Texas A&M University’s Parsons Mounted Cavalry was invited to ride in the 83rd Citrus Fiesta’s Parade of Oranges on Jan. 25 in Mission. Parsons Mounted Cavalry is a special unit in the Corps of Cadets and is the only collegiate mounted cavalry unit in the nation. Their trip to the Citrus Fiesta Parade marks the first time that any group from Texas A&M has participated in the parade or any Citrus Fiesta events.
PMC traveled by truck and trailer with 64 cadets and 43 horses to Mission to participate in the four-mile long Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Parade of Oranges is the culminating event of the Citrus Fiesta festivities. “We are thrilled that Parsons Mounted Cavalry was extended an invitation to participate in such a significant event as the Citrus Fiesta in Mission. This was a first for our Corps and our university, and we are proud that PMC represented the Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M with pride and distinction in the Parade of Oranges,” says Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez, Jr, commandant of the Corps of Cadets.
"Being able to represent the Corps and university at the Texas Citrus Fiesta was an incredible opportunity for Parsons Mounted Cavalry,” says Mark Floyd, commanding officer of Parsons Mounted Cavalry. “Being able to be such a visible representation of our Corps and university was an incredible honor, an honor that we take seriously. This parade is unique in that it was our first time heading down to the Rio Grande Valley, so we were excited to be able to represent the university down there while being a part of one of their largest events."
PMC consists of 90 junior and senior cadets and 73 horses and mules. Named after a former commandant of the Corps of Cadets, Colonel Thomas R. Parsons, the horse cavalry unit consists of cavalry, artillery, and quartermaster elements. Military-style horse training is used to teach cadets self-discipline, confidence, leadership, and decision-making. Parsons Mounted Cavalry has been in existence at Texas A&M for 45 years. Parsons Mounted Cavalry also participated in 130 th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California last year.
