Strathcona Mounted Troop

Our Ride Master Sgt Paul Kruhlak

Strathcona Mounted Troop on Tour

Over the years, we have achieved this aim through the maintenance of the Strathcona Mounted Troop; 20 soldiers dressed in period uniform and mounted on horseback, performing a musical ride and a tent pegging demonstration in communities throughout Western Canada.

These soldiers volunteer for a minimum of one show season. The responsibility and rigor of the Troop is in addition to their normal responsibilities as a soldier of the Canadian Forces. They are committed to presenting our "living history." The Strathcona Mounted Troop provides an active display of a unique part of our national heritage which is enjoyed by thousands of Canadians annually.

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 disbanded 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.

What is Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)?

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) is a regular force armoured unit of the Canadian Forces. The Strathcona’s primary fighting vehicle is the Leopard tank. Its reconnaissance squadron utilizes the Coyote, of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) family. The Strathcona’s are the only regular force armoured unit in Western Canada.

Who owns the horses?

The mounts of the Strathcona Mounted Troop are provided through the Ceremonial Mounted Troop Foundation, and remain Foundation property. The mounts are neither purchased by nor maintained by the Canadian Forces or the Department of National Defense.

Does the Army issue the uniforms and equipment?

The uniforms, accoutrements (badges and buttons) saddles and tack are not the property of the Canadian Forces or the Department of National Defense. These items are provided through the Ceremonial Mounted Troop Foundation, and remain Foundation property.

How does the Strathcona Mounted Troop Travel?

Public support is provided in transporting the Strathcona Mounted Troop with regards to personnel and support vehicles. Transportation of our 20 horse trailer is provided by one of our proud sponsors, Bison Transport. The twentyhorse trailer purchased in 1998, however, was provided by the Ceremonial Mounted Troop Foundation with the assistance of the Wild Rose Foundation.

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) is a proud Regiment with strong ties to Western Canada. The Regiment has always tried to preserve and perpetuate its traditions and history by maintaining a link to the period when it was first raised, by Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, as a Regiment of Cavalry in 1900.

Can the Strathcona Mounted Troop be booked by any organization?

Any organization or individual can book the Strathcona Mounted Troop throughout the active display season May through October. Availability is dependent on the distance from Edmonton, Alberta, and on conflict with annual commitments. The Troop, for instance, is booked for all major events at Spruce Meadows. An information and requirements package will be forwarded to interested parties. Please contact smt@strathconas.ca.

NOTE from Saddle Up editor Nancy Roman… my inquiring mind had some questions regarding the Troop and Captain Ali Mansour has replied, as below.

What horsemanship skills do the Troop recruits have?

None! Our riders are serving Canadian Armed Forces Armoured soldiers from the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians); they are chosen ahead of their peers by Regimental leadership to represent the unit and its Cavalry heritage.

Where did they learn to ride? From who? And how long did it take them to have sufficient skills to ride in public?

Soldiers are posted to the Ceremonial Mounted Troop (CMT) for a period of 3 years and undergo a 6 month Basic Equine Rider Course in order to earn their ‘spurs’. The training is done by the Ride Master and senior soldiers of the Troop. It is quite an astonishing accomplishment to earn your spurs! These soldiers (some of whom have never even seen a horse in person) go from no experience to conducting complex

Ride Master - Where did he or she gain their skills/knowledge from?

The Ride Master is generally a Sergeant or Warrant Officer who has had two or three tours at the Mounted Troop before taking over. The horsemanship skills are passed down from Ride Master to Ride Master in the same manner as any other training conducted in the Military. We have been fortunate to have Sgt Paul Kruhlak as CMT's Ride Master for over 10 years. He has done several years with the Mounted Troop before taking over as Ride Master. In the years between, he has deployed overseas, taught Military courses, and risen to the rank of Sgt.

And are there any female riders?

We do not have any females in the Troop currently, but we have had several female riders in the past, including a female Mounted Troop Leader (my job).

Which horse breeds make up the Troop? Who trains the horses?

We use American Quarter Horses. Like our soldiers, our horses are trained in house (usually by our Ride Master and senior riders) to perform together as a herd.

When the Troop is not out on tour... what do they do in a normal day?

The soldiers are constantly preparing for the ride season, be it training new riders or maintaining their own skills. During the offseason we tend to practice 2x a day, with a mix of group and individual training. On top of maintaining and building the Mounted Troop capability to honour our history as a Cavalry Regiment, our soldiers also need to keep up their Battle Training Standards in order to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world. Eight of our riders deployed last year to combat the floods in BC. The Soldiers of CMT are truly remarkable, and proudly contribute to the living history of the Regiment.

Today, the Troop is designated the Strathcona Mounted Troop, to perpetuate the memory of the original mounted regiment. The size of the Troop has fluctuated as resources dictated, but the traditions of the ride have been maintained. As the Troop receives no funding from the Department of National Defense, the Strathcona Mounted Troop Foundation was established. The sole purpose of the Foundation is the maintenance of stock, uniforms and equipment for the Troop. The Foundation is a registered charity and relies heavily on generous donations and the honorariums received from show sponsors. This generosity has empowered the Strathcona Mounted Troop to maintain a living history of our early military traditions.

2022 MOUNTED TROOP RIDE SCHEDULE 21 May 22 - Military Music Spectacular, Topaz Park, Victoria BC 22 May 22 - Musical Ride at the Victoria Highland Games, Topaz Park, Victoria BC 23 May 22 - Victoria Day Parade, Douglas Street, Victoria BC 25 May 22 - Okanagan Military Tattoo, Armstrong BC

For more information visit strathconas.ca