Page 3 - December 2015

Mounted Unit Competes In Kentucky
by Trooper Mike Crowley
For the second consecutive year, the Massachusetts State Police
Mounted Unit participated in the North American Police Eques-
trian training and competition, held this October at the Kentucky
Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Agencies from the United
States and Canada were represented.

Troopers David McCann, Michael Crowley and Peter Holman
embarked on a nearly seventeen hour trek to the Bluegrass State,
arriving on Tuesday, October 13 with MSP mounts Scout, Captain
and Big Ben. After a familiarizing themselves with the grounds,
participating agencies conducted a group mounted ride led by the
Horse Park Mounted Police. The grounds of the Kentucky Horse
Park are the burial place of famed Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

Wednesday, Oct.ober 14 consisted of daylong sessions, includ-
ing equitation skill and obstacle course and riot control training.
Thursday brought the start of the competition portion of the event,
starting with Trooper Michael Crowley and mount Captain rep-
resenting the MSP in the uniform class, judged by the Lexington
Kentucky Police. Trooper Crowley and Captain placed second to
New Castle County, Delaware.

Later in the day, Troopers McCann and Crowley competed against
other agencies in the equitation class, which consisted of two divi-
sions, novice and expert. The equitation class was judged on each
horse and rider performing a modified dressage test. This tests the
rider’s ability to work flawlessly with the horse while executing sev-
eral set patterns. The Mounted Unit performed well, as Trooper
Crowley took first place on Captain and Trooper McCann placed
third on Scout in the Novice Division.

The obstacle course portion of the event was held on Friday, with
Troopers McCann, Crowley, and Holman all competing in the in-
dividual event. A solid effort was given by the MSP and the course
proved to be a challenging learning experience that allowed for
some fun navigating new obstacles with the horse.

Trooper Crowley finished the week 4th overall and Trooper Mc-
Cann 7th overall in the Novice Division. It was a great showing by
the MSP Mounted Unit; It was a success built upon from last years
competition and testiment to the continued hard work of all of its
members.

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French·and·electric·blue·December·2015·page·3