On a very warm October 7, 2017 there was something for everyone at the 2nd Company Governor's Horse Guard. Host to the 3rd Annual Western CT Police K-9 Challenge, exotic cars, motorcycles, hayrides, pumpkin painting for the kids,  ice cream, Italian Ice and of course horses!

The K-9 Challenge was a fundraiser for the 2nd Co. Governor's Horse Guard hosted by the Newtown Kennel Club (NKC), the Friends of Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, and The Hometown Foundation, Inc. Donations raised will help keep 2GHG one of the last active cavalry units in the country based in Newtown.

2017 Western CT Police K-9 Challenge Awards Best Overall Team:

To Sgt. Nelson Struck and K-9 Tess of Connecticut 928th Military Working Dogs, Army National Guard

— New Britain K-9 Dony Gets Best K-9 Award —

— Stamford Officer Willie Gilford Wins Best Handler Award —

— Stephen A. Ketchum “People’s Choice” Award to K-9 Axe of Stamford —

Connecticut military and police K-9s tackled the obstacle course, apprehended ‘suspects’, demonstrated their obedience skills, and competed for fastest dog bragging rights. Police K-9 teams from, New Britain, Fairfield, Stamford, Clinton, Portland, and the Connecticut 928th Military Working Dogs, Army National Guard, based in Newtown were among the top winners.

2017 Western CT Police K-9 Challenge Results Winners were based on cumulative points earned in the individual events of tactical obedience, obstacle course, simunitions, suspect apprehension, and fastest dog.

Best Overall Team Awards

First: Connecticut 928th Military Police Working Dog Detachment, Army National Guard, based in Newtown - K-9 Tess, a 9-year-old female, Belgian Malinois, dual- purposed trained, with her handler Sgt. Nelson Struck.

Second: New Britain Police Department - K-9 Dony, a 2-year-old male, Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, patrol trained with his handler Officer Emily Carrasquillo.

Third: Stamford Police Department - K-9 Axe, a 14-month-old male, Belgian Malinois/ Dutch Shepherd mix, dual-purposed trained, and his handler Officer Willie Guilford.

Best K-9 Awards

First: K-9 Dony - a 2-year-old male, Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, patrol trained, from the New Britain Police Department with his handler Officer Emily Carrasquillo.

Second: K-9 Nero - 2-year-old male, German Shepherd Dog dual-purpose trained in narcotics detection and patrol, from the Portland Police Department with his handler Sgt. Jim Kelly.

Third: K-9 Maverick - a 3-year-old male, German Shepherd Dog, from the Fairfield Police Department with his handler Officer Evan Kaesmann.

Best Handler Awards

First: Officer Willie Guildford from the Stamford Police Department with K-9 Axe, a 14-month-old male, Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd mix, dual-purposed trained.

Second: Officer Jason Frey from the Clinton Police Department with K-9 Sonny, a 2- year-old male, German Shepherd Dog dual-purpose trained in patrol and narcotics.

Third: Officer Emily Carrasquillo from the New Britain Police Department with K-9 Dony, a 2-year-old male, Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, trained in patrol.

Stephen A. Ketchum “People’s Choice” Award

Based on votes from the public to honor the memory of Newtown Police Officer Stephen A. Ketchum and his dedication to the community and the police department.

2017 Winner: K-9 Axe – a 14-month-old male, Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd mix, dual-purposed trained, from the Stamford Police Department. Members of the Ketchum family presented the award.

The competition, held in Newtown at the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG) was a fundraiser for the unit, hosted by the Newtown Kennel Club (NKC) and the Friends of Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard. Donations raised will help keep the 2GHG — one of the last cavalry units in the country — based  in Newtown.

Paula Wickham, Chris Sweetwood, and Erik Grasso judged the day’s competition. Newtown Police Officer Matt Hayes was the decoy ‘suspect.’ Opening ceremonies included the Police Pipes & Drums of Waterbury. The 2GHG Commandant Major James Marrinan and Friends of the 2GHG President Gordon Johnson assisted by NKC members, presented ribbons and medallions to the winners during the awards ceremony.

The 2017 Western CT K-9 Challenge was sponsored by ACI Dynamix, Harvest Properties, K-9 Crime Stoppers, Pet Aesthetics Salon & Boutique LLC, The Hometown Foundation, Inc., and Thermo King.

The Newtown Kennel Club, founded in 1947, has a long tradition of supporting canine causes and charities whose mission includes the health and welfare of all dogs in the community. A portion of the proceeds from its annual dog shows is donated to canine-related organizations, non-profits and the continued support of Newtown’s Police K-9 Unit. For more information visit www.newtownkennelclub.org

The Friends of 2GHG was organized by former members of the Second Company Governor's Horse Guard, (2GHG), for charitable and educational purposes. The Friends are dedicated to promoting the public’s interest in, and the general welfare of 2GHG. 2GHG is a specially chartered body of troops of the organized militia of the State of Connecticut, headquartered in Newtown, Connecticut.

Media Contact: Lisa Peterson Barn Girl Media 203-788-1951 lisa.peterson@barngirlmedia.com

All Images Copyright © Photo Art Works and Marleen Cafarelli.  All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited by law