Foot and horse guards: What the Presidential Regiment is capable of

This year’s first ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry and foot guards of the Presidential Regiment took place at noon on April 17 on Cathedral Square in the Moscow Kremlin.

Cathedral Square to the sound of the Kremlin chimes and a march played by the Presidential Orchestra.

Next came standard bearers with the Russian national flag.

The ceremony is performed by the special guard company and the cavalry escort of the Presidential Regiment, to the accompaniment of the Presidential Orchestra.

The guard of honor from the Presidential Regiment demonstrated arms drills for 20 minutes.

The horse guard showed the equestrian exercise, the so-called cavalry carrousel. Each guard’s ceremonial cap weighs several kilos.

In 2008, in addition to traditional moves such as a figure eight and arms salute, they also began doing the chain: each guard in turn takes his sword out and thrusts it back into the scabbard.

To increase the visual effect, starting from 2009, the guard of honor performs each movement so that he faces the viewers at all times. This is not choreography - each movement is part of military traditions and is stipulated in military regulations.

The traditional horse and foot guard, restored in 2005, only take place during warm seasons. The Presidential Regiment spends the winter practicing.

The ceremony is based on the First Russian Military Articles describing the mounted-guard process. Such ceremonies took place in Russia before 1917, but not in the Kremlin. They marched in different locations, depending on where the Tsar was staying at the time, in St. Petersburg or Peterhof. During Soviet times, the guard of honor stood at the Lenin Mausoleum, and later at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial in Alexander Gardens in Moscow.

The Defense Ministry Orchestra played as the guard marched, and also played solo.

The Defense Ministry Orchestra played for an hour before the ceremony, making the public clap and dance.