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 150^th 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.  

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.

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.