Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron

Last updated
Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron
Gardehusarregimentets Hesteskadron
HESK logo.svg
Mounted Squadron's logo
Active 10 February 1762 – present
(263 years, 4 months)
CountryFlag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
Branch Flag of Denmark (state).svg Royal Danish Army
Type Hussar
Role Public duties/ceremonial
Size2 Troops
Part of Guard Hussar Regiment
Garrison/HQ Antvorskov barracks
Nickname(s)HESK
Patron King Frederik
Motto(s)In Actis Esto Volucris (Be swift in action)
Regimental belt Stable belt GHR.png
MarchGardehusarregimentets Signalmarch Play
Website Official Website
Official Facebook
Commanders
Current
commander
Major Christian Skovsbøll Eilschou Holm
Ceremonial chief HM The King of Denmark
Colonel of
the Regiment
Jens Ole Rossen-Jørgensen
Notable
commanders
Major Michael Mentz
Casper Persson de Renouard
Insignia
Standards GHR estandart.svg

The Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron (Danish : Gardehusarregimentets Hesteskadron, HESK), is part of the Guard Hussar Regiment of the Royal Danish Army.

Contents

The squadron provides mounted escorts for the Danish royal family and carries out ceremonial services with the Royal Danish Army. The squadron commands 75 horses, 18 officers and NCOs, and 75-100 conscripts. In addition it has a saddler, music-teacher, veterinarian, remount service and a farrier. [1]

History

In 1762, there was a possibility of war between Denmark and Russia. The general staff was wary of the coming battle, due to the Cossacks, and Denmark's inability to counter the light cavalry. Inspired by the Hungarian hussars, Denmark created their own hussar regiment and adopted a similar uniform. [2]

Conscription

The conscripts serve for 1 year, the longest time for a conscript in Denmark, with two troops starting each year, in February and August. It is also the only place where conscripts are issued silver monograms, all others regiments being issued brass monograms, of either the King or Queen. They will normally have 3-4 months of basic military training, before moving on to stable duty, where they learn basic stable duty, basic horseback riding, escort and show training, and music lessons. Each Wednesday the conscripts will practice escorts, by riding through the town of Slagelse, this is also to prepare the horses for moving amongst traffic.

The Mounted Squadron is responsible for the execution of the Army Cavalry Badge test. The badge is awarded to soldiers who have completed the Squadron’s riding training, and have subsequently served as riders in a royal escort. [3]

Uniform

A Guard Hussar in mounted parade uniform, including the red pelisse, sabretache and shabraque Jubileu de Rubi de Sua Majestade Dinamarquesa-19.jpg
A Guard Hussar in mounted parade uniform, including the red pelisse, sabretache and shabraque

The current ceremonial uniform of the Guard Hussar Regiment dates from 1870. It contains:

References

  1. "Official Website" (in Danish). Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Forsvaret Gallauniform" (in Danish). Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  3. "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.forsvaret.dk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
  4. 1 2 "Kongehuset/Kronprinsparrets-bryllup/Gardehusarregimentet" (in Danish). Retrieved October 30, 2014.