Date: Fri 08-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Second-Company-Horse-Guard

Full Text:

The Horse Guard Plays Its Part In History

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard was on hand to lead Gov John Rowland

during his inauguartion march in Hartford Wednesday.

The horse guard, headquartered at Fairfield Hills, loaded its horses into

trailers at about 10:30 am for the hour-long drive to the state's capital. The

cold winds weren't enough to discourage this hearty group of equestrians. This

was an exciting day -- one of many events the ceremonial cavalry unit trains

for all year.

"All the state militia will be there," noted Captain Gordon McNeil, who helped

load the 22 horses into their respective trailers.

The governor's horse guard from Newtown was slated to join the First Company

Horse Guard from Avon at the state armory -- the site of Wednesday night's

inaugural ball. Both horse guard companies attended the evening event.

Connecticut has always had two horse guard companies, probably because the

state once had two capitals 200 years ago -- New Haven and Hartford.

"The first horse guard came out of Hartford and the second came out of New

Haven," noted Capt McNeil. "The horse guard used to be an elite group of men

that protected the Governor."

Of course, Gov Rowland now has a specially trained group of security guards

around him at all times. The horse guards are strictly ceremonial. However, as

Mr McNeil points out, the horse guard could still be called into action in an

emergency.

"We are the state guard. If the national guard gets called out by the federal

government, we would be there to back them up," he explained.

The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard moved to its current home at

Fairfield Hills in 1989.