Invitation To The Saddle
Historic Militia Recruits Over Pancake Breakfast
DANIELLE BEAUMIER, 8, of West Hartford, and Marcia Roberts of Simsbury, pet Jete during an open house for the First Company Governor's Horse Guards Sunday in Avon. The event was intended to attract prospective members to the historic 219-year-old unit, and Danielle's brother, A.J., is interested in joining. (JOHN WOIKE / November 25, 2007)
AVON — - Thirty-two hooves pound the turf in unison,
silver flashing from horseshoes. It's a day for salesmanship at the
headquarters of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards, and the uniformed
riders are eager to impress.
This little militia unit doesn't have the kind of advertising money that can
invite everybody to Be All You Can Be, Aim High or join The Few, The Proud.
Instead, it's got an annual pancake breakfast.
The public has come by the dozens to see the horse guards in action on their
own Avon acres. Families with children line the fences to see a cavalry
squad drill in tight formations. Tours snake through the stables and the
tack room. And, of course, pancakes are eaten.
But there are several people lingering longer, filling
out paperwork, talking earnestly with the officers and enlisted members of
the troop, and that's the main point of the Sunday affair. Recruiting.
Connecticut has four units of organized militia — groups of volunteers
used mostly for parades and ceremonies. The two companies of governor's foot
guards and two companies of horse guards are administered by the state
military department, but are not used for active military service.
The units, whose histories date back more than two centuries to the start of
the nation, rely on a steady trickle of new recruits to maintain their
unbroken traditions. Numbering a few hundred, the members are available to
respond to the governor's orders during natural disasters and civil
emergencies, but they are mainly dedicated to keeping history alive.
For the first company of horse guards, an event like Sunday's helps remind
people that they are around and are operated by members of different ages
and backgrounds — even people who had never ridden a horse before they
signed on with the guard. New applicants are at least 18 and not older than
55, and they should be healthy enough to handle the riding and hard work,
said Staff Sgt. Bree Berner, a 10-year member. The phone number is
860-673-3525.
Christopher White, who lives in Avon, stumbled across the unit's website: www.govhorseguards.org.
The Connecticut native is a "horse person" who had lived out of
state until returning recently. As a history buff, too, he said, "It's
just a natural fit. It's just absolutely a natural fit." So he put in
his application.
John Teri-Savage, from Canton, also applied Sunday. The electrical
contractor's sons are grown, he said, and he has time to do this. He likes
the idea of the camaraderie and civic involvement. "I'm looking to
broaden my horizons," he said.
Another hopeful was Leo Martigneni from Torrington, who read about the
pancake event in the newspaper last week. "He's been talking about it
ever since," said wife Jane. If he gets in, he'll need a supportive
family. Members devote at least one night a week, and usually more.
It's run as a military organization, with ranks, uniforms and discipline.
And like the military, it provides members with uniforms, equipment,
training and — of course — horses. The unit keeps more than 30 brown or
black horses, most of them donated. As a mark of their importance, the
horses enter the service at the rank of sergeant.
That outranks Pfc. Tara Stapleton, a state employee who joined the unit last
year. A horse rider all her life, she said, "I was lured in by the
horses, but the troop has given me a lot more than that. It's definitely a
second family." The family includes accountants, correction officers,
lawyers, stay-at-home moms and cabinet makers.
They may not be fighting wars, as they did in the last century, but the
guards keep busy marching in parades, leading ceremonies, organizing
anti-drug programs and standing ready to help with search-and-rescue
operations. They also help usher in the state's new governors, and are
usually invited to presidential inaugurations.
Nine people turned in applications on Sunday. The unit will look for a few
more by February, then the new class of recruits will start trying to earn
their spurs. And next year, at the public pancake breakfast, they'll ride in
formation and keep eyes out for the next round of recruits to keep a
219-year tradition from fading away.
Contact Jesse Hamilton at jhamilton@courant.com.
