The Governor General's Horse Guards (GGHG) is a historic cavalry Reserve Force regiment serving under 32 Canadian Brigade Group in Canada. Privileged to be this year’s host, and one of many distinguished units within the Toronto Garrison, allow us to brag a bit about our roots and history.

Formed in 1855, it is one of Canada's oldest and most distinguished cavalry units. The regiment was initially established to serve as a mounted guard for the Governor General of the Province of Canada, and it has since evolved into a ceremonial and reserve unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As the theme for this year’s Garrison Ball is recognizing the Victory in Europe (1945), The Regiment spent the early part of that year in Italy and on February 20, 1945 the regiment moved with the 1st Canadian Corps to North-West Europe (Netherlands) where it continued to fight until the end of the war.

The Regiment has been serving Canada as a reserve regiment continuously since the Second World War. It was in 1941 that the Regiment lost its horses to become a mechanized regiment of tanks. The Regiment remained a tank unit until 1965 when it was tasked as a light recce regiment in jeeps. The Regiment converted back to an armoured tank regiment with the introduction of the Cougar Armoured Car in 1982. In 1950, the GGHG provided 50 volunteers for duty with the Special Service Force in Korea. Individual volunteers and small groups have served with Canadian NATO contingents in Europe and on UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. In 2004 the Regiment began to augment the regular force with personnel in Afghanistan earning the Regiment its last battle honour “Afghanistan.”

An integral part of the The Horse Guards domestic capabilities, the unit is privileged to have a public facing music capability through the establishment of a Band. The band, established alongside the regiment, plays a crucial role in parades and public events, adding a musical flourish to the regiment's ceremonial duties. It contributes to the rich history and tradition of the GGHG, reflecting its long-standing role in Canadian military and ceremonial life. The Band is known for its versatile performances and distinctive uniform, greatly enhancing The Regiment's ceremonial presence.

Horse Guards continue to this day to volunteer for service on overseas missions augmenting the Regular Army. The Regiment has assisted the civil authorities during domestic troubles, including Hurricane Hazel in 1954, the Ice Storm in Ottawa in 1998 and the flooding in Quebec in 2017. The Cougar armoured cars were replaced with jeeps in 2005 designating the Regiment as Light Recce once again. The jeeps remain in service to this day, but are augmented with the new Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle. This new vehicle puts the Regiment on equal ground with the Regular Army and enhances the Regiments capabilities as armoured soldiers. Today Horse Guard officers and soldiers continue to support army operations at home and abroad.