Army
GalleryTexas National Guard soldiers carry on cavalry tradition, earn silver spurs
Stars and Stripes
June 18, 2026
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard)
Soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard earned their place in the Order of the Spur last week after completing the four-day Spur Ride — a longstanding cavalry tradition in the Army.
The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, were awarded silver spurs, which are recognized and respected by other cavalry units around the world, according to the Army.
“Traditions like the Spur Ride bind a cavalry squadron together, and every trooper who finished it is sharper for it,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Moran, commander of the squadron.
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
During the June 8-11 event, soldiers moved in small teams through graded lanes while experienced spur holders observed and simulated battlefield stress, the Army said Wednesday.
“It was one of the toughest things I’ve done since joining the Guard,” said Pvt. Matthew Vasquez. “That last day wore everybody down. Finishing it with my team made it worth every minute.”
The Spur Ride is one of several recurring training events used to reinforce combat skills and unit cohesion. When successfully completed, soldiers are inducted into the Order of the Spur.
For more than 200 years, troops were required to prove they could operate in the field, handle their horses and survive under combat conditions. Today’s Spur Ride remains largely unchanged by continuing that same emphasis on pushing soldiers to the limits but with modern combat tasks.
“The Spur Ride gives our troopers a chance to demonstrate the standards we expect of every cavalry Soldier,” said Capt. Ian Cannon, commander of B Troop and the officer in charge of the Spur Ride. “Watching these candidates push through each lane and lean on each other tells you why this tradition is still around.”
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, take part in the squadron’s Spur Ride at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8-11, 2026. (Daniel Martinez/Air National Guard )