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6 delightful equine mascots (including one who disgraced himself in front of royalty)

Amanda Vlietstra Amanda Vlietstra

    • Horses are lucky — well, we all knew that, but the military and college football teams really seem to think so…

    1. The Queen’s fave

    Photo Caption:-Pony Major Corporal Mark Wilkinson is responsible for the care, training and welfare of Cruachan III Shetland pony and former Royal Regiment of Scotland Mascot ‘Cruachan III’ was awarded the ‘Tarragon Trophy’ from The British Horse Society today at a special event held in Redford Barracks in Edinburgh. The ‘Tarragon Trophy’ is the British Horse Society ‘Equine Personality’ of the year award and is presented to horses or ponies that have contributed to the community, overcome hardship or deemed to have the personality worthy of the esteemed honour. Helene Mauchlen from the British Horse Society, said: “Every so often the BHS is privileged to meet an equine that has delivered untold benefit to humankind, and Cruachan is just that pony. “In his long life he has brightened the lives of so many people, from casual acquaintances at events, veterans and sick children and on top of that he does his day job of representing, inspiring and motivating our army. “He is a credit to all equines and an example of the untold good that horses and ponies provide. It is our pleasure and a privilege to present him with the Tarragon Trophy.” Shetland pony, Cruachan III, retired in 2012 at the age of 23 after nearly two decades of military service. For almost 17 years he took part in numerous military parades, Highland games and became a much loved addition to the cast of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The endearing pony was also a personal favourite of Her Majesty The Queen and attended Balmoral Castle each year when she visited Scotland. Colonel Alastair Campbell, Regimental Secretary of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “Cruachan III marched proudly with Scottish infantry soldiers on parade for 17 years, firstly with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and then The Royal Regiment of Scotland. So we are extremely pleased that the British Horse Society has recognised his service drawing attention to the contribution of S

    Five-year old Shetland pony Cruachan IV is the mascot for the the Royal Regiment of Scotland, having taken over from his predecessor Cruachan III when he retired in 2013, aged 23. Named after Ben Cruachan mountain, the tradition of the Shetland mascot dates back to 1929, when Princess Louise presented Cruachan I to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The fact they’re only on Cruachan IV says a lot about the long lives of these hardy little horses. Cruachan IV’s said to be a favourite with The Queen, who often visits him when she’s in Scotland. It may not surprise you to learn that he loves Polos.

    2. Take wing

    PegasusthePony

    The Parachute Regiment also has a pony mascot, officially known as Pegasus. The first Pegasus, a black New Forest pony, was presented to 1 PARA by the Lt. Ben Arkle in 1950. Pegasus III was quite a character, whose 15 minutes of fame came when he relieved himself during the Queen Mother’s Birthday Parade. The current incumbent is Pegasus V – but a number of other battalions have also had ponies as mascots, including the PARA 2’s Bruneval in the 1960s, who was apparently a wee bit frisky and often galloped off down the runway! He was retired to a quieter life in Limassol Zoo with two donkeys and a camel for company.

    3. Beating the drum

    The Queen’s Royal Hussars also have a horsey mascot in the massive shape of 19hh Alamein – or Dudley, as he’s affectionately known, this Midlands town being where many of the regiment were trained. Drum horses are used as part of the ornamental marching band, carrying two kettle drums, plus a rider – so need to be weight carriers, and extremely calm in temperament. He also needs a very special, highly trained rider, as drum horse’s reins are steered with the rider’s feet!

    Continued below…

    4. Stubborn as…

    The United States Military Academy college

    The United States Military Academy college football team (that’s American football, people, not proper football or soccer as the Yanks call it) are known as the Black Knights, but their mascot is a mule. Apparently, this is because of the long history of the mule in military service operations, and because they demonstrate strength and perseverance — Army Mules are still part of the US armed forces. Who knew?

    5. Thunderous applause

    The Denver Broncos

    American football team The Denver Broncos come from Colorado, the US state that’s famous for thunderstorms….so naturally their mascot is a horse called Thunder! Actually, they’re now on Thunder III (real name Me N MyShadow), with all the “Thunders” owned and trained by Ann Judge-Wegener, who rides the handsome grey purebred Arab gelding onto the pitch, cantering from one end zone (whatever one of those is) to the next every time their team scores a touchdown. It’s a demanding job for the mascot, as in addition to his on-pitch duties, he visits schools, attends functions and even goes into elevators. Me N MyShadow had 10 years of training, from aged three to 13, before his first public appearance. What a good boy!

    6. OTTB (off the track thoroughbreds aka, ex-racehorses) on top

    Racer One

    College football seems to attract equine mascots, for some reason. Murray State has a tradition of using a retrained racehorse as its official mascot; nicknamed Racer One, it does a lap of honour round the stadium every time its team gets a touchdown. Hmmm, maybe we should import this noble American tradition — how about it, Manchester United or Chelsea?

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