Tommie Turvey to Perform Live at The 2nd Company Governor’s Horse Guard. Can you say extreme? That’s Equine Extreme(ist) Tommie Turvey — and HIs Amazing Horses — who will perform live at The Second Company Governor’s Horse (2GHG) in Newtown, CT on Saturday, August 11, 2012.
The show and accompanying vendor marketplace will kick off the “2GHG Commandant’s Cavalcade 2012”, the 1st annual equine and agricultural event hosted by 2GHG as a way of celebrating the rich history of Connecticut’s Cavalry while raising much-needed funds to continue their community mission.
A whole day of family fun is promised starting with the opening of the marketplace at 11:00am which will feature 150+ tables of artisans and craftspeople, equine and agricultural merchants, farms and CSA’s, specialty food vendors, horse and dog breeders, and much more. Also opening at 11:00am will be a meet & greet of the Troopers of 2GHG and their mounts. Children will have the opportunity to meet the special people and horses of 2GHG and “adopt” their favorite. There will also be live music all day with 2000+ visitors and show attendees expected.
Tommie Turvey and his sidekick Poker Joe travel the world performing their signature acts to sold out crowds at some of the biggest shows in North America including the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, Night of the Horse in Del Mar, and many, many more. In 2009, Pokerjoe was immortalized as a Breyer® Horse model. Tommie’s black and white Paint Horse, “Joker” who is the work horse of the bunch was chosen as the Celebration Breyer® Model Horse in 2006.
In addition to being the most sought after entertainer in the industry, Tommie is in high demand as a clinician for his no-nonsense training ideals. He has worked for the likes of William Shatner, Linda and Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson, and John Lyons and has been a featured performer at Disney in Paris, France; Medievel Times and Arabian Nights in Orlando, Florida and toured with the Royal Hannaford Circus.
As a professional stuntman and trainer, he has appeared with his horses in “Jonah Hex”, AMC’s “the Walking Dead”, “Batman: Dark Night”, Larry the Cable Guy’s “Witless Protection”, and HBO’s “John Adams”. Tommie was also the stunt trainer/coordinator for “The Greening of Whitney Brown” which will be shown as a one-nightonly feature at Edmond Town hall on Friday, August 10th at 7:00PM and 9:00PM. In addition to Tommie Turvey, there will be other live equestrian performers as well as other Cavalry like Sheldon’s Horse/The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and several more to be announced.
Major Gordon Johnson has led this all-volunteer state militia unit — part of Connecticut’s National Guard — for blank years. An elected position, Major Johnson is revered by all who serve under him and well-respected by all to whom he serves. Today, 2GHG is an active Cavalry Unit serving the Governor and the State of Connecticut at the direction of the Connecticut Army National Guard, under the command of the Adjutant General, Major General Thaddeus J. Martin. Originally formed to attend and escort the Governor, 2GHG was chartered in 1808 and is one of the oldest cavalry units in continuous service in the United States, with a history throughout the years of dedicated service to the citizenry of the State of Connecticut in times of peace and war and to the preservation of the Cavalry in Connecticut. 2GHG remains ever conscious of its responsibilities to the citizens of Connecticut and thankful to those who have made their continuing existence possible.
The idea to further engage and educate the community to the mission of 2GHG was the genesis of the development of this annual community event. Conceived of by Mary Fellows — owner of Little Merry Fellows (www.littlemerryfellows.com) and Anne Vogel —owner of Vogel Marketing Group (www.vogelmarketing.com). Mary, an accomplished businesswoman both in her wholesale/retail private label business as well as show and event planning — is a Newtown resident with a long history of community service. She is the founder and operator of Newtown’s farmer’s market (now in its 10th year) as well as the founder of the Sandy Hook Tree lighting. Additionally, she sits on the board of directors of Edmond Town Hall.
Anne Vogel, also a Newtown resident is the founder of Vogel Marketing Group — a creative marketing, graphic design and promotion firm now in its 14th year — with offices in Bethel, CT and King of Prussia, PA. Anne and her staff have planned numerous equestrian events with Olympians such as Anne Kursinski and Eric Horgan. Anne is also known for her community service in championing fund-raising events for Danbury Hospital Children’s Development Fund as well as events to benefit children with life-threatening and serious illnesses.
Say Mary and Anne; “The plan was to develop an annual family fun event at 2GHG that will be a yearly destination event for people from CT and other surrounding states. Something everyone would look forward to and wait for every summer — like our own Bridgewater Fair.” Funds raised during this event will be applied toward 2GHG programs such as: Saddle Up for Life: a recreational horseback-riding program for people with disabilities — a 100% volunteer program, with Troopers and members of the community working together to ensure its safety and success. Horses for Hospitals: a $5.00 donation enables 2GHG to bring a hospitalized child a plush horse.
Tickets are available NOW online at www.friendsof2ghg.org — where ticket purchasers can buy and download their tickets and print right on their home printers.
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