The Spring 2007 training was hosted by North Carolina State University's Mounted Patrol Unit.  Officers and their mounts were required to successfully complete the situations that could be encountered on patrol.  The obstacle course was set up throughout the campus and was challenging for both officer and mount.   Lots of team work was involved as opportunities to train occured all day.

Not pictured include portions of the course that required superior equitation skills to accomplish the task at hand such as stair climbing; walk, trot and canter transitions on command; jumping over solid obstacles; side passing to move an unruly crowd; pursing a fleeing subject and control of the mount during an assault on the officer or mount.

             There are 3 photo albums, be sure to scroll
                       down the page to see them all.

Training and certification events usually begin with a formal inspection by the hosting unit's chief of police or sheriff.  After inspection the officers split up to begin either the north or south campus courses, then switched off after a lunch break.  Click on the photo below to view the formal inspection and portions of the course including bridge crossing, riding through a tunnel with water, traversing unfamiliar terrain and maintaining control of their mount while exposed to smoke and fire.

Check it out - everyone had a chance to take on the hill...and what comes up must go down!!  Click on the photo below to view the slideshow.   

Another portion of the obstacle course included a scenario that required an organized body recovery search and crossing water.  The scenery was breathtaking.  Click on the photo below to view the slideshow.