldiers and horses to Calgary to support the three Spruce Meadows Tournaments. The Troop conducted 40 vidette tasks and provided VIP vedettes during the Round Table and Palliser Dinner.
The Troop also conducted a musical ride on Saturday 11 September to commemorate the end of the Nation's tournament and the beginning of the Master's tournament. Spruce Meadows played the Moreuil Wood centennial video prior to the Troop's entrance into the international arena. The Troop’s attendance at the tournaments felt as though we were almost back to normal, although spectator attendance was kept to a minimum.
At the end of the ride, Brigadier General Fletcher, Commander 3rd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (West), presented a coin to one of our soldiers, Cpl Trae Prosser, who is releasing from the CAF but will continue to serve the community as a correctional officer.
The evening was culminated with Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Craig Hilton, Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Mallette and Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Kevin King presenting CMT's new carriage “Margaret” to the Southern family during the Nation’s Dinner. Also included in the presentation ceremony were Captain Ali Mansour, CMT Troop Leader and Sgt Paul Krulak, CMT Ride Master.
On Saturday 18 September, the Troop had the privilege of escorting Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, AOE, B.Sc., Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, into the International Ring using the newly christened “Margaret” which commemorated the beginning of the Queen Elizabeth II cup.