Photo by Gary Mills (Culver Academies historic Black Horse Troop.)
“I am very excited Culver has been chosen,” said Mark Waller, Director of Instruction at Culver. “I’m confident that we can really put on a good show and give a good impression of Culver’s riding program.”
The Culver riding program, which was founded in 1897, is comprised of several equestrian sports such as dressage, polo, jumping and vaulting. Their horsemanship unit began with the purchase of 16 mounts of the Cleveland National Guard’s Black Horse Troop. From this, Culver formed its own all-boys Black Horse Troop, which has grown to around 90 riders.
In 1913, the Black Horse Troop participated in the first inaugural parade of President Woodrow Wilson, and has since participated in 15 inaugural parades, including President Barack Obama’s in 2009. The troop has also escorted Queen Elizabeth II of England and participated in the Opening Ceremonies of the 11th Pan-American Games.
Culver’s Horsemanship Department eventually expanded to include two more teams; the Lancers and the Equestriennes, both elite teams for honor students.
The Lancers team is made up of honors students from the Black Horse Troop, and the Equestriennes team was created for honors girls after Culver Girls Academy was formed. Lynn Rasch, Assistant Dean of the Girls Academy and the Equestriennes coach, said the girls are excited to be participating in the Games.
“They feel it is such an honor to be a part (of the Games),” Rasch said. “Some of the girls have ridden in the inaugural parade on a national stage, and they are very excited that this will be an international stage.”
Students on both of these teams must be excellent riders and exemplify good citizenship and standing in the honor system. Waller said it will more than likely be riders from these two teams that will participate in the Opening Ceremonies.
“We are putting a lot of effort and training into this,” said Waller. “We want every moment we can to put on a good, professional show. We are taking it very seriously.”
In the Opening Ceremonies, around 40 of Culver’s riders will showcase their complex drill routines and carry flags in color guard tradition. The Lancers and the Equestriennes will also perform in the Equine Village, and Culver will have an admissions booth set up there through the duration of the Games.
“Bringing this talented group of dedicated young riders who have performed on both national and world stages complements the pageantry and attention to protocol we’re planning for the Opening Ceremony,” said Everett McCorvey, Executive Producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Culver Academies represents just one group performing in the Opening Ceremonies, which will include over 200 horses. In addition to the equine component, the “human” component includes orchestra, choir, dancers, headline musicians, movement corps of hundreds of adults and children, as well as local and international celebrities and dignitaries.
Tickets for the Opening Ceremonies are still available. For more information about purchasing tickets click here.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years, and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. Tickets to the 2010 Games are still available and can be purchased at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the Ticketmaster hotline at (800) 745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which marks the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $167 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan and the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.