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Hoofprints of History

Explore 50 years of tradition and leadership from Parsons Mounted Cavalry, Texas A&M University’s esteemed horse cavalry unit.

By Lindsey Carr '24

1973

Reviving a Legacy

After extensively researching the university’s original mounted cavalry, which disbanded in 1943, Michael Collins ’74, Doug Latimer ’74 and Darrell Williams ’74 rekindle its legacy by founding Parsons Mounted Cavalry. Named after then-Commandant Col. Tom Parsons ’49, the original unit had 27 members who supplied their own horses, equipment and dues. “The more we talked about reviving the tradition, the more we realized it needed to be done,” Collins said. “Col. Parsons was a ‘can-do’ person and supported our efforts wholeheartedly.”

“The more we talked about reviving the tradition, the more we realized it needed to be done. Col. Parsons was a ‘can-do’ person and supported our efforts wholeheartedly.”

Michael Collins '74

1974

The Spirit of ’02

The Spirit of ’02, a 1902 model 3-inch Army field gun, is found at a Bonfire cut site near Easterwood Airport. It was first fired on the Quad in 1982, started booming at Aggie football games whenever the team scored in 1984, and officially became a football tradition in 1988. Today, a crew of 17 cavalry members known as the half section maintain and shoot the weapon.

1980

Breaking Barriers

Beebe Buck ’82 becomes the cavalry’s first female member. “I joined to ride horses and represent the university, but I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of what it would mean for future women,” Buck recalled. “Being the first female member taught me that you should always follow your dreams even if they’re difficult to attain.” In 2018, Rose Marshall ’19 followed in Buck’s trailblazing path by becoming the cavalry’s first female commanding officer.

Sabers graphic.

“I joined to ride horses and represent the university, but I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of what it would mean for future women. Being the first female member taught me that you should always follow your dreams even if they’re difficult to attain.”

BEEBE BUCK '82

1982

April: Building a Barn

The cavalry obtains a 48-stall horse barn donated by Houston’s Pin Oak Stables. After it was torn down, the local National Guard hauled the pieces to College Station, where members reconstructed it thanks to a $10,000 donation from Billy Bryant ’55.

December: Horsing Around

The Temple Smith Foundation donates eight Lipizzaners—valuable Austrian show horses—to pull The Spirit of ’02. Throughout its history, the cavalry has included loaned or donated horses from private donors, police departments and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as well as retired steeds from the Texas A&M Equestrian Team and movie sets. “We are committed to ensuring the horses always come first and are thoroughly cared for,” said Chaz Garcia ’24, current commanding officer. “This involves working at Fiddler’s Green three to six days a week, maintaining the facility and fences, feeding and cleaning the horses, and managing horsemanship training.”

1989

Cavalry’s Capitol Canter

Thirty-two cadets, 26 horses, The Spirit of ’02 and the cavalry’s wagon march in Washington, D.C., for George H.W. Bush’s presidential inaugural parade along with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and Ross Volunteers. The cavalry readied for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by rebuilding trailers, readying the horses’ shoes for icy roads and fundraising to finance the trip.

1999

Parsons' Endowment

George Parsons ’48 establishes one of the earliest endowed gifts for the cavalry in honor of his brother and namesake, Col. Tom Parsons ’49. Distributions are still used today to fund operating costs.

2017

Fiddler’s Green Expansion

The cavalry celebrates the grand opening of a new headquarters at Fiddler’s Green funded by a $1 million lead gift from Dorothy and Artie McFerrin ’65 and several other donors. The 4,000-square-foot renovation added a storage area for equipment, a tack repair room, offices and tie racks for saddling horses. In 2020, Dorothy committed another $500,000 for a covered arena to facilitate horsemanship training in all weather conditions.

2023

Continuing the Cavalry’s Legacy

In its 50th year, 86 members and 70 horses comprise the nation’s only collegiate mounted cavalry unit. “My favorite part of being the cavalry’s advisor is watching cadets grow and mature,” Lt. Col. Jeff Gardner ’82 said. “We afford cadets more opportunities for hands-on leadership than anywhere else in the Corps of Cadets.” That leadership has been displayed at notable events throughout the years, including stock show parades, state rodeos, the 2019 Rose Bowl Parade, the American Quarter Horse Association World Show and many more. “We strive to represent the university with dignity and serve as a visible example of excellence.”

Support the Parsons Mounted Cavalry endowment by clicking the button below or contacting Kelly Corcoran ’95, assistant vice president for development, at the bottom of this page.

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  • Kelly Corcoran '95

  • Chief Development Officer
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Call: 979.314.9475

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