Little Army Pony Gets A Big Military Promotion

The Scottish military’s favourite horse has been promoted.

Cruachan the 4th, the mascot for the Royal Regiment of Scotland has been promoted from Lance Corporal to Corporal.  

It’s undoubtedly a lot of responsibility for a very small pony- but Cruachan the 4th has been a loyal member of The Royal Regiment of Scotland for 5 years.

What he lacks in size, he makes up for in work ethic, and that hasn’t gone unrecognised, as his handler Cpl Mark Wilkinson told us:

“He now has two tabs on the chevron of his ceremonial uniform. He is the face of the regiment.”

Ponies have been supporting Scottish regiments back as far as the 1920s; but Cruachan has big horse shoes to fill.

His predecessor was known as the Queen’s favourite, and retired after 20 years’ service.

It’s now down to Cruachan the 4th to maintain their reputation- he’s an annual fixture at Balmoral, and a regular at the royal Edinburgh military tattoo.

Pony Major, Cpl Mark Wilkinson, is responsible for Cruachan’s upkeep and training- with the pair travelling up and down the country together for his public appearances:

“He wears a uniform, and he needs to look clean and tidy- it takes us four to six hours to prepare him for a parade.

"We get the polish and brushes on him, just like any other soldier the night before a parade!”.

All that pressure could be too much for even the strongest stallion, but this pony takes it in his stride.

Well into his role as mascot, and steadily getting to grips with his new rank of Corporal, Cruachan continues to bring in the crowds and raise the profile of the army in Scotland.