The Kremlin Sees the Opening of the Horse and Foot Guard Mounting Ceremonies’ Season

April the 14 saw the opening of the horse and foot guard mounting ceremonies' season by the Presidential Regiment at the Cathedral Square of the Moscow.

The Guard Mounting Ceremony by the Presidential Regiment is considered one of the most spectacular military ceremonies which brings together various epochs of the Russian Armed Forces in order to showcase the continuity of the glorious military traditions of Russia.

The actual ceremonial was established in autumn 2004 to recreate a centuries-old traditions; it encompassed the most spectacular elements of the Russian military ceremonies including demonstration of arms-drill and elements of horse carousel accompanied by a wind band performance.

The ceremony saw appearance by the following units of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia, committed participants of the Spasskaya Tower Festival: the Special Guard Regiment, the Cavalry Honorary Escort of the Presidential Regiment and the Presidential Band.

The programme of the guard mounting 2018 keeps the key elements which has become traditional by far: dynamical re-formations by the servicemen and particular elements with the arms. Perfect coordination and precision are the hallmark of the ceremony.

This year, the Special Guard Regiment has introduced a new element called “reverse” which has become one of the show’s highlights.

The Kremlin’s servicemen hallmark has always been the marching step. The foot guard for ¾ consists of army draftees who serve at the Special Guard Regiment and originate from as much as 17 Russian regions. The most intricate tricks are performed by contractees.

Servicemen of the Cavalry Honorary Escort present such complicated but beautiful horse formations as horse carousel, “eight”, “mill”, “candle” and “chain”, as well as demonstrate cold weapons drill elements.

The ceremony is accompanied by the Presidential Band. In 2018, the Presidential Band will play the Ceremonial Countermarch by the Band’s conductor colonel Evgeny Nikitin, Honorary Artist of Russia, created on the occasion of two anniversaries — the Centenary of the Kremlin’s Commandant Service and the Presidential Band’s 80 years anniversary.

Over the last years, the guard mounting ceremony has become a Moscow Kremlin’s hallmark. Therefore, thousands of visitors come to the Cathedral’s Square to witness the dazzling show, and no wonder that for many years the Presidential Regiment and the Presidential Band open the Spasskaya Tower Festival shows. This year, the Festival will run on Red Square 24 August to 2 September.

The Ceremony of the Mounting Guard is seasonal: April till October (warm season), Saturdays 12:00 at the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin.

For the admittance, please buy a ticket for the Moscow Kremlin.