WHAM ORIENTATION PACKAGE copyright 2004 11416 Orcas Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 warhorsefoundation.com (818) 694-9277, Fax (818) 896-8310 Heritage Foundation www.warhorsefoundation.com Dear Fellow Horseman/Trooper/Volunteer, January 2005 Thank for you interest in being a participant/volunteer with the War Horse & Militaria Heritage Foundation (WHAM). Your support, time and dedication are greatly appreciated. Please take a few minutes to read the enclosed documentation, so that you better understand the goals of WHAM, safety, waivers, and standard operating procedures for the organization. WHAM is a 501-3c foundation under the National Heritage Foundation (NHF) with a miniscule budget that operates solely from donations and volunteers. WHAM is looking for angels and corporate sponsorship in order to survive and grow. Additional funding will allow the foundation to enhance its uniforms and improve the accuracy of it presentation of famous regiments. A larger budget will also help to cover the many operating expenses that make it possible for WHAM to attend more festivals and events. We survive solely on donations and all contributions are fully tax deductible. If you have any questions about WHAM, NHF or potential donors, please contact Fritz Bronner, Director of WHAM: (818) 694-9277, 11416 Orcas Ave Lake View Terrace, CA 91342. 11416 Orcas Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 warhorsefoundation.com (818) 694-9277, Fax (818) 896-8310 Goals & Overview: The primary goals of WHAM are to promote “equine spirit from the past”. This is accomplished by presenting famous cavalry regiments throughout history in musical rides, parades, festivals, endurance rides, battle reenactments, filming shoots, VIP events and other functions. We honor the role of the horse in military history by accurately portraying many regiments. Some of the regiments that we currently present are: American Colonial Dragoons 1777 Bavarian Chevauleger 1812 Scots Greys 2nd Dragoons 1815 British 17th Lancers 1879 British Queen’s Dragoons 1879 Boer War Yeomanry Cavalry 1900 German Kolonial Kavallerie Prussian Uhlans 1900 Bavarian Chevauleger 1900 Prussian Dragoons 1900 Bavarian WW1 Cavalry Currently under construction are: US Cavalry 1930 British Life Guards 1879 Prussian Kuirassier 1900 Indian Lancers Performing with our equine companions at WHAM events is fun, rewarding and promotes long lasting comradeship. Riding Philosophy: WHAM promotes a classic English/European style riding technique. This is to insure a military uniformity among all the riders in performance. Please understand that this is not a criticism of other riding styles. We are trying to demonstrate proper English riding and need to maintain this from a historical perspective. We tend to focus more on precision and equitation than just speed. 11416 Orcas Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 warhorsefoundation.com (818) 694-9277, Fax (818) 896-8310 Levels of involvement: Rider: WHAM is always looking for riders to join the various regiments and musical ride teams. Requirements: Participants must be experienced English riders (male or female) from small to medium-large build. (Our current uniform inventory limits us in size range; larger riders might need to acquire personal specific uniforms and or additional equipment). ALL RIDERS must be able to safely perform at all gaits and quickly learn cavalry maneuvers. Our current participants range in age from 10 to 70 years. (JUNIOR RIDERS (UNDER 18) MUST HAVE WRITTEN PARENTAL PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE). Having your own horse is a plus. Participants who own horse trailers may be asked to assist with transporting horses to various events. Practices: You must be willing to attend mandatory practices so that the unit can safely and effectively perform the required maneuvers. Practices vary from 1 to 4 times a week. The main practice session usually takes place early, every Saturday morning in the Lake View Terrace Area – All participants must be available for this on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Additional sessions will be added as necessary before specific events. Extra Skills: Some riders will be asked to carry flags, lances or weapons, use of firearms, jump or ride side saddle, etc. This will require additional practices and time with horses. More advanced riders will also perform stage combat. Junior Riders: (less than 18 years of age) will be evaluated for their riding skills, maturity and responsibility. Their parents will understand that a disruptive rider is a potential safety hazard and can be asked to leave to leave the team. They will be required to learn safety procedures, English riding, some history of horses and cavalry as well as equine health and grooming. They will occasionally be reviewed or tested for their knowledge of horses, equipment, maneuvers and history. While this provides an invaluable education experience for the young participant, it is also a serious commitment. As part of the team, they will be relied upon by the group as a whole and must be capable of handling the responsibility of that magnitude. Promptness, preparedness, self-discipline and a “team-player” attitude are absolutely mandatory. Riders less than 18 years of age are required to have their parents sign a waiver of liability in order to participate. 11416 Orcas Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 warhorsefoundation.com (818) 694-9277, Fax (818) 896-8310 Volunteers: Your participation in WHAM is greatly appreciated even if you are not a rider. Whether you are a horse lover, history buff, friend or relative, we need extra hands! Volunteers provide invaluable assistance as ground crew helping with uniforms, equipment, horses, rider support, training, transportation, video and still photography and many other critical assistance positions. Often we have hats or uniforms for you to borrow, so that you are a participating member of the group and able to be with the riding team in secure areas behind scenes. We often have our non riders march in parades with the mounted unit in full uniforms. WHAM also participates in many historical battle events that offer tremendous opportunities for involvement by ground personnel. Horses: Allowing the use of your horse as a participant with WHAM will offer invaluable training and conditioning. Drill practices teach the horses to be well mannered and experience. They will be exposed to many different stimulus and challenges, including music, crowds, applause, flags, drums, trumpets and many other items. We have found that the horses that do participate regularly with WHAM enjoy the musical rides and company of other horses. Some horse owners have found this regimen very beneficial for their horses to having exercise and it also helps their state of mind. Horse candidates will be evaluated and continually observed by WHAM to see if they are suitable candidates as participants. WHAM considers several criteria, including, health, ability, training, temperament, attitude, breed, color, experience etc. Some horses may need more individual training before they can safely perform with other horses. Please be advised that some horses may not be best suitable. Horse owners will also need to sign a waiver of release. Team Spirit: The musical ride can best be described as a precision dance with horses. Each rider must partner not only with his or her horse, but with every other horse/rider team and the group as a whole during a program. This makes the musical ride among the most mentally challenging of equine events. Everyone must all work together in sync; monitoring spacing, speed, distance, awareness of other riders and most importantly safety. Learning new choreography can be challenging and occasionally frustrating, requiring patience and calm persistence from all concerned. A good positive attitude and an ability to understand the needs of the team as a whole is often the greatest value. 11416 Orcas Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 warhorsefoundation.com (818) 694-9277, Fax (818) 896-8310 Public Contact: Remember that as a member of WHAM, you will be in the public eye. You must enjoying speaking and sharing with the public, helping to teach others about horses, riding and history. You also need to vigilant for safety with the public nearby! Performances, especially in difficult conditions such as hot days in wool uniforms can be stressful. (Be sure to take electrolytes and drink plenty of fluids.) The public will approach members (and should be encouraged) wanting to take photographs, pet the horses, ask questions etc, you and your horse must accept and be prepared for these occurrences in advance. We are ambassadors who must remain friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and polite at all times in our dealings with the public. Please take down information and accept business cards, the person you are talking to could be a future donor or participant. If you have an issue or concern with a fellow participant/volunteer, please keep this discussion out of the public eye or ear. Try to resolve this in a civil manner in private. Costs: As a team, we share expenses and costs. Most events have entry fees which can vary greatly. Other expenses involved in performing can include: transportation/gas, insurance, dry cleaning of uniforms after events, class or clinic participation fees, incidental fees such as snacks and drinks that are brought for the use of WHAM members during an event. If other expenses arise in conjunction with a specific event they will also be fairly divided among the participants. In addition to parades, exhibitions, musical rides, battle reenactments etc., WHAM also participates in endurance rides, often in uniform. Each rider will be required to cover their own expenses at these events. A great deal of historical and cavalry equipment is provided by WHAM and needs to be properly maintained and cared for. Once items are issued to a rider or participant for and event, those items are the rider’s/participants’ responsibility. If any item is lost or seriously damaged, it is expected that the rider will replace the item.