Horse Guard Supporters Rally

By Kendra Bobowick

Following this week’s emergency meeting is another chance Sunday for residents to support the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG), which is facing imminent closing. On July 24 advocates will continue rallying to save the more than 200-year-old guard unit — one of two in Connecticut — that is yet another casualty of state budget cuts. The guard could be consolidated with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard in Avon.

Supporters will have a booth set up to receive financial contributions and signatures on a petition Sunday between 8 am and 3 pm during the horse guard’s horse show off Trades Lane near Reed Intermediate School. A rally was scheduled Thursday, July 21, at 7 pm, at the horse guard to jump start efforts on a community level to fund and show support for the 2GHG.

Horse Guard proponent Ken Fay sent word via e-mail to a host of supporters stating the guard’s dire position: “The troop has very little time to address this situation and was told two weeks ago that they had this year to organize for fundraising efforts.” But the year’s time was cut short. He wrote: “[Horse guard members] were told last week that this was no longer the case and that they would be moved to Avon.”

 He stressed, “This will eliminate any programs currently offered by the Second Horse Guard and will require the dispersal of horses with some possibly going to auction.”

Resident Chris McCormick is spearheading the local fundraising and support effort “to see what we can do” before deadlines arrive to relocate the horses on the Fairfield Hills property and lock the facility’s doors. She needs money, local awareness, and signatures on a petition headed for Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s office, she said Monday afternoon.

“We want to get this out front,” she said July 18, after making contact with the local horse community and the media. Also contributing her efforts this week was longtime horse guard friend and photographer Marleen Cafarelli, who has provided portraits of the horses that were on display at Thursday’s emergency meeting. Ms McCormick hopes the images “make it real” for residents, she said.

Already Ms McCormick has received several large donations, and assures contributors that even if the horse guard is closed, the funds will go to good use. Some of the horses will be relocated to the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard in Avon, while others will hopefully find new homes following an adoption process.

She hopes to raise $60,000 as soon as possible “to make up the difference for the fiscal year,” of which the horse guard volunteers “will not take a single penny,” she said. Funds would cover costs for operation if supporters can sway the state to leave the 2GHG intact. News that the horse guard would close “hit us like a deer in headlights,” she said. Ms McCormick is among many stunned residents and officials that reacted immediately to news on July 14 that the state reportedly handed out pink slips to horse guard members at the Fairfield Hills facility.

Calling a press conference later that day to express their support and plans to negotiate with the state were State Representatives DebraLee Hovey (R-112th District), Christopher Lyddy (D-106th), Selectman Will Rodgers, and Senator John McKinney (R-28th District).

“This is basically outrageous. No one saw this coming,” said Rep Hovey.

The two state representatives, along with Sen McKinney and Mr Rodgers spoke about ways to save the facility.

“I think today we were all shocked,” said Rep Hovey. “We understand the fiscal situation, but we are committed to developing [the horse guard’s] independence from the military and sustaining ourselves.” Referring to a prior timetable of approximately a year to brainstorm for ways to sustain the 2GHG independently, Mr McKinney said, “That timetable is moved up.” He also spoke of a commitment to the property and wants to see it preserved in perpetuity, he said Thursday.

Rep Lyddy also stood with the delegation in support of the horse guard. He urges budget cut deliberations “back to the table” for a compromise, he said.

Mr Rodgers wants the horse guard to stay.

“The amount it gives back to the community is exponential.” Aside from concerns that the “property will be ripe to attack” for other state purposes, he said, “The horse guard is a fundamental piece of Newtown.

“We’ll weigh in with our displeasure [during budget talks scheduled for Friday, July 15],” he promised, “and I hope we can renegotiate, at least temporarily.”

Since last week, Rep Hovey has no new information, but said, “We can’t figure out why they won’t listen to what seems to make sense to us. We’ll keep working on it.”

Contact Ms McCormick with questions or to make donation at 203-426-5774.