The First Company Governor’s Horse Guards has returned from another historic trip to our nation’s capitol where amid pomp and splendor the unit paraded before President George W. Bush in celebration of his inauguration as Chief Executive. In spite of bitter cold and rain, the Horse Guards proudly represented the State of Connecticut and its citizens in this national celebration. A total of forty-two persons made the trip, including riders and grounds crew. After wrapping our horses’ tails and legs and loading them onto three trucks, the convoy departed Avon at 8:45 on Wednesday. The weather was raw and wet by the time we arrived in the Washington D.C. area and made our way to Prince George's County Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This was to be the temporary home for not only our mounts, but for several other equestrian units from across the country.

When not caring for the horses, Troopers spent their time cleaning stalls, polishing leather and brass and making the acquaintance of other mounted units, such as the mounted color guard from Fort Riley Kansas, members of the U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Horse Detachment from Fort Hood Texas, and a Houston-based Marshal’s Posse. Mounted police units from Philadelphia and Indianapolis were also quartered nearby. For PFC Steve Ardussi, old memories were revived when he greeted members of Culver Military Academy’s Black Horse Troop, with whom he rode in the 1961 inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

Indeed for several Horse Guard troopers, there were memories of presidential inaugurations gone by. The Connecticut unit has participated in most of them dating back to the Second inauguration of President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957. Members, such as 2Lt. David Whirty and SSgt. Brian Deane, have vivid memories of the inauguration of President George Herbert Walker Bush in 1989.

While time and weather were not conducive to any sight-seeing trips, Major Belliveau arranged for the Troop to receive a guided tour of the newly renovated Prince George's Equestrian Center and Arena, which plays host to horse shows, sporting events and other public shows.

Arrangements were made by Lt. Dale Barsness, the unit’s Public Affairs Officer, for a special dinner at the Andrews Air Force Base Officers Club on Friday night. A splendid meal was had by the troop and its guests, Colonel John D. Raphael, Military Administrative Officer for the Connecticut National Guard, and CWO5 Charles Sowles, Commander of the Fort Riley Caisson Platoon..

We listened to weather forecasts late into Friday night as there was some question of canceling the parade. But Saturday dawned and the horses were fed and watered and loaded up for transport to the first of several parade staging areas. Entering Washington, we unloaded the horses and began to exercise them in a parking lot in front of the U.S. Department of Labor, surrounded by other mounted units and much activity. By noon, we were dressed in our parade uniforms and mounted, ready to proceed to the next staging area. A short ride placed us in position and we waited in a biting cold mix of sleet and rain, for the parade to begin. Several hours seemed like days, as the presidential motorcade slowly made its way from the Capitol to the reviewing stand. In the midst of marching bands, a motorcycle units and elaborate floats, our horses were impatient but not unruly. Several celebrities passed down among the marchers including actors Drew Carey, Kelsey Grammar, Bo Derek and Delta Burke.

At approximately 5:00 pm, led by Major Belliveau and Sergeant Ray Leonard carrying the Troop guidon, Connecticut’s cavalry began moving forward. Riding seven abreast in three ranks, behind its officers, the Horse Guard began its triumphant march down Pennsylvania Avenue. Cheering crowds greeted the group. Several Connecticut residents made their presence known with shouts of pride and encouragement. When the procession turned left on Pennsylvania Avenue towards the reviewing stand, brilliant spotlights created an artificial sunshine that bathed the surroundings in light. As the Troop approached the reviewing stand, an “eyes left” was ordered and the Troop saluted the new Commander-in-Chief. Also present was our Captain-General, Governor Rowland and First Lady Mrs. Rowland.

Riding past to Constitution Avenue, we were met by our able ground crew and vehicles. Horses were unsaddled and loaded and we quickly exchanged our rain sodden dress uniforms for BDUs. The convoy made its way out of the District heading towards southern New Jersey, where arrangements had been made to quarter the horses for the night. Unfortunately a heavy snowstorm negated the plan and an alternative had to be improvised. By 4:00 am Sunday, the horses were safely bedded down in a local county fairgrounds and tired troopers had an early breakfast in a Sewell, NJ. diner before proceeding to our hotel. Five hours later, we had re-joined our mounts and loaded them for the last leg of the trip back to Connecticut.