Horse Guard Celebrates Recruit Class Graduation

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG) will hold a Military Graduation Ceremony this Sunday at 10 am at its Fairfield Hills headquarters.

Members of the 10-member recruit class will receive their graduating certificates and spurs after completing a 22-week basic training course. The course included military drill and ceremony, mounted and dismounted drill and equine studies. Training Officer 2LT Jennifer Taylor, Staff Sergeant Paul Mazzara and Drill Sergeant Domingo Quiles taught the recruits Cavalry Drill, proper care of tack, care and grooming of the horses and Military Courtesy.

Graduation ceremonies will include the historic cavalry tradition of having each new Trooper open a bottle of champagne with a saber, followed by a round of toasting. Troopers will be welcomed by Major Gordon Johnson and then they will join the Unit. The event is open to the public.

The Horse Guard is an all-volunteer state militia unit serving the Governor and the State of Connecticut under the direction of the Connecticut National Guard. 2GHG is one of the oldest cavalry units in the United States and members are dedicated to preserving Cavalry traditions. The 35 troopers and 30 mounts of 2GHG practice mounted military drill year round in authentic 1928 model McClellan saddles, the last issued by the U.S. Army.