Troopers in a platoon line at the Forward Observation Base at Stone's Ranch during annual training exercises.

The First Company Governor’s Horse Guard has concluded a week of annual training exercises conducted at the Connecticut National Guard base at Camp Rell, Niantic.  The exercises lasted from 7-14 AUG 2010.

During the week-long deployment, troopers engaged in intensive training in mounted cavalry and dismounted drill, and competed in squad competition testing mastery in their mounted cavalry knowledge and skills.

Second Squad led by SGT Evelyn Moore.

The entire troop also rode out nine miles in a column to bivouac at the Stone’s Ranch military installation in East Lyme from Tuesday to Wednesday, establishing an authentic field cavalry camp and picket, and staying over in shelter halves.  During the bivouac, there was an evening ride to the Forward Observation Base at the ranch, and drills in Search and Rescue and outdoor survival, before riding back the following morning.

Troopers establish field camp at Stone's Ranch for the overnight bivouac exercises.

The 2010 recruit class graduated during training in a ceremony Thursday evening where they took their oath, were promoted to privates, and presented with their authentic cavalry spurs which were forged in 1916.

Squad competition between the first and second squads of the riding platoon was intense this year, with SGT Evelyn Moore’s Second squad edging out last year’s winning first squad led by SGT Katy LaCroix. The Squad competition was overseen this year by CPT Bob Mazarra and MAJ Steven Meltzer, experienced retired troop members currently on the staff of Major Commandant Michael Downes.  A number of members of the Major’s staff also contributed to the testing process.

First Squad led by SGT Katy LaCroix

The troopers also nominated and elected their Trooper of the Year for 2010, SGT Katy LaCroix.

No camp would be complete without the annual traditional rite of Swim Call, where troopers ride bareback down to Niantic Bay, practice their balance and perfect their seat by swimming their horses out into the water.  This year, the Hartford Courant, Channel 3 and Channel 30 News crews showed up to watch the event.

CPL Nicholson and PFC Teri-Savage during Swim Call. Photo by Brooke LaValley of the Hartford Courant.

Each day of work was concluded with an evening parade on base with the other units of the state militia who were on hand to train that week as well: the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard and the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

Major Michael Downes leads the troop back to Camp Rell from bivouac at Stone's Ranch.

All members of the command volunteered their time without pay to attend annual training proudly in the service of the people of the state of Connecticut.

See more pictures from the week of annual training here.

Culminating sixteen weeks of hard work, the 2010 recruit class of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard were put through a significant rite of passage: the traditional “Major’s Ride.”

On this day, the recruit instructors present the recruits to the Major Commandant and Captain of the Troops, who evaluate each prospective trooper individually as well as collectively, to see how well they have mastered their instruction.

The recruits are inspected head to toe, questioned on trooper knowledge and troop history,and are evaluated on uniform turn-out, numerous picket-line procedures, and proper placement and use of equipment.  The recruits are then sent mounted to report to the Captain who tests their knowledge of the horses and equipment and procedures, and then to the Major who tests their riding knowledge and skill.

Th class of 2010, including RCTJustin Reed, RCT Robert Thevenet, RCT Lisa Vander Ploeg, and RCT Bob Auclair demonstrated excellent proficiency in all areas of instruction.  One hurdle now remains for this class…  one week of annual training at Camp Rell in Niantic which culminates in their graduation and becoming brand new privates in the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

View more photos of the ‘Major’s Ride’ here.

Nineteen officers and troopers of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard have concluded a six-day fundamentals of search and rescue class (FUNSAR) and taken a critical step closer toward establishing the state of Connecticut’s first and only certified mounted search and rescue team.  Participating troopers previously took and passed three courses in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) administered by FEMA, and passed a three-day course in February in Search Management.  In May, the troopers took and passed a course in crime scene preservation. 

The FUNSAR course was administered by Gordie Snow, formerly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police where he served as the director of search and rescue for New Brunswick, Canada, and Al Beland and Pete Vernesoni of Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue (CCSAR). It was held July 9-11 and July 16-18, including some day and night outdoor search exercises.

“There remains some training to complete, but we are much closer now toward the goal of certification for a Mounted Search and Rescue team,” said Major Michael Downes, Commandant.  “This will give the state a great resource in emergency services previously not available to it.  These troopers have made a tremendous sacrifice in volunteering their time and money to make this certification happen.  I am proud of their hard work in the service of the people of Connecticut.”

FUNSAR graduates were: Major Michael Downes, Captain Gary Boucher, Lieutenant Cristina Kelleher, First Sergeant Bree Berner, Staff Sergeant Erik Kaneko, Staff Sergeant John Terase, Sergeant Rebecca Rathbun, Corporal Tom Nicholson, Corporal Cheryl Cleaves, Corporal Daniel Ouellette, Corporal Gregory DeManche, PFC Anne Hatfield, PFC Daniel Filipone, PFC Robin Sleeman, PFC Frank Judice, PFC Laurel Urda, PFC Nancy Merritt, PFC Tom Gibson, and PFC Melissa Urda.

The entire training process for certification is expected to conclude this fall.

Gordie Snow demonstrates human tracking techniques.

Pete Vernesoni of CCSAR instructing the class.

Operation Purple Camp provides a free camp experience to children of service men and women in 38 states.  This year, Channel 3 Kids Camp in Andover is home to Operation Purple Camp in Connecticut.

On Monday, July 12, twenty troopers and ten horses from the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard paid a visit at the Andover site to over one hundred and thirty children of those who serve this nation in the armed forces.

The campers and counselors were treated to a squad riding demonstration as troopers performed maneuvers showcasing  the mounted drill work of the cavalry company. Following this, the campers had a question and answer period and lined up to meet the horses up close and personal, and were given rides on the cavalry horses.

The First Company Governor’s Horse Guard were proud to be a part of the event and recognize the creed of Purple Camp: “Kids Serve too.”

Photos courtesy of LTC Russell Bonaccorso

CPL Evelyn Moore was promoted to SGT at Final Formation during drill on Thursday, July 1st.

SGT Moore, who has served with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard since the spring of 2001, was assigned squad leader, second squad in the troop’s riding platoon.

Congratulations SGT Moore!

Colonel Everett H. Kandarian 1918-2007

From 1955 – 1984 the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard was commanded by Everett H. Kandarian, a tremendous cavalryman, horseman, marksman and leader.  Until his passing in 2007, COL Kandarian remained actively involved, supporting the troop he commanded for twenty-eight years.

By an act of the Connecticut General Assembly, a portion of Route 4 in Farmington was designated as the “Everett H. Kandarian Memorial Highway.”  On Sunday, June 20, 2010, a brief ceremony was held on the grounds of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard officially making the designation.

Major Michael Downes presented members of the Kandarian family with a replica of the sign designating the highway during the 31st Annual Horse Show. Accepting the presentation were COL Kandarians’ daughter Fay Kandarian and her husband William Lipp, daughter Joan Kandarian Symon, COL Kandarian’s brother Albert Kandarian and his wife Lillian.  Also present were officers who served alongside COL Kandarian: MAJ Dominic Manise, CPT Calvin Lyon, and CPT John Stone of the Major’s Staff.

Born in Boston, MA on February 16, 1918 to Sarkis and Rose (Ophalian) Kandarian, the Colonel lived in Cambridge, MA from 1925 to 1939. He was enlisted in the 110th Cavalry from 1935 to 1939, the 208th Coast Artillery (AA) from 1940 to 1942, Connecticut State Police Motorcycle Section from 1942 to 1946, Camp Perry, Ohio National Rifle Matches in 1939, 1986 through 1994 and in 1939 was the 110th Cavalry Regimental Rifle Champion.

He served in the 43rd Military Police Company (CNG) from 1946 to 1948, the 1st Co. Governor’s Horse Guards-Conn. Militia from 1949 to 1996, as Major Commandant from 1955 to 1984, Chief of Staff as Colonel from 1985 to 2005 and Governor’s (Conn.) Military Staff from 1955 to 1991. He was qualified as expert in rifle, pistol, sub-machine gun and machine gun. Colonel Kandarian was a life member of the National Rifle Association, American Horse Shows Association for which he served as a horse show judge and steward. He was a life member of the U.S. Cavalry Association (CT State Rep.).

Presentation of the replica sign for the new "COL Everett H. Kandarian Memorial Highway." Pictured are major Michael Downes with Fay Kandarian, her husband William Lipp, Joan Kandarian Symon, Albert and Lillian Kandarian, MAJ Dominic Manise, CPT Calvin Lyon, and CPT John Stone.

He was employed by United Technologies for 39 years and retired as the Chief Inspector on jet and rocket engines. He also worked for the State of CT for 12 years as senior design engineer. He played polo for the 110th Cavalry and 12 years for the Farmington Valley Polo Team. He was a past Master of Wyllys St. John Lodge #4 A.F. & A.M. and active in the ancient accepted Scottish Rite, Royal Arch Order, Sphinx Shrine Temple-Desert (horse) Mounted Sheiks, Legion of Honor and Royal Order of Jesters.

In 1966, he was the National Commander of the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands and Life Director. He was awarded 50 years Long Military Service Medal from the State of CT of Merit with two oak leaf clusters. He was also a member of the Americal Division Veterans Association, life member of the National Guard Association of CT and life member of the 100 Club of CT. In 1976, he was responsible for the re-enactment of the postrider of the 1776, bringing a copy of the Declaration of Independence, from Philadelphia to Hartford on his famous horse, “Tastee Graham”. In 1996, Everett received a “Masters Certificate” from the American Horse Show Association of America for promoting the first American breed of horse, the Morgan horse. In 2005, he was awarded the Horse Cavalry Medallion from the U.S. Horse Cavalry Association, in Fort Riley, KS. He was married to Thelma Dibble for 65 years leaving their three children, Fay, Joan and Don.  He was predeceased by his favorite horse, “Tastee Graham.” He passed away at home on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

Hank

The First Company Governor’s Horse Guard has bid farewell to two of their faithful mounts.  Hank, an American Quarter Horse foaled in 1987 and adopted by the troop in 1999 was adopted out to a good home to live as a pasture buddy to another horse.  Thunder, a standardbred foaled in 1989 and donated in 2000, was adopted out last month as a pasture buddy.  Both adoptions are continuing with the state Military Department’s mandated herd reduction due to state budget cuts.

Both horses leave 1 GHG with thanks for their many years of dedicated service.  They will be missed.

Thunder in the pasture.

On Sunday, June 20th, the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard held its 31st Annual Horse Show on their grounds in Avon, CT.  The show featured numerous classes with talented riders and beautiful horses.  Proceeds from the show go to support the non-profit “Friends of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guards” which provides support to all the undertakings of the troop throughout the year.  The troop would like to extend its thanks to all the competitors and vendors who helped make the 2010 show such a tremendous success!

For more pictures of the event go here.

Lt. Cristina Kelleher leads the mounted colorguard at the start of the 31st Annual First Co. Governor's Horse Guard Horse Show.

The troopers of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard are continuing the hard work that will result in the company becoming the only certified horse mounted search and rescue (MSAR) unit in the state of Connecticut.

Troopers work on map practice problems during a land navigation course. Photo by 1SG Berner.

Back in February twenty-three troopers took a three day Search Management Course administered by Gordie Snow, formerly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and members of Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue (CCSAR).

To date, troopers have also taken a course in Crime Scene Preservation, and are half-way through instruction on land navigation.  They have also take three FEMA courses in the nationwide Incident Command System (ICS). In July they will take two three-day courses in the Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR).  Before the troopers are finished, they will also be certified in emergency first aid, large animal first aid, and mounted rescue.

Troopers are hoping for completion of the intensive program sometime in the fall.  For more about the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard’s Search and Rescue program go here.

Major Michael Downes pins Captain bars on Anna Bongiorno as she is appointed to the staff June 10th. - Photo by CPL DeManche

At final formation on June 10th Anna Bongiorno was appointed to the Major’s staff at the rank of Captain. CPT Bongiorno served as a trooper for many years including several as a Riding Platoon NCO and Riding Platoon Officer before retiring from the troop in 2009.

The entire command is happy to see CPT Bongiorno’s return. Congratulations, Captain!

CPT Bongiorno and other members of the Major's staff: L-R: CPT Bob Mazzara, MAJ Steven Meltzer, CPT Anna Bongiorno, Anna's brother Paul, Lt. Cindy Paniotto, CPT Brian Dean.