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  • Events
  • 17 Jul 2026
  • National
  • Ceremonial

Rain, rivalry and rotating sticks: The world's best compete at Sandhurst

Four individuals in brown military uniforms and hats are marching in formation on a wet parade ground. They carry ceremonial canes and have red sashes. The background is a grassy area with trees.

Driving rain couldn't stop the excitement as 15 teams took part in this year's All Arms World Championship Pace Sticking Competition.

Military personnel in formal uniforms march in formation in front of a large, historic building with columns and the Union Jack flying on top. Additional personnel stand nearby, and there are cannons positioned on the ground.
A group of four uniformed individuals in blue walk in formation across a paved area, holding swords. They are observed by three uniformed individuals in brown. The setting is an outdoor space with green grass and trees in the background.
Marching individuals in uniform with green berets and red sashes are performing a synchronized drill on a large paved area. Trees are visible in the background, and a few other individuals are faintly seen in the distance.
Military personnel in formal uniforms march in formation in front of a large, historic building with columns and the Union Jack flying on top. Additional personnel stand nearby, and there are cannons positioned on the ground.

Kuwait team performs their drill during Pace Sticking Competition 2026 at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

A group of four uniformed individuals in blue walk in formation across a paved area, holding swords. They are observed by three uniformed individuals in brown. The setting is an outdoor space with green grass and trees in the background.

Bahrain Police Team performs their drills during Pace Sticking Competition 2026 at RMAS.

Marching individuals in uniform with green berets and red sashes are performing a synchronized drill on a large paved area. Trees are visible in the background, and a few other individuals are faintly seen in the distance.

Pakistan Team perform their drills at the Pace Sticking Competition 2026 at RMAS.

Military personnel in formal uniforms march in formation in front of a large, historic building with columns and the Union Jack flying on top. Additional personnel stand nearby, and there are cannons positioned on the ground.
A group of four uniformed individuals in blue walk in formation across a paved area, holding swords. They are observed by three uniformed individuals in brown. The setting is an outdoor space with green grass and trees in the background.
Marching individuals in uniform with green berets and red sashes are performing a synchronized drill on a large paved area. Trees are visible in the background, and a few other individuals are faintly seen in the distance.

Held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, teams from the UK and four other countries competed for the top prize.

A Roman tool with a modern purpose

Soldiers in formal brown uniforms and red hats stand in formation on a paved area, practicing drill maneuvers with rifles. They are positioned in front of a backdrop of trees and greenery.
Soldiers in formal brown uniforms and red hats stand in formation on a paved area, practicing drill maneuvers with rifles. They are positioned in front of a backdrop of trees and greenery.

Inspecting Officer carrying out measurement of pace stick during competition.

Soldiers in formal brown uniforms and red hats stand in formation on a paved area, practicing drill maneuvers with rifles. They are positioned in front of a backdrop of trees and greenery.

The pace stick has a long history. The Romans are thought to have been the first to use them, calling them 'passus'. They used them to measure distances when building roads, with 1,000 turns of the stick equalling one Roman mile.

We are looking for uniformity of action when turning the stick, while making sure personal drill is not affected. All the style and flair you would expect from a British Army soldier on parade must stay the same

Captain David Roper

During the Crimean War, the Royal Artillery brought the pace stick into the British Army to measure the exact distances between guns. The Infantry then used it to help soldiers march in perfect, equal steps.

What does a pace stick look like?

Military personnel in brown uniforms are marching in formation. They hold ceremonial canes, and their black polished shoes are visible. The background shows an outdoor setting with greenery and a blurred view.
Military personnel in brown uniforms are marching in formation. They hold ceremonial canes, and their black polished shoes are visible. The background shows an outdoor setting with greenery and a blurred view.

Image of pace stick in action as soldiers demonstrate their drill skills during the competition.

Military personnel in brown uniforms are marching in formation. They hold ceremonial canes, and their black polished shoes are visible. The background shows an outdoor setting with greenery and a blurred view.

A pace stick is made from light, flexible wood such as rosewood or birch. It has a brass hinge at the top and brass tips at the bottom, making it look just like a mathematical compass. It can be set to 30 inches for a slow march, or 40 inches for a quick march.

It is an immense honour to be here. The discipline soldiers show on the parade square leads to better performance in the field. If they can think as one and move as one, they will achieve excellence in everything they do.

Major Haider Gulzar

Why is it so difficult?

Warrant Officer Class 2 Daniel Davis explained:

"All the competitor needs to do is rotate the pace stick as they perform their drill movements.”

But it is much harder than it sounds.

"Sometimes people are fantastic at drill on their own, but when you put a pace stick in their hands their drill gets worse."

Head judge Captain David Roper added:

"We are looking for uniformity of action when turning the stick, while making sure personal drill is not affected. All the style and flair you would expect from a British Army soldier on parade must stay the same."

And the winner is...

Four individuals in uniform, wearing green berets and red sashes, are performing a synchronized march with high kicks. They are on a wide, paved area with large trees in the background, possibly at a military or ceremonial event.
A group of uniformed soldiers is marching in formation across a paved area. They are wearing matching brown uniforms with red sashes and are holding ceremonial swords. One of the soldiers at the front is saluting. The background features greenery and blurred trees.
Four individuals in uniform, wearing green berets and red sashes, are performing a synchronized march with high kicks. They are on a wide, paved area with large trees in the background, possibly at a military or ceremonial event.

Pakistan Team perform their drill at the Pace Sticking Competition at RMAS.

A group of uniformed soldiers is marching in formation across a paved area. They are wearing matching brown uniforms with red sashes and are holding ceremonial swords. One of the soldiers at the front is saluting. The background features greenery and blurred trees.

UK All Arms Pace Sticking winners team Grenadier Guards on action during competition.

Four individuals in uniform, wearing green berets and red sashes, are performing a synchronized march with high kicks. They are on a wide, paved area with large trees in the background, possibly at a military or ceremonial event.
A group of uniformed soldiers is marching in formation across a paved area. They are wearing matching brown uniforms with red sashes and are holding ceremonial swords. One of the soldiers at the front is saluting. The background features greenery and blurred trees.

After a tough contest, the Grenadier Guards won their section. But the overall winners, for the second year running, were the team from Pakistan. They thrilled the crowd with high kicks, spinning sticks and sharp, precise drill.

Major Haider Gulzar from the Pakistan Military Academy said: 

"It is an immense honour to be here. The discipline soldiers show on the parade square leads to better performance in the field. If they can think as one and move as one, they will achieve excellence in everything they do."