1LT Frank Judice leads the First Horse during the Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 10, 2012.

Members of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard paraded in Hartford on March 10th during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The troop proudly joined the thousands on hand to celebrate Irish pride and heritage.

For more photos from the day click here.

Lt. Tara Downes and PFC Jim Beattie introduce Hannibal to the kids at Horse to Homecoming.

On January 29th the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard once again launched a new year of ‘Horses to Homecoming,’ a program in association with Operation Military Kids which brings out the children of deployed Connecticut soldiers once a month for ten months, to learn about horses and their care, and gives them the opportunity to do a number of horse-centered activities. The children write in their journal to their deployed parent to share their experiences while they are away, and when the parents return from deployment they join the children at the Horse guard to see the horses they have been working with while they were away.  January’s event drew fifteen military children of all ages to the event.

PVT Dan O'Flaherty and Gregory pose with a new student at H2H.

For more photos from the January H2H event, go here.

The First Company Governor’s Horse Guards – the nation’s oldest continuously active mounted cavalry unit – announced today that the entire month of January is “Recruiting Month.”

Horse Guard Recruiting Month will feature weekly tours and coffee every Thursday night for those considering applying for the 2012 recruit class. These events, open to the public, will be held every Thursday in January from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 280 Arch Road, Avon.

The Fist Company Governor’s Horse Guards recruits members each year for a 16-week training program that includes instruction on cavalry-style equitation and drill and ceremony.

“Those who successfully complete the program are invited to join a Connecticut cavalry tradition that has spanned centuries,” said Major Michael P. Downes, troop commandant. “Our members come together from all walks of life and backgrounds for a common cause – to serve our state and community, and maintain a proud part of Connecticut’s history.”

The First Co. Governor’s Horse Guards is one of four state militia units made up entirely of unpaid volunteers. The unit drills weekly on Thursday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. in Avon, practicing mounted cavalry maneuvers and other exercises.

Applicants must be state residents and should be in good physical condition. No prior horse or military experience is required to apply.

The First Company Governor’s Horse Guards serves the Governor and people of the state when called upon; conducts “Horses to Homecoming,” a monthly equitation program for children of deployed soldiers; and recently became the state’s first and only certified mounted search and rescue organization.

For more information,  email troopemail@yahoo.com.

On Saturday , December 17, The First Company Governor’s Horse Guard will once again collect new unwrapped toys for Operation Tribute, ensuring that the children of deployed Connecticut soldiers will have a Happy Holiday Season.

Come by Carmen Anthony’s Fishhouse on Route 44/ Route 10 in Avon between 10 AM and 1 PM and join us in showing support for our troops and their families!

Click the pic above for the PDF of the poster, and share with friends!

Click below for video from our 2010 Drive.

The lucky winner of a stuffed horse at the Open House held at 1GHG on November 17th.

Holiday spirit was in the air as Miller Foods of Avon hosted a Meet the “Neigh”bors event at their store on arch Road in Avon, treating Horse Guard officers and troopers and numerous guests to a home-cooked Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, November 17th.  Their hospitality was followed by an Open House at the First Company Governor’s Horse Guards facility next door where the public got to meet the troopers and their horses, enjoy numerous refreshments, and partake in a raffle and Toy Drive sponsored by local Scouts.  Toys were donated for the raffle by the Perfect Toy.

The Avon EMD operation of distributing MREs and water to Avon residents has concluded as of this evening.

With a significant portion of Avon remaining without power following winter storm Alfred, distribution of Ready to Eat Meals (MREs) and water will continue Monday through Wednesday.

Members of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard will assist in continuing to pass out MREs and water at the Public Works Garage at 11 Arch Road at the following times:

MON, 7 NOV: noon to 7:00 pm

TUES, 8 NOV: noon to 7:00 pm

WED, 9 NOV: noon to 7:00 pm

To collect MREs and water for your family please drive all the way to the back and follow the signs.  Volunteers will load your car.

Most residents in our home town of Avon remain without power following Winter Storm Alfred.  Ready to Eat Meals (MREs) and water are available to town residents who continue to be without power days after the storm.

Members of the First Co. Governor’s Horse Guard are assisting Avon Emergency Response personnel in distributing MREs and water at the Public Works Garage at 11 Arch Road.

You can pick up the MREs and water by driving to the back and we will load you up.  Please visit during the following times:

THURS, 3 NOV:  11:00am-8:00pm

FRI, 4 NOV: 11:00am-8:00pm

SAT, 5 NOV: 12:00pm-4:00pm

SUN, 6 NOV: 12:00pm-4:00pm

Come join us for a great night of fun at our “Hookers for Horses” fundraiser Friday, October 28th at the Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, Connecticut.  A $25 donation for a ticket gets you an unlimitied beer tasting, pizza, and a tour of the Thomas Hooker Brewery.

The First Co. Governor’s Horse Guards has received significant funding cuts this year and we are working to become more self-sufficient.  Your support will mean we will be able to continue the programs the volunteers and cavalry mounts of this militia company provide- including mounted search and rescue, and equestrian programs for military children of deployed soldiers.

For tickets, please contact Lt. Tara Downes at taradownes@rocketmail.com or 631-834-5234, and come join us for a great night for a great cause!

The First Co. Governor’s Horse Guards were honored to once again present the colors for the National Anthem at the home opening game of the Connecticut Whale on Saturday, October 15th at the XL Center in Hartford. Above, Lt. Cristina Kelleher leads the color guard with SGT Rebecca Rathbun, CPL Rosemary Aldridge, PFC Tom Gibson and PFC Justin Reed.  Photo courtesy of the CT Whale.