and inform the President of the commencement of the Musical Ride. Following the salute, as the commander of the New Guard orders the end of the salute, the band strikes up and the mounted platoons parade in the presence of the President. The ride ends with the troops forming in parade order and walking past the President, bringing the ceremony to a close, followed by the trot past of the band. When the President is not in attendance, only the leading officer makes the initial salute, and the official March is not played. In place of the platoons' salute to the President, the band sounds a fanfare as the Old and New Guards salute each other. The Musical Ride concludes with the guards trotting out, and is followed by another exhibition by the Chorrillos Military School and the Army Cavalry and Equestrian School's mounted units. The Presidential Escort Regiment parades in full dress uniform, consisting of white tunics with red pants in summer, and blue breeches in winter. Epaulettes, similar to French practice, are gold for officers and red for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. A gold pith helmet is worn, bearing the Coat of arms of Peru, and the dragoons are armed with sabres and lances. Formerly the FN FAL rifle, standard issue in the Peruvian Army, was part of the regiment's arsenal, but only used in dismounted drill. In 2013, bass drums, suspended cymbals, and snare drums were added to the instruments of the mounted band. See also Casa Suárez, a building whose façade is based on the Government Palace Palacio de la Magdalena, seat of the collaborationist government of the War of the Pacific References Bibliography Guides to Perú – Lima by Victor W. Von Hagen, Third Edition, 1960, pages 8,9 and 18. Caminante Magazine of Ecology and Tourism Nº 12, 1995, Essay: Behind the Government Palace House's threshold by Juan Puelles, pages 13–14. External links "Field Marshal Nieto" Regiment of Cavalry, Life-Guard of the President of the Republic of Peru Gallery Government of Peru Buildings and structures in Lima Palaces in Peru Presidential residences Baroque palaces Baroque Revival architecture Spanish Colonial architecture in Peru Neoclassical architecture in Peru Official residences in Peru