When within a mile of the Burgh all the riders were historically commanded to a halt before a race was started; accidents sometimes took place, but these were overlooked in the scramble for the goal of the centre of Lauder.  The Common Riding was ceased in the 1800s by order of the Town Council for reasons of public safety - excessive amounts of alcohol and galloping of horses down the high street seem to have been involved.

However, in 1911 there was a desire to resurrect the tradition as a way of marking the coronation of King George IV.  Help was sought from our friends at Selkirk Common Riding, and the Common Riding as we know it came into being, and since then the ceremonial aspects of the Common Riding have remain unchanged. 

The Border Telegraph had this report on 27th June 1911:

"One of the most unique features in the Border celebrations was that at Lauder, where the old ceremony of riding the marches was revived, and which proved entirely successful.  The ceremony was timed for 8.00am and long before that the Market Place was crowded, while nearly fifty horsemen were present.

Promptly at 8.30 Provost Cossar and Mrs Cossar took their stand at the Town Hall steps and Cornet Webster immediately advanced to receive the Standard.  The Standard Bearer was first invested with his sash of office by Mrs Cossar, and the Provost on presenting the flag said: 'The riding of the marches is new to this generation, the last occasion being about seventy years ago'. "

Along with the main object of riding the marches a variety of other events has always been included to make a festive week in the Royal Burgh.  Horse racing used to take place at the Castle Haugh and, later, on the Common above Greenwells, after the ride out.  Foot racing also provided entertainment with the Professional Games held for many years in the public park until 1986.  At the same time a gymkhana took place on the Castle Riggs. 

The organisation of the Common Riding and it’s associated events have always been the responsibility of the Common Riding Committee, although up till the reorganisation of Local Government in the 1970s, the Provost, as civic head of the Royal Burgh, played an important part in the ceremonial aspect of the day.  The other group that plays a large part in the Common Riding is the Ex Cornets’ Association.  It is this Association who choose a suitable candidate for the position of Cornet each year and pass their recommendation to the Common Riding Committee.

Text adapted from 'Lauder & Lauderdale', A Thomson, (1902); 'Lauderdale in the 20th Century', N McLeish & F Mackay, (2002) and 'Lauder; Its Kirk and People 1973 - 2000', S Dodds, (2001)