Recent Events & Upcoming Events
Recently... More recent pictures (last modified February '09)
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The troop's 2009 horse show was a big success; thank you,
competitors! Candid
photo gallery

Members of the troop and staff participated in the annual
celebration of "June Day" in Boston, sponsored by the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery corps. more
photos

Memorial Day, Avon: Lt. Stapleton lead the Color Guard as part of
the formation in the troop's hometown. more
photos

Memorial Day, Berlin: CPT Boucher and Fire led the troop during
Berlin's annual Memorial Day parade. more
photos Berlin
Citizen and photo
gallery

Memorial Day, Portland: 1GHG marches in Portland's parade. Middletown
Press Article more
photos

Memorial Day, Tolland: 1GHG marches in Tolland's parade. more
photos video

1GHG visited the Canton Intermediate School during the 5th grade's civil war
history week. SGT Howard Miller spoke to the students about the history of
Connecticut's Governor's Horse Guards, and CPL Rosemary Aldridge shared the
horse's anti-drug message, "Say Nay" to drugs. The riders
performed a demonstration then answered many questions. May 11. more
photos
The troop honored former troopers who've passed away this year in
its annual Memorial Service, which was followed by the Family Day picnic.
The troop again participated in Windsor's "Shad Derby"
parade, Saturday, May 16.

The troop proudly lead a parade in Stamford honoring police
officers. May 3. more
photos
CPL Tara Stapleton, SGT Ed Fisher, and CPL Frank Berrian are
proud to graduate from the National Guard's Basic NCO course, a 6-month effort
full of challenges. April 26. more
photos
The troop shows its support for the BNCOC graduates.

Official photos, courtesy of the National Guard. Click each for large
versions.
1GHG provided a mounted color guard for the University of
Connecticut's annual Horse Symposium. March 21. more
photos
The Governor's Horse Guard was proud to provide a color guard for a Veterans' Wartime
Service Medal Ceremony in Fairfield. March 21. more
photos
Militia Pistol Match Brings out the Best of Four Units.
Teams from all four Militia Units participated in a .45 pistol match held
at the Metacon Range on 20 March. Once again, the Second Foot came out ahead,
followed by 1GHG, the Second Horse and First Foot. Everyone regrouped following
the match in our drill shed for pizzas, beverages and good fellowship. Our
highest scorer was CPL Donna Manning (Kneeling, third from right) 2LT Tony
Cusano (Second row fourth from left) did a masterful job as range officer.
more
photos

MAJ Johnson, 2GHG, and MAJ Downes, 1GHG, joined MAJ Offinger of 1st Co.
Governor's Foot Guard who hosted a combined drill between the three units.
more
photos
1GHG performed the color guard for the Special Olympics opening
ceremony in Simsbury February 28. More
photos

Three members of the troop attended specialized training through
our association with the region's Medical Reserve Corps. more
photos

Troop Historian SGT Miller has updated the display representing our unit in the
Hartford Armory. It was long overdue for a facelift, and SGT Miller, being
a professional archivist, paid full attention to detail. Included is a
placard with a brief historical summary and information about 1GHG.

The troop provided a color guard for a Veterans' Wartime medal Ceremony in
Stratford. Left to right: SSG Erik Kaneko, 1LT Cheryl Proctor, Representative
Larry Miller, Veterans' Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz, Deputy Commissioner
John Wiltse, Representative John Harkins, Senator Dan Debicella, 2LT Tony Cusano,
and CPL Richard Zaczynski. Jan. 5, 2009.
Troopers enjoyed a traditional ride on New Year's Day. It
was cold but bright.

The troop provided a color guard in Stratford for a ceremony honoring Veterans
with the Connecticut Wartime Service Medal.
Shown centered are State Representatives Jason Perillo and Larry Miller, both
from Stratford.
Santa rides again, helping out the Horse Guard's Operation
Elf drive Saturday, Dec. 13. more
photos

Santa visited the First Company Governor's Horse Guards! Sunday, December
7.

The troop held its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House Sunday, November
30. The public is invited to visit and observe our regular drills any
Thursday night between 7:30 and 9:30pm. more
photos

Lt. Cusano led a 6-man color guard through New York City to honor
the historic event known as "Evacuation Day," when the British no
longer occupied New York City following the Revolutionary war. This event
is celebrated with a parade every 25 years. Nov. 22. more
photos
1GHG performed a color guard honoring veterans at the Avon Senior Center on
Veterans' Day.
From left to right, Tom Nicholson, Cheryl Cleaves, Greg DeManche, and Rich
Zaczynski, led by Lt. Tony Cusano. more
photos

Troopers and Boy Scouts participated in a drill as part of the Medical Reserve
Corps. to respond to a flu pandemic. Nov. 5. more
photos
1GHG honors our Veterans during the parade in Hartford Sunday, November 2.
More
photos (plus new ones) and more
photos

October 23, the troop held a Change of Command Ceremony to honor retiring
commandant Andrew Arsenault and congratulate incoming Major, Michael P. Downes.

Following the Change of Command ceremony, Cheryl Proctor was promoted to First
Lieutenant, and Leon Losapio was promoted to Second Lieutenant.
Congratulations to them both, and we thank them for their willingness to serve.

The 1GHG Color Guard attended the graduation ceremonies for the Hartford Mounted
Police unit (center), which has been training at our facilities under Major
Arsenault's staff instructors. State Capitol, Monday, October 6. more
photos news
article

1GHG supported the "Ride for the Cure," a fundraiser for the American
Cancer Society's battle against breast cancer.
This event was held at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret. October 5. more
photos and more
photos, courtesy of the event organizers

The Second Company Governor's Horse Guards, our sister unit, celebrated their
200th Anniversary with a parade and Battalion Review at the New Haven Town
Green, and a gala ball in the evening.
More
photos (courtesy of John Tolisano) and more
photos (courtesy of 2GHG)

The troop participated in the town of Windsor's celebration of its 375th
anniversary. September 28. more
photos news
article

Members of 1GHG recently attended the annual U.S. Cavalry competition, held this
year in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
General
photos - Competition
photos - Travel
photos
Next year's competition will be held in Fort Robinson, Nebraska, a great
historic venue.
The troop escorted Governor Rell at "Connecticut Day" at "The Big
E" Wednesday, September 17. ~
more photos ~ and more
photos

The Friends of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards held its Third annual
golf tournament to benefit the troop and the CT National Guard Family
Foundation. September 8. The 2009 tournament will be Monday,
August 31. More
information More
photos
1GHG provided a fine color guard for the CHSA finals in Mystic Sunday, September
7. ~ more photos ~

1GHG completed another Annual Training at Camp Rell, Niantic August 3-9. ~
more photos ~
Annual Training Awards

General Scorzato congratulates SGT Gary Boucher as the troop's selected Trooper
of the Year.

General Scorzato congratulates MSG Steve Meltzer as the Major's selected Soldier
of the Year.

From left to right, newly promoted CPL Tara Stapleton, CPL Evelyn Moore, CPL
Rosemary Aldridge, SGT Rebecca Rathbun, SGT Katy LaCroix, and Assistant Platoon
SGTS Ed Henfey and Gary Boucher.

PFC John Cantelmo and MAJ Andrew Arsenault earned the troop's ribbon for meeting
the Army's Physical Fitness standards.

SGT Rebecca Rathbun and CPL Richard Zaczynski have earned their 5 Year ribbon
for their service to the troop.

Following the graduation ceremony, this year's recruit class enjoys cutting the
cake with the traditional saber.

As always, both squads worked hard and the competition was extremely close; 2nd
Squad was awarded Squad of the Year following the annual Squad Competition.
The 2008 All-Militia Battalion Review was held Sunday, July 13 on the
Norwichtown Green. ~
more photos ~

"1st Horse" hosted a combined drill with the "1st Foot"
Thursday, June 26.
More photos are available on the Foot Guard's web page: Photo
Gallery

The troop marched in a parade celebrating East Granby's 150th
Anniversary Saturday, June 7.

1GHG participated in the annual "June Day" Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Corps. events Monday, June 2 in Boston, MA.

Captain Ken Jacobs and Chip led the troop in the Avon Memorial Day parade May
26.

The troop marches down the street in Berlin prior to the start of
their Memorial Day parade. May 26.

Memorial Day Parade, Portland, May 25.

The troop honors Memorial Day in Tolland, May 25.

The troop marches during our own annual Memorial Service.
May 18.

The troop marches off to the Shad Derby in Windsor. Saturday, May 17.
Historic Video Now on You Tube!
We now also have our own YouTube channel with lots of videos, more to come. Use the "subscription" feature to know when videos are added.

In March, 1GHG hosted a seminar conducted by the Connecticut
Horse Council introducing local fire departments to horse barns. (more below)

The Avon and Simsbury Fire Departments learned basic horse
handling and much valuable information which will help them respond effectively
in case of a fire in a horse barn.
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Shooting Match - January 2008 The annual Inter Militia Unit firearms competition hosted by 1GHG and was held Friday, Jan.18th. The firearm of choice was .45 cal. handguns. All four militia units participated; there were 40 registered shooters and many additional members assisting and providing support. The event took place at the Metacon Gun Club in Simsbury and was followed by post-match festivities back at Avon (above). The record-breaking participation and unrestrained enthusiasm by all four militia units was inspiring, the competition and rivalry fierce, and after the smoke cleared and the scores tallied, fun was had by all. For a second year in a row, 2nd Co. GFG took first place, bringing home the nonexistent trophy. 1Co. GHG placed a close second, again. Next year, 1Co. GFG will be hosting and has vowed to take home first place. We look forward to the challenge with spurs on!!!! More photos below. |

From left to right: Tom Nicholson, Carlos Ramos, Cheryl Cleaves, Andy Arsenault,
Antonio Cusano, Ryan Pelkey, Donna Manning, John Cantelmo, Steve Meltzer, Ketil
Osland, Leonard Tolisano, Howard Miller, Erik Kaneko, Bill Cowell, Cheryl
Proctor, and kneeling, Corey McDonough. Not pictured, Rebecca Rathbun.

1SG Bob Mazzara was thanked and congratulated by the troop on his retirement
after over 20 years of service to both Horse Guards. Jan. 3. 08.
The militia units were proud to play various roles laying to rest former
Governor William A.O'Neill. Nov. 29, 2007.
The troop marched in Stamford's Veterans' Day parade, Sunday, November 11.

Major Andrew J. Arsenault proudly names Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele as an
honorary Captain in the First Company Governor's Horse Guards. LG Fedele
enjoyed his tour and visit to the troop Thursday, October 4.

2LT Michael P. Downes receives the troop's Achievement Award; Lt. Governor
Michael Fedele was on hand to congratulate him.
Lt. Downes received the award for the design and implementation of a physical
fitness program for the troop. 10/4.

On Saturday,
September 15th, 2007, the First Company Governor's Horse Guards provided a
color guard for two ceremonies hosted by State Representative Themis Klarides
honoring veterans from Derby, Orange and Woodbridge. Roughly 600 people
attended the event where over 200 veterans were awarded the State Veterans
Wartime Service Medal at the Jewish Community Center in Woodbridge.
Pictured, left to right are: 2LT Michael Downes, PFC Tony Cusano, Dept. of
Veterans' Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz, SGT Erik Kaneko, SGT Gary
Boucher, PFC Rebecca Rathbun, Representative Themis Klarides, and Deputy
Commissioner John Wiltse.

The troop congratulates several boy scouts and girl scouts who worked hard and
earned horsemanship merit badges this spring.

The troop congratulates SGTs Erik Kaneko and Howard Miller on their graduation
from the National Guard's 6 month NCO training program.


Members of the troop are running boy scouts and girl scouts through training
that will result in horsemanship merit badges.
The troop was proud to escort Governor Rell in her Inaugural Parade. Jan.
3.

Our Color Guard is ready to march in Canton's Anniversary Celebration, Saturday,
May 20.
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1GHG Proudly marches in the Inauguration Parade for President George W. Bush
January 20, 2005, Washington, D.C. more
photos

1GHG was proud to perform as the color guard for the "Equine Affaire,"
the largest equine symposium in the Northeast November 16-18, 2004.
& Upcoming...
The troop continues to drill at its home base in Avon every Thursday night throughout the year. If you'd like to learn more about us, come for a visit! 7pm is the best time to arrive.
We will be having our annual inspection by the National Guard in June.
We will be hosting our annual Horse Show Sunday, June 14th. more info
We will be hosting a combined drill with our sister unit, 1st Co. Governor's Foot Guard, in June.