This is the stable of the Second Company, Connecticut Governor's Horse Guard, at Fairfield Hills, Newtown, Connecticut. By some miracle, my daughter and I got out of bed early a few Sundays ago to go watch a horse show there. Seems my kid wants to learn to ride, so that's the next adventure on the list.
Here's a bit about the 2GHC, as they call themselves:
Chartered in 1808 “to attend and escort the Governor in times of peace and war”, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard continues to serve Connecticut as willingly today as it did during Colonial times. 2GHG is part of the organized militia of the State of Connecticut, under the direction of the Governor and the National Guard. Although today’s Trooper most often rides in ceremonial functions, cavalry military training of horse and rider takes place throughout the year. The public is always welcome to visit during regular drill hours or special events.
This was an opportunity to photograph something other than flowers, rocks, and buildings. I need the challenge of living, breathing specimens! I am wondering why these girls couldn't bear to watch when they jumped, though.
I noticed she didn't turn her gaze:
56 Comments
Wow, I wonder if they've had gorgeous bright blue skies like that since 1808 too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sky!! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
A really blue sky - very long time since I saw such a sky here:)
ReplyDeleteGo for horseriding - it's fun :)
Wonderful shots. The second one is so clear.
ReplyDeleteWOW! that is one brilliantly blue sky! Love all your shots! Brought back fun memories, use to do a little of that myself.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Sandy!
Sylvia
Wonderful shots .. riding is an amazing sport and expensive .. good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou had a very fine depth to that first picture. Fences can be invaluable in photography :-)
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely post full of action!
ReplyDeleteClear & bright colours.
A sport I have not had to luxury to see in person nor had I have ever had the chance to be able to ride a horse before.
ReplyDeleteVery nice.
Wonderful post Sandy. Sky so bright and blue.
ReplyDeleteI recall our girls desire to learn to ride a trip down memory lane.
Have a great weekend.
Great blue sky and nice action shots. My sons (12years old) both ride horse for two years now.
ReplyDeletefascinating, trust kids to find new interests and drag their adults/parents along. looks like a fun day.
ReplyDeleteIn another life I was in the First Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, TX which has the only remaining Horse Platoon left in the Regular Army. (Or at least they did then, I assume it's still active.) They're strictly ceremonial of course, but we got to see them during Change of Command ceremonies and such. In fact, when we got our new CG my last year there, we got to see one of them ... er... "decorate" the parade field. Fortunately we'd already done the pass in review part of the festivities so the only thing we had to worry about was the guy behind us passing out from the heat... with a fixed bayonet.
ReplyDeleteCool stuff. I have a friend who rides and ... well, to hear her tell it there's nothing better in the world. (I remain unconvinced myself.)
A lovely place to be sure! What a great post for SWF.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely opportunity that presented itself to you. Thanks for sharing. I especially loved that first image. Calendar quality.
ReplyDeleteYou picked a great day to photograph - such a blue sky! I know what you mean about moving subjects - I get practice with my Grandchildren but often still blur. Your photos of the jumpers are nice and crisp.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. The photos are all so sharp, and the horses are beautiful. About the flowers, haha... lol
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex
You couldn't have picked a bluer sky. Great action shots too.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL day for horse watching. i would love to learn to jump horses...looks fun.
ReplyDeleteglad you were able to get out and about ^..^
Lovely work...Happy SWF!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a beautiful day outdoors. Bet you will be seeing a lot of them when she starts lessons.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, our horse's name was Old Nellie, and she was. We loved her, and she took care of us.
You might guess, it was not the same kind of riding you saw.
All wonderful shots. I find the first one delightful.
ReplyDeleteLooks challenging but fun too. I see YOUR skies are as clear and blue as MINE this week ;--)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
These are very beautiful photos of the horses and the background are so lovely. I wish I could ride a horse. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteWell that is something else. I loved the entire post from the white rail posts and barns to the girls riding the horses.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have a governor's horse guard here in OK. We use State Troopers;)
Great post and wonderful pictures, what a blue sky.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteAn Arkies Musings
Sandy: Beautiful sky at the horse farm. I love your jumping photos.
ReplyDeleteBlue sky on the weekend? I heard that never happens anymore in your area. Good luck with the riding.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Phila has a similar archaic unit that doubles as a gentlemen's club for the horsey set.
ReplyDeleteNice pics, Sandy.
Aloha-
Comfort Spiral
Sandy, a nice subject for a new Sky Watch. All very fine pictures, the atmosphere is so transparent and bright there!
ReplyDeletetotally cool pics!
ReplyDeletethank you for your support at our blog...we sppreciate each and every one of your visits...
I've loved horses for so long... you captured their essence and power with just a lens.. incredible!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great series of photos and thank you for the history. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and smiles
Beautifully captured motions. Yeah I wondered too why they don't watch while they jump. Great blue sky also on the first photo.
ReplyDeletewhen i was a kid my mom try to encourage me to get into a Horse back riding sport and since it is quite expensive compare to other sports~ i refuse hehe
ReplyDeletebut i once had a chance to ride on them
have a great day sandy and happy blogging to you
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There isn't much finer a creature than a horse.. so graceful - well maybe not that white one. ;) Lovely shots.. so crisp and beautiful.
ReplyDeletethe first photo is postcard perfect!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't every girl want to learn to ride? I think the third girl will go further than the first two unless she develops the yen for seeing who is watching her.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo is a gem.
Wonderful images!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE that blue!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images!
ReplyDeleteHorseback riding is very fun and for children a good opotunity to make relations to animals :)
Great skies and photos of the riders!
ReplyDeletewonderful photos of breathing specimens, ;-} I also wondered why the child was looking behind. I doubt it is good on the spine to be twisted upon landing. I saw some of this jumping at The Event at our local Rebecca Farms last weekend. Fun to see.
ReplyDeleteSpirithelpers
Wonderful photos, as always, Sandy :)
ReplyDeleteBlue skies, majestic horses, clean air, happy children, and excellent information...thanks for sharing :)
I love horse riding and i loved this post because best horses i can see here..Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
ReplyDeleteAnother great reason to visit your blog! Also the reason the history is so rich on the East coast. . .the countryside itself was worth the trip, yes?
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Such an interesting Company! I enjoyed reading about them. The young girls at their jumps all look great as well. Like you said, new things to photograph--beautiful horses and their riders in action! Great!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a fun visit. Great series of photos, Sandy! The stables are beautiful, as are the horses.
ReplyDeleteBefore my children got into school and sports I took riding lessons. I have always loved horses. It is such good exercise and just plain fun. I can't imagine why they would look away from the jump. They must have been scared. You gotta watch where you are going for goodness sakes.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun! Nice shots!!
ReplyDeleteGreat combination of simple colours in the first shot. Bet you were glad you got up early to those blue skies.
ReplyDeleteThat sky in the first picture is an amazing blue! I wish the sky looked like that here at the moment :)
ReplyDeleteThat deep blue sky sure shows off the white barn and rails in that first photo. My daughter rode horses for awhile. These pictures make me miss her. I hope your daughter gets the joy of riding. What a nice series of shots! Love them!
ReplyDeleteyes and here too! there is nothing like a clean white fence against green green grass
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.