We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine August 2017 | Page 31

and any special needs of our retired horses. We have used our funds to provide items such as a run-in shed, lead ropes for special events, custom made riot shields, custom saddles, and even a horse. We have paid to support our Unit’s participation in the National Association of Police Equestrian Championships (NAPEC) – an annual training and competition where our horses have consistently earned ribbons in equitation, uniform, and obstacle course events. We have also supplied custom shoes for a retired mount that needed them for more comfort in his new home and supplements for another retiree. As you can imagine, custom made equipment for horses of this size is not cheap. A single saddle can cost between $3000 and $4000 but we felt that the comfort of the horses and rider were worth the investment given the hours spent in the saddle for our benefit.

To raise the needed funds, we sell merchandise starring our horses, engage a large social media audience from around the world, and host events such as our annual “Miles for the Mounted Patrol” 5K through the trails of Carousel Park – home of the Mounted Patrol. We have provided over $70,000 of support thanks to our sponsors, donors, and customers.

Sgt Henasey on Darby, M/Cpl Brown on Elvis (hidden), Sgt Selhorst on Buddy, Ofc Schultz

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Photo by Melanie Litten

Ofc Schultz on Wrangler performing a terrain search following a kidnapping attempt in Delaware

Photo by Melanie Litten