Community Engagement

The Mounted Troop has been conducting mock patrols and mount station at the front of the provincial Legislature. This has elicited some media response on Global Edmonton News (see Immediate Release below), and a recent interview on HCol J’Lyn Nye’s afternoon show on Friday August 31, 2018 (https://globalnews.ca/pages/audio-vault-ched/?gref=630ched and choose Aug 31 & 15:00 – fast forward to approx. 15:38).

In short, the Mounted Troop’s engagement in France, which was covered by the BBC news and Spruce Meadows was the catalyst for their unsolicited, but kindly invited significant engagement in the Soms ride (see Immediate Release below). A tip of the hat to the riders -- what a tremendous opportunity to elevate the awareness of what just one part of the Regiment is doing to support our soldiers and engage the public while engaging our historical roots.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ff6eacrt823fhpx/2018 Lord Strathconas Intro FINAL.mp4?dl=0 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) Ceremonial Mounted Troop is going to be on horses today in preparation for France.

Near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, August 16, 2018 – Yesterday the Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) Ceremonial Mounted Troop started preparing to go to Belgium and France as part of a larger contingent of 70 horse riders from all over the world to commemorate the end of World War I.

As Canada’s only Canadian Forces ceremonial cavalry, seven of Strathcona’s Mounted Troop conducted a prepatory 25-kilometre ride to the North West Mounted Police Monument on the historic Victoria Trail near Waskatenau, Alberta. These soldiers, clad in World War I uniforms and gear, are part of a troop-training exercise in preparation for the Belgium and France trip this September, where they are going for the ‘Pursuit To Mons – the Last Hundred Day Trek’.

The Regiment’s first Commanding Officer Major-General Sam Steele started his career of service as part of the NorthWest Mounted Police, and later the third RCMP member in Canadian history. Yesterday’s ride to the monument is, in part, is to pay homage to Steele and the commitment of his fellow riders on their trip in 1874 on the Victoria Trail to Fort Edmonton. Steele later serviced in WWI, as did the Strathcona Cavalry, where they helped turn the tide of the Western Front in the Battle of Moreuil Wood on March 30, 1918.

Today the Mounted Troop will be coordinating a second trip from 3KS Ranch to the Redwater Natural Area, which is approximately a 30km one-way ride.

Finally, on Friday from 11:00am-2:00pm, the entire Mounted Troop will be conducting a mock patrol of the provincial Legislature, and will be available for photos and interviews.

For more information, please contact:
Sergeant Paul Kruhlak

Backgrounder:
The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) is the only regular force armoured unit in Western Canada. The Regiment was started as a Calvary Regiment to turn the tide of the Boer War in South Africa first commanded by Major-General Sam Steele.

On the 12 September 2018 4 members from the Strathcona Mounted Troop will be making s second trip to France to partake in the ‘Pursuit to Mons’, where they will fall under the Imperial troop of the Canadian contingent. Very honoured and proud to be riding as Strathcona’s for this historic event, they look forward to taking part in the preparation and over-seas with their allies in this momentous event.

What is the Strathcona Mounted Troop?
The Strathcona Mounted Troop is an authorized volunteer display unit. The Troop is reminiscent of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in the nineteen twenties and thirties. The twenty-horse, twenty-five member Troop performs the Musical Ride. The ride is drawn from the Regiment’s traditions of the nineteen twenties and thirties.

When was the Troop Formed?
The current Strathcona Mounted Troop was formed in 1977. The original Ceremonial Mounted Troop was formed in 1923 as a means of honouring and maintaining the Cavalry traditions of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The original Troop was disband in 1939 when the Regiment moved to armoured vehicles as Canada joined the world in preparations for the Second World War.

Who are the people in the Troop?
The twenty-five members of the Strathcona Mounted Troop are soldiers of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The members of the Troop volunteer for one or two years to serve in much the same manner as Strathcona’s did in the nineteen twenties. Their daily schedule concentrates on the care of their mounts and equipment, and in cavalry drills and training. In addition, they are responsible to remain ready for active military duty, and must therefore participate in trade specific training.