Obama inauguration (HR)

[Foxtrot's]

Heard today that two Police horses from Canada are going down to Obama's inauguration.
Have not heard more yet. Picked for their calm temperaments and how they did their jobs.

[knitgirl]

Heard the Tempel Lippizans are also going.

[Beverley]

Also Culver Academy, I think, and a sidesaddle group from Ohio (mostly). There are typically a number of horses in the parade. I was supposed to provide my two horse trailer as the horse ambulance for the 1984 parade, sweetheart deal insuring good viewing, but that parade was canceled due to the dangerously cold weather.

[FalseImpression]

Heard today that two Police horses from Canada are going down to Obama's inauguration.
Have not heard more yet. Picked for their calm temperaments and how they did their jobs.

Yes, I saw that on the news last night. Two of the Toronto Mounted Police horses were picked for their temperaments. I chuckled when the reporter said that their riders were going along ... obviously not picked for any other reason than "they ride these horses"...

lol... here is the article

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/12/22/7825406-sun.html

I am sure the Mirvish family is delighted... Honest Ed was a very generous Toronto businessman (known for giving away turkeys to families at Christmas) who died a little while ago.

and another article
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/12/21/7822286.html

[cowgirljenn]

Also Culver Academy, I think, and a sidesaddle group from Ohio (mostly). There are typically a number of horses in the parade. I was supposed to provide my two horse trailer as the horse ambulance for the 1984 parade, sweetheart deal insuring good viewing, but that parade was canceled due to the dangerously cold weather.

Southern Ohio Ladies Aside is the name of the SS group from Ohio who is going. I am SO proud of them! :) I would have been riding with them if 2008 hadn't been such a rough year...

[midkniggit]

Southern Ohio Ladies Aside is the sidesaddle group - look for us in the parade :D

Unit 22, I believe.

[monday]

Aw crap, now you are tempting me to brave the crowds. SO really wants to go but I have no desire to deal with the hassle. I didn't consider a horse link though! :D

[galwaybay]

I was in one of the Inaugural parades - w/one of the ladies aside - then it was pretty cool as I think we were the only group of ladies riding - there were some other ladies but most of the mounted groups were men - like Texas Rangers, Arizona posse = I'm sure there were some women in their groups but they were all dressed w/ western hats and long duster type coats. While it was a wonderful experience and had a great time doing it (and a friend had tickets to one of the balls later that night) here was the schedule.

Meet at PG County Equestrian Center for 4:30 AM Convoy to parade site. So that meant leaving our barn around 3:00am.. fun times.. It was cold. Convoy of horse trailers into DC was an amazing sight.. every horse participating in the parade was in the convoy - I felt sorry for anyone at a traffic light - convoy had Marine Corp escort

Okay at the parade grounds. Hmm unload horses and take to starting point (Botanical gardens I believe) okay drivers of trailers - now move your trailers to end of parade route. So this means now we are standing at Botanical Gardens at around 9:30 with 20 degree weather (I know some of you in the colder parts think that's a heat spell but...) until the parade starts (after lunch around 2:00) The parades never really start on time because there is alot of smoozing going on at the lunch.. so I think we finally rode by the nearly empy reviewing stand about 4:30- not quite dark yet...

the one thing - and I'm sure the other ladies aside will be just as prepared - being the proper ladies side saddle group - we had all of our tack including sandwich case & of course flask... so after awhile I decided the flask was not doing a bit of good on the saddle; and I lifted it to my lips a very charming Texas Ranger rode by " I presume that's perfume you're drinkin' ma'am" :lol::lol:

Am I glad I did - you betcha; would I do it again - hmmm don't know

[trubandloki]

Am I the only one who finds it to be weird that they are trucking mounted horses in from Canada for the inaugural parade instead of picking some of the wonderful mounted horses we have here in this country?

[Bayou Roux]

Global conspiracy...one world order...

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[trubandloki]

No, that is not what I was thinking. I was thinking more along the lines of; we have lots and lots of very hard working mounted police units right here in the US that would have seen it as a great honor to be in the parade and have their horses be told they were good enough to be there. It seems silly that for the inauguration of our next president that they did not give that honor/privilege/exposure/pat on the back, etc to one of our own amazing mounted police troops.

[Bayou Roux]

All kidding aside, is it a financial/staffing thing? Isn't Inauguration Day one of those Orange Alert Status type days where all our services are on heightened alert? Do we maybe not have available resources to send?

I'd imagine major cities are on greater watch that day and maybe need all their units in place? And, at least here in NY State, we're experiencing incredible financial difficulties and cutting back on staffing & hours.

Dunno...just a thought.

[paohatch]

There are going to be Mounted Police Units from Metro PD (DC Police); US Park Police, Montgomery County, MD, and a few more I suspect at the I. They all have a job to do and that does not include marching in the parade. :). Its virtually an 'all-hands' weekend for the mounted units.

ps.. I work for US Capitol Police and unfortunately am working that weekend as well.

[Glimmerglass]

Culver will be there as they have going back to Woodrow Wilson (1913) and twice the number of horses they did in 2001.

Lake Forest, IL 1-15-09 (http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/news/1377608,lf-inauguration-011509-s1.article)

.. the Black Horse Troop of Culver Military Academy in Indiana ... will be the 15th inaugural parade appearance for the prestigious equestrian troop.

Berto will be among 100 Culver riders and horses participating in the historic parade. The students represent 19 states and 11 countries. More than 1,300 organizations applied for participation in the parade, and 49 were invited to participate.

The Black Horse Troop, the boys unit, and the Equestriennes, the girls troop, are comprised of the best horsemen and women at in Culver Military Academies.

Video NBC WNDU Culver's Black Horse Troop prepares for inauguration (http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/37418064.html#)

Culver plans to take 100 horses to next week's parade -- twice the number that took part in 2001.

MSNBC 1-13-09 "Culver riders prepare for big day" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28609236/)

"When you see a hundred horses heading down Pennsylvania Avenue and 72 horses have American flags. It is absolutely awesome for the spectators and the president," said Lynn Rasch, coach and choreographer of the Equestriennes.

"After four or five months of preparation, it's finally here," said Chandler.

"So it'll be loud, it'll be obnoxious, there will be sounds that they've never heard before," Eberhart said.

"Blaring police siren, flashing lights, drums. We have a band in front of us and a band behind us," Rasch said.

That's why the Black Horse Troop and the Equestriennes invited a band to dress rehearsal. One spook could be disastrous.

"Like you just heard somebody yell, 'Loose horse!'," said Chandler. "That's a big possibility of what could happen."

"You have to be calm with the horse, because they can sense your nervousness. You have to be calm and confident," said rider Kord Golliher.

[FalseImpression]

Personally, I agree that trucking horses from Canada is maybe a bit misguided, but not because there are good horses closer. In this kind of weather, I don't think I'd want my horse hauled that far to stand around for so long as a poster described.

But, they were invited and I guess it is an honour. Also, Obama (not that he has anything to do with invited mounted police to his inauguration) is seen here as willing to re-establish a good relationship with Canada... so... I guess it all fits.

[Foxtrot's]

That has to be more like it. Bush snubbed Canada (boo hoo) by breaking with tradition and going to Mexico instead of making his first visit as a sitting President to Canada. It is about cordial relations. I think the horses will be ok - the riders will be bloody cold as it sounds, from reading above, like a very.long.day.

[RainyDayRide]

I think it's a gracious gesture on the part of our neighbors to the north.

The article that FI posted the link to states that the two Canadian horses and their riders will be joining a contingent of mounted police from Michigan, which I imagine contains more than two pairs of horse and rider, so it is not as if they will be making a "Hey, look at us!" statement.

(yeah - the thought of trailering them that far in winter weather isn't great, but I'm glad that they will be there as part of the celebration.)

[Twomanydawgs]

NYPD was not even asked to participate due to a long running feud between DC and NY. The horses are the only thing I find interesting about this inaugeration. What a HUGE waste of money:no:

[vacation1]

That has to be more like it. Bush snubbed Canada (boo hoo) by breaking with tradition and going to Mexico instead of making his first visit as a sitting President to Canada. It is about cordial relations.

Also, in Bush's post-9/11 speech, he thanked a bunch of countries by name for their expressions of sympathy and support, and didn't mention Canada. Which is also a little thing, but there's a history of touchiness about little things within the long, agreeable U.S./Canada relationship.

That said, I somehow doubt inviting Canadian horses to the inaugural parade is part of Obama's plan to kiss and make up with the rest of the west.

[Foxtrot's]

He probably doesn't even know that a couple of Canadian police horses are coming - he has 'people' to attend to details :D

As for Bush - his Presidency will be remembered for a long list of faux pas.

[Ibex]

I agree - I think it's a political and not a logistics reason for the Canadian police horses. If they needed the extra hands, we'd probably be sending more than a pair.

[galwaybay]

He probably doesn't even know that a couple of Canadian police horses are coming - he has 'people' to attend to details :D

As for Bush - his Presidency will be remembered for a long list of faux pas.

Yeah like keeping the country free of attacks for 7 years - that's a big faux pas I'd say; but not to worry Eric Holder is getting rid of water boarding and closing down Gitmo; and with the nominated Sec. of Treasury knowing how to cheat the tax system - I'm sure he can figure out a bunch of things to help the economy - not paying his taxes helped his personal economy I'm sure - but I digress.

When I was in the parade there were horse troops from all over the place -

and money is no object Obama's inauguration is dwarfing Bush's who created a huge public outcry when his was 42 million, Obamas is now going to be around 150 million - but that's a drop in the bucket when you think about all the great things he's going to do.

[Trevelyan96]

No, that is not what I was thinking. I was thinking more along the lines of; we have lots and lots of very hard working mounted police units right here in the US that would have seen it as a great honor to be in the parade and have their horses be told they were good enough to be there. It seems silly that for the inauguration of our next president that they did not give that honor/privilege/exposure/pat on the back, etc to one of our own amazing mounted police troops.

Trub... they will be well represented, believe me, but they will be WORKING. Mounted Park Police and MNCPP police horses will be a major presence for crowd control and safety.

[Twomanydawgs]

Yeah like keeping the country free of attacks for 7 years - that's a big faux pas I'd say; but not to worry Eric Holder is getting rid of water boarding and closing down Gitmo; and with the nominated Sec. of Treasury knowing how to cheat the tax system - I'm sure he can figure out a bunch of things to help the economy - not paying his taxes helped his personal economy I'm sure - but I digress.

When I was in the parade there were horse troops from all over the place -

and money is no object Obama's inauguration is dwarfing Bush's who created a huge public outcry when his was 42 million, Obamas is now going to be around 150 million - but that's a drop in the bucket when you think about all the great things he's going to do.

I'm with you on this...they know not what they have done by <voting him> into office but I have a sickening feeling we are all going to find out soon and it won't be good for all of us!

[RainyDayRide]

what's not clear from FI's linked article is whether the Canadians - and the crew from Michigan they're traveling with - are going to be in the parade or are going to be working.

[Huntertwo]

Yeah like keeping the country free of attacks for 7 years - that's a big faux pas I'd say; but not to worry Eric Holder is getting rid of water boarding and closing down Gitmo; and with the nominated Sec. of Treasury knowing how to cheat the tax system - I'm sure he can figure out a bunch of things to help the economy - not paying his taxes helped his personal economy I'm sure - but I digress.

When I was in the parade there were horse troops from all over the place -

and money is no object Obama's inauguration is dwarfing Bush's who created a huge public outcry when his was 42 million, Obamas is now going to be around 150 million - but that's a drop in the bucket when you think about all the great things he's going to do.

Ah...Geithner..failing to pay taxes. And also no knowing if his domestic help was legal or not. Faux Pas? :lol:

How about the potential conflict of interest that Hillary has with her position in regards to her husbands library donors?

How about Bill Richardson having to take himself out of consideration for Commerce Secretary because of his potential legal problems.

How about Attorney General Holder and his role in the Clinton Pardons?

These few examples don't give me confidence in Obama's judgement.

Love G.W. and very sad to see him leave office..

[Moderator 2]

You know what? This is really no longer horse related, and politics can be such as miserable beast to discuss, so, we've decided to close this.

And guys, the election is over.

Closed.
Mod 2