PRESS RELEASE

Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department

151 N. Main St. Warsaw, NY 14569 (585) 786-8989

Fax 786-8961

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Wyoming County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit

Rides with Toronto Police Service

On April 22^nd – 25th, two members of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit (WCSMU) trained with the Toronto Police Service Mounted Unit in Toronto, Ontario. Trooper Joann Long and 1^st Sgt. Jackie Copeland earned impressive certificates for successfully completing the Equitation & Crowd Management Seminar.

Copeland and Long participated in a variety of training and activities. The pair was completely integrated into the rigor and discipline of the Toronto Police Service Mounted Unit’s daily activities for four days, sometimes riding 3 shifts per day. In addition, the Toronto trainers provided instruction in:

· Equitation on both WCSMU and Toronto horses – focusing on balanced riding in a proper seat and position, along with exchanging horses and tack.

· Troop training – formation riding along the beach and crowd control

· Skill at Arms – galloping with a lance to spear a small ring and thereby improving balance

· Obstacle and Sensory training – performing a mix of formation riding intertwined with diverse obstacles and an in-house competition

· Patrol time – riding the Toronto city streets along side the Toronto Constables.

Constable Kalwies, 1^st Sgt. Copeland and Trp. Long

Trp. Long and 1^st Sgt. Copeland

Training With Smoke

Speaking With Jim Davis (Publisher of Hoofbeats)

Training with Toronto provided an excellent exchange of information to improve WCSMU member’s knowledge and enhance their riding abilities. The concepts and methods will be shared and promoted within their unit.

Thanks to Sheriff Ferris Heimann for authorizing the training opportunity and to Toronto Police Staff Inspector Bill Wardle for hosting the WCSMU members. Copeland and Long were honored and privileged to have the opportunity to train with the elite and respected Toronto Mounted!

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You can watch your Sheriff’s Mounted unit in upcoming competitions held throughout New York State and the East Coast. The WCSMU is looking forward to competing next at the New York State Police Olympics at Saratoga on June 15^th, Livingston Police Horse Competition at Hemlock Fairgrounds on July 19^th, the annual WCSMU competition at their training grounds on Wilder Rd on September 8^th, and the North American Police Equestrian Competition at Washington DC on September 22^nd -23^rd. For more information, please contact 1st Lt. John Copeland at 585-322-8800 or visit www.WCSMU.com.