A walk down the Municipal Center's main corridor, throughout this month, gives members of the community the feeling they are someplace very different, yet not too far away - actually just across the street, at the Second Company Governor's Horse Guard's (2GHG) headquarters. That is because the walls are lined with more than 100 photographs, all of which capture the many happenings of the 2GHG.photoandvideoartworks.comFor information about Ms Cafarelli's photography business and the 2GHG, visit thehorseguard.org.

The photo gallery, which covers the serious business of the volunteer troopers of this organized state militia, the stubbornness as well as the softer side of horses, and a glimpse into some humor to be found at the 2GHG, is professional photographer Marleen Cafarelli's sixth solo exhibition, "Life In The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard." Free to the public, the exhibit went up in the Fairfield Hills campus building on January 4 and will remain through January 30.

The pictures document activities and events, such as parades, graduation ceremonies, and drills at the Horse Guard, for the past six years.

Ms Cafarelli who, along with her husband Bill, runs Photo And Video Art Works, which specializes in corporate photography, has been a volunteer photographer for the 2GHG since 2010. She started taking photos at the Horse Guard when she was looking for a subject to capture in a panoramic shot. Second Company Horse Guard Second Lieutenant Ken Fay got Ms Carafelli to come back for multiple 2GHG events.

"Next thing I knew, I was there for everything because he made everything seem so enticing. He really drew me in," Ms Cafarelli said.

The photos include images of horses in stables and jumping out of trailers, along with one of a horse hesitant to leave the trailer titled "Frankly I'm Not In The Mood," the Horse Guard's recreational riding program Saddle Up for Life, troopers marching in parades and during drills on the 2GHG grounds, and action from the Western Connecticut Police K9 Challenge. Among the horses highlighted is Patton who, along with Major Gordon Johnson, led the way in parades.

"The way in which Marleen captures the moment, the way in which she gives the viewer a glimpse into how we serve with and care for our horses is so very important to us at the Second Horse. This glimpse gives every resident a behind-the-scenes-look at what we do in our effort to be self-funding," 2nd Lt Fay said. "Marleen gets it. She captures the action and the spirit of what the Second Horse is all about. Each photo is a story and Marleen brings that story out into the open."

Having a passion for her subject(s), of course, helps Ms Cafarelli do such a tremendous job freeze-framing the action of the troopers and their horses.

"The location is just... it's so peaceful. I just love being there. I always feel better about life after being there," she said.

So, for the past several years, Ms Cafarelli has volunteered her time taking snapshots of everything 2GHG, and she likes contributing her time for the cause, given that the Horse Guard has to raise its own funds to maintain its presence and link to history.

The 2GHG was chartered in 1808 to attend and escort the governor in times of peace and war. Although today's trooper most often rides in ceremonial functions, cavalry military training of horse and rider takes place throughout the year.

"We're very, very lucky to have it here," Ms Cafarelli said.

"The point of this whole thing is to get people out there to know about them - to know who they are and what they do," Ms Cafarelli added. "I hope that the photos bring out how much the troopers care about the horses, and really love them."

"The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard would like to thank Marleen for her years of dedication and talent in capturing the moments that matter," 2nd Lt Fay said.

A former flight attendant, Ms Cafarelli traveled the world capturing images and she started a video production business 27 years ago, adding still photography to the mix eight years ago. She met her husband, a pilot, while working, and he joined her business soon thereafter.

In addition to her volunteer work with the Horse Guard, Ms Cafarelli, who has lived in Newtown for 33 years, donates her time behind the camera to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary and Newtown Arts Festival, and serves on the board of directors for The Animal Center. She is also the vice president of the Working Women's Forum.

Ms Cafarelli has won numerous awards though the Professional Videographers Association of Connecticut. She served as president of the organization from 2004 to 09, and Mr Cafarelli served as president from 2001 to 03.

Mr and Ms Cafarelli were on the Wedding & Event Videographers Association (WEVA) international panel with other professional videographers from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, and were included in the meetings with the president of WEVA, Roy Chapman, and presidents and engineers from Sony, JVC and Panasonic, and provided their input for changes to professional camera equipment.

and