The Second Company, Governor’s Horse Guard will be welcoming members of the public on Sunday, June 24, at their Fairfield Hills facility located in Newtown, Connecticut. The open house program, which will include equestrian events, tours and pony rides, will start at 10:00 am and run until 2:00 pm.

The program for the day includes enjoyable activities for all members of the family. The unit will demonstrate its authentic mounted U.S. Cavalry drill and offer pony rides for youngsters. Other activities include historical exhibits in the unit’s headquarters that highlight the unit’s 193-year history as well as tours of the newly renovated barns and facilities. Members of the unit will also be on hand to answer questions for anyone wishing to obtain information about joining the unit.

Of particular interest are the unit’s recently renovated facilities.

“We have made a lot of improvements to our facility since last year and are very excited to show them off,” said Lt. George Marks, the unit’s operations officer and organizer of the event. “Renovations have been completed on two wings of our barn and we have just completed a brand new equine training facility.”

The new training facility, dubbed Fort Mustang, is part of the last phase of a renovation approved by the General Assembly several years ago.

“We named it Fort Mustang because the first horses to be trained in the facility are our newly acquired wild mustangs,” Lt. Marks said.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard has a long history. It is one of the oldest mounted cavalry units in the nation, having been formed by an act of the Connecticut Legislature in 1808. The unit has been in continuous service since it was formed, serving both the people of Connecticut and the Nation in times of peace and war. This past January the troop rode in the inaugural parade of President George W. Bush. Still a part of the Organized Militia in the State of Connecticut’s Military Department, the unit comes under the command of the Adjutant General, Major General William Cugno.

There is no admission for the open house and parking is free. The unit will offer refreshments for a nominal charge.

For more information call 203-426-9046.