CULVER — The command “eyes left” will be barked out by the squadron commander as Culver Academies’ Black Horse Troop and Equestriennes pass the new commander in chief during the presidential inaugural parade.
But instead of saluting President Barack Obama, Kord Golliher’s head will snap sharply to the left in unison with 99 other cadets as a collective gesture of respect.
That’s the moment Golliher, a sophomore, says he is looking forward to the most while he sits astride a black horse named Jet, trotting down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. He’s excited about the fact that he’ll “actually get to see Obama.”
“We won’t be able to salute because we’ll be carrying flags,” said the Peru native, the son of Janice Golliher Clemons and James Golliher, both of Miami County.
After attending North Miami High School in Denver his freshman year, this is Golliher’s first year at Culver. He received one of six distinguished merit scholarships awarded from the Batten Scholars Program.
According to the Culver Web site, the Batten scholarship is a full-tuition, merit scholarship that also includes room and board, required fees, uniforms, and books. The scholarship is renewable annually. Recipients must excel academically, as student leaders and in extracurricular activities.
Although Golliher had only ridden horses a couple of times in his life, he said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join the Black Horse Troop.
“I did it on a whim, to be honest,” he said. “It was like, ‘Where else could I learn to ride horses, travel and do all these great things?’”
Golliher talked it over with his mom, and they decided he shouldn’t pass up such a great opportunity
“He’s said, ‘Mom, I love this,’” said Clemons.
In addition to being a member of the troop, Golliher also takes horsemanship classes twice a week.
Although Golliher started out riding horses with names like Erma, Hershey and Paddington, he was soon doing well enough that his instructor gave him a mount that was “a little harder to ride but more picturesque,” said Golliher.
“It’s better than I expected it to be,” said Golliher, who explained that the troop is an honor guard at the academy, and its members are expected to have the cleanest rooms, get top grades and march at the highest level.
“I love the unit and the unit pride,” he said. “People look up to the troop.”
Fifteen and counting
This will be the 15th time the Black Horse Troop has been invited to participate in an inaugural parade, according to a news release from the Culver Academies. The troop’s first two appearances were in 1913 and 1917 at Woodrow Wilson’s two inaugurations.
Forty years passed before another invitation was extended, this time for Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second inauguration in 1957. This started a string of consecutive appearances at the inaugural parade through 1989. The troop marched again in 1997 at the second inauguration for Bill Clinton.
Culver’s Black Horse Troop made its first formal appearance in 1897, serving as honor guard for then Indiana Governor James Mount at the Grand Army of the Republic Encampment in Richmond.
The Culver Girls’ Academy Equestriennes first appeared at the second inauguration for Ronald Reagan in 1985.
Local News
Related Photos
-
EASY, BOY: Culver cadet Kord Golliher adjusts the doulbe bit in his mount’s mouth before a practice parade through the academies’ grounds and into town. Golliher is a member of Culver Academies’ Black Horse Troop and will be participating in the inaugural parade today. Photo for the P-T | Deb Saine
Discussion
Trotting with the troop
<b>Peru native and Culver cadet mounted for history</b>
- Local News
-
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.
-
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.
-
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.
-
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.
-
LHS senior prank
As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
-
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.
-
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”
-
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.
-
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.
-
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.
- More Local News Headlines
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
