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U.S. Cavalry School

Programs

Our courses are open to Males and Females, we have had students from 16 to 74 yrs old - so bring the family.

Typical training Schedule


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Brochures
Slideshow

 

 

Cavalry School, Little Bighorn Reenactment

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Scouts leading the Charge
 

Fetterman's Massacre
 

 

Crossing the Little Bighorn River
 

 

Braves Everywhere
 

 

Retaking the Colors
 

 

Little Bighorn Adventure (3 to 6 day)/Basic Cavalry Training Course-for Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Training

Three to Six days of excitement, living the life of an Army horse soldier on the American Frontier.  This course is held in Little Bighorn, Helena, MT or Twisp, Wa., unless otherwise stated. Begin your unforgettable experience learning in a garrison frontier environment and bedding down in a cavalry tent encampment.  Study the tactics, techniques, and customs of the Frontier Army through a combination of academic classes and hands-on instructional activities.   Benefit from an individually tailored equestrian training program and practice mounted cavalry drill.  All our training courses/encampments are Great Team Building programs, and can be tailored to your group, as in the Army Staff Ride training techniques. You will also learn to use the weapons employed by 19th century frontier cavalrymen.  Course tentatively planned at Little Bighorn; course needs 6-8 students to be run. If minimum number of students registered, course will be cancelled..

Then, after honing your horse and soldier skills, ride out on daily campaigns from traditional cavalry field encampment while conducting realistic cavalry operations.  Spectacular scenery, hearty meals, and nightly campfire entertainment will add to the enjoyment of each and every day.  At the end of the week, you will prepare for your graduation ceremony on Saturday morning.  Qualified participants will receive a re-enactor certification.   Tuition and fees for all training, meals, and accommodations: $1000-1800. Price is dependent on location and dates.  You are welcome to bring your own horse, uniform, and equipment, but all are available for rental on-site at a reasonable additional charge.
 

 

 

Pistol, Carbine, and Saber Training Programs in Action

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Pistol Range and .45 Colt Livefire
 

 

45-70 Carbine Familiarization and Livefire at Cavalry School
 

 

45-70 Carbine Livefire at Cavalry School
 

 

Cavalry Intermediate Saber Training (Mounted)
 

 

Advanced Riding Cavalry Training

Includes most of the courses from our Basic Cavalry course training, but includes advanced riding and reenacting trainings. These include dismounted saber fighting, mounted saber fighting, advanced guidon/flag bearer training, Pistol training, Demonstration trainings (pistol and balloons, sabers and rings/running at the heads), to include much more. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW. Six days of excitement, living the life of an Army horse soldier on the American Frontier. 

This course is held in Twisp, Wa at the headquarters, unless otherwise stated. Begin your unforgettable experience learning in a garrison frontier environment and bedding down in a replica army barracks.  Qualified participants will receive a re-enactor certification.  We also offer mounted combative and military operations training to military members. This is the ideal course for those that have completed our basic Cavalry School, have been a mounted Re-enactor, or an intermediate/advanced rider. You are welcome to bring your own horse, uniform, and equipment, but all are available for rental on-site at a reasonable additional charge.
 

 

 

Mobile Training Team; our courses available in WA., MT, or at your location!

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National Guard Unit
 

Saber and Rings
 

 

Prepare to mount
 

 

Marching Training
 

 

Running at the Heads
 

 

Training Team

If your group desires professional cavalry instruction, let us bring a specially tailored training team to you with a top quality course package.  We have trained everyone from the hobbiest to Reenactors to current U.S. Military Cavalry Horse Units / Mounted Honor Guards, we have the programs and courses needed to improve your level of Horsemanship and cavalry skills. We offer a Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Cavalry Riding training classes, Packer and Pack Animal Handling training, other additional courses available.

Additional courses include, but are not limited to: complete Weapons Training (Saber, Pistols, and Carbines) courses, Cavalry Tactics Drill & Marching, Demonstration Team Riding, Weapons Demonstrations Riding (Sabers, Pistols, and Carbines), Advanced Cavalry Riding, Historical Lessons (the Realities, Tales, and Fallacies of the Times) and Modern Training & Safety Program ("for the unit in the public's eye and in their space"). We also offer horseback combative and mounted military operations training to U.S. Military members. We can teach these courses at the school's Headquarters in the Cascade Mountain Range of North central Washington, the Rocky Mountains near Helena, Mt, the Bighorn Mountains of Southeastern Montana, or let us come to you. Contact us and let us develop a mobile training module to meet your specific historic and educational requirements.
 

 

Note: Cavalry Horse Gun Breaking/Training Courses: available for your horses, we can train your horse for Reenacting, Cowboy Mounted Shooting / SASS, hunting, packing, and more. Varying lengths of training to meet your needs- Call for Details.

Cavalry/Gun trained horses for sale: We occasionally have trained Cavalry (Gun Broke) Horses for sale throughout the year.

Staff Officer and Orderly Upgrade Package: Enjoy the rigors of daily training and the excitement of mounted cavalry operations while spending your nights at one of Winthrop's fine resorts, lodges, hotels, or bed & breakfasts.  We're happy to offer a variety of such packages for an additional lodging fee.  Free daily transportation to and from the U.S. Cavalry School is available.

Additional trainings for you and your groups available! These are great team building exercises. We may add trainings at any time to our schedule dependent upon need, So call to ask what trainings we can do for you and where you would like them.
 

 

Weekend Workshop

Spend two fascinating days learning about the horse cavalry, practicing equestrian skills, and firing period firearms.  Each workshop is designed to get the most out of the limited time available.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn the basics or to advance your already solid experience and knowledge to a higher level.  It's a great fun way to spend a couple of days, whether you're a novice or accomplished cavalry buff.  Tuition and fees for training, meals, and bunkhouse/wall tent lodging: $350 to $700.  Horse, equipment, and uniform rental is additional.  The Staff Officer and Orderly Upgrade Package outlined above is also available.
 

 

School of the Trooper

A one-day session focusing on honing basic riding skills and cavalry drill techniques.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own horse, uniform, and equipment, but rentals are available on-site at a reasonable additional charge.  Lunch will be served.  Cost is $185.  "The object of this school is to make the troopers skillful in the management of their own horses and arms."  Philip St. George Cooke, Cavalry Tactics, vol. 1, Secretary of War, 1862.
 

 

Cavalry Orientation

Available in instructional blocks of from thirty minutes to four hours.  Observe on-going training at the U.S. Cavalry School if a group is in session.  Receive orientation briefings on Frontier Army life and cavalry operations.  Wear the uniform, ride a cavalry horse, and use the weapons of the day if you'd like.  Your orientation will be structured to fit your time and interests.  Fees will vary from $25 to $150.
 

 

Demonstrations and Presentations

Bring history alive for your club, civic group, school, or business.  Enriching and exciting living history demonstrations and presentations are available.  These range from short talks to full-blown battle re-enactments.  You let us know your needs.
 

 

Family Activities

For any family members not actively participating in another Cavalry School program, we offer an array of related activities to introduce them to our rich western heritage and frontier way of life.  Possibilities range from crafts and games to stories and historical presentations, as well as visits to some of the many historical sites in the area.  They to can experience life on a frontier cavalry post.  We will develop a specific program for you that best suits your families desires.
 

 


Typical headquarters' Training course schedule (Basic level). Custer's Last Ride Adventure on Little Bighorn is a modified training schedule of events, locations, training activities (call for questions).

Sunday:

Noon onwards

- Arrival
- Registration
- Uniform & Equipment Issue

1900 (7 PM)

- Welcome BBQ

Monday:

0800 (8 AM)

- Breakfast

0900

- Course Overview

0930

- History of the Cavalry

1000

- Uniform & Personal Equipment
Familiarization

1030

- Dismounted Drill

1130

- Lunch

1230

- Assignment of Horses

1300 (1 PM)

- Equine Confirmation & Saddling

1330

- Horsemanship

1430

- Native America

1530

- The United States after the Civil War

1700 (5 PM)

- Retreat

1800

- Supper

2100 (9 PM)

- Campfire

2200

- Tattoo

2300 (11 PM)

- Taps

Tuesday:

0630

- Reveille

0700

- Stable Call

0730

- Breakfast

0830

- Horsemanship

1030

- The Frontier Army

1130

- Lunch

1230

- Federal Indian Policy/Military Strategy

1330

- Cavalry Tactics

1430

- Firearms Training

1530

- Live Fire Exercise

1700

- Retreat

1800

- Supper

2100

- Campfire

2200

- Tattoo

2300

- Taps

Wednesday:

0630

- Reveille

0700

- Stable Call

0730

- Breakfast

0830

- Mounted Drill

1130

- Lunch

1230

- Campaign Preparation

1400

- March to Field Encampment

1530

- Orientation on Field Operations

1700

- Retreat

1800

- Supper

2100

- Campfire

2200

- Tattoo

2300

- Taps

Thursday:

0630

- Reveille

0700

- Stable Call

0730

- Breakfast

0830

- Practice Combat Operations

1000

- Battle Analysis

1130

- Lunch

1230

- Cavalry Patrol & Recovery

1700

- Retreat

1800

- Supper

2100

- Campfire

2200

- Tattoo

2300

- Taps

Friday:

0630

- Reveille

0700

- Stable Call

0730

- Breakfast

0830

- Defense of a Field Perimeter

0930

- Battle Analysis

1130

- Lunch

1230

- Cavalry Patrol & Return to Fort

1530

- After Action Review

1700

- Retreat

1800

- Supper

2100

- Campfire

2200

- Tattoo

2300

- Taps

Saturday:

0900

- Stable Call

1000

- Graduation Parade

1100

- Turn-in Uniforms & Equipment