Lake County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit recently attended the prestigious National Mounted Police Colloquium in Lexington, Kentucky. According to Deputy Taya Workum, who trains the mounted unit, the 39th annual National Mounted Police Colloquium was hosted by the Kentucky Horse Park Police and the Lexington Police Department. This weeklong training event included 134 horse-and-rider pairs from 41 different agencies across 13 states and Canada. Training included segments on crowd control/civil unrest, functional equitation, obstacle work and equine first aid. These combined skill sets create a mounted unit that can perform a variety of tasks, from public relations to riot situations. Workum returned as an instructor to augment an esteemed list of instructors from US Border Patrol, Toronto Police Services, Lexington Police Department and the Kentucky Horse Park Police. “The intense training does culminate in some friendly competition and the LCSO Mounted Unit members held their own against excellent competition,” Workum said. “The Colloquium provides the opportunity for mounted units to work with other mounted units which is essential, especially in Ohio where the mounted units typically have limited manpower and often work with one-another for large events.” “Mounted policing demands a great deal from both the horse and the officer,” she added. “”The Mounted Unit can be called on for everything from PR events where they must be able to handle atmospheres that are unnatural for horses (carnival rides, bands, etc.) to civil disorder with large, unruly crowds and the potential for projectiles being thrown at them. This type of training is vital to develop and maintain the skills needed to effectively execute the varying tasks required of a modern mounted unit, and the LCSO Mounted Unit is grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to attend.” LCSO Mounted Unit members Deputy Matt Byers and Deputy Danielle Sprow also attended with horses Opal and Seamus. According to the post, the colloquium ended allowing time for attendees to put their skills to the test in competition. Lake County members were awarded the third-place trophy in the equitation. “The mounted unit has proven to be a very special and beneficial commodity for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” Chief Deputy Robert Izzo said. “From community policing to crowd control, the unit adds a unique element to any event they attend. Their expertise is such that we get request for mutual aid from our local, national and even international law enforcement partners. We are very proud of the work they do.”