Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  2023  /  Allied soldiers earn their spurs at NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland's spur ride

SZCZECIN, Poland – Soldiers assigned to NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Poland had their tenacity tested during the 1st Battalion, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment's spur ride in Bemowo Piskie on April 15, 2023.

More than 100 candidates participated in a spur ride consisting of a series of intense physical and mental challenges. This unique spur ride involved soldiers from various nations which helped create long lasting bonds as international teammates worked together to earn their silver spurs, indoctrinating them into the Order of the Spur. Aside from participants representing the Battlegroup and the Polish Army, the spur ride saw Allies from Canada who are currently deployed to Europe.

U.S. soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment traverse through muddy terrain during the final charge portion of a multinational spur ride at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, April 15, 2023 © NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland

Service members had to rely on their skills to emerge victoriously at the end of the grueling event. All participants went through various lanes, testing teamwork and individual soldier tasks, including medical evacuations and combat engineering skills. After all of these challenges were done, they had to complete a ruck march as the final test of their endurance. 

The spur ride traces its roots to when the U.S. Army cavalry was established. The new cavalrymen were assigned horses with a shaved tail, indicating to more experienced riders that the new trooper needed additional space. They were given spurs only after they proved themselves capable of completing tasks expected of a cavalryman. 

U.S. soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment alongside British, Canadian, Croatian, Polish and Romanian Allies participate in a multinational spur ride at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, April 15, 2023 © NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland

With the United States as the Framework Nation, NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland is currently led by the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and comprises three other Allies, i.e., Croatia, Romania and the U.K. They all work in concert with the Polish 15th Mechanised Brigade into which the Battlegroup is integrated. 

The spur ride has been a cavalry tradition in the U.S. Army to test cavalry troopers' physical perseverance and mental fortitude © NATO eFP Battlegroup Poland