Norwich Cavalry
Discover a different path to leadership through responsibility that sharpens both focus and judgment.
Each day in the Cavalry brings new lessons in patience and awareness. You learn to stay steady when things get difficult and gain confidence through consistency. The work shapes you into a leader defined by purpose and reliability.
On this page:
Why Join the Cavalry?
Build leadership through action, showing consistency and responsibility in the care, focus, and discipline the Cavalry Troop demands.
From the first day in the barn, progress comes through steady effort and attention to detail. Cadets learn to ride with patience, manage the barn, and provide hands-on care that keeps the horses healthy and ready to train, while maintaining the unit’s historic military vehicle with precision. Each task connects purpose with pride, and every student contributes to something larger than themselves.
Confidence builds steadily within the barn. Cadets learn to communicate through calm authority and respect, developing leadership skills rooted in trust and reliability. These lessons extend beyond this arena, shaping leaders who think critically, act decisively, and carry responsibility with pride in all aspects of life.
Benefits of Joining the Cavalry
Leadership through Responsibility
Learn how calm, consistent direction builds trust and respect within your team.
Gain practical skills in organization, problem-solving, and decision-making that translate into every area of life.
Lead through example, earning responsibility as you take on increasing duties as you progress.
Skill and Discipline
Learn the fundamentals of Western riding and progress through consistent, hands-on training.
Practice barn management, feeding, grooming, and basic equine care with patience and attention to detail.
Develop technical and mechanical skills by maintaining and driving the unit’s restored military Jeep, connecting tradition to modern-day cavalry.
Build the focus and discipline to balance academics, Corps responsibilities, and Cavalry duties with pride and precision.
History and Applied Learning
Understand the legacy of Norwich Cavalry through modern training in horsemanship and vehicle operations.
Learn how past Cavalry traditions inform today’s methods, from stable management to field readiness.
Study historic military strategies and apply their lessons in teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking.
Carry forward a legacy that shapes confident, capable leaders grounded in purpose.
About the Cavalry & How to Join
Cavalry members develop leadership through steady work, patience, and respect for tradition.
Every day in the barn teaches responsibility and strengthens confidence through consistency and care.
Cadets begin by learning how the barn operates. They ride under supervision, assist with daily routines, and gain awareness of how their actions affect the horses and their peers. As their experience grows, they take on more responsibility, helping to manage schedules, train horses, and support new members. The work develops focus and discipline that last long after the day’s tasks are complete.
The Cavalry also preserves Norwich’s history of mounted service while adapting it to the modern era. Cadets study and apply lessons from military strategy, learning how decision-making and teamwork shape outcomes.
Alongside their equine work, they maintain and operate a restored 1970s military Jeep, connecting the heritage of mounted command to today’s mechanical skill and field readiness.
Through it all, members uphold the discipline and pride that define Norwich Cavalry. Each cadet contributes to a legacy built on respect, unity, and purpose that continues to shape leaders year after year.
Life in the Cavalry Troop blends horsemanship, hands-on responsibility, and leadership development, offering cadets a distinctive way to grow, serve, and represent Norwich on and off campus.
Learning the Ropes
Riding and barn duties begin right away, creating an environment where growth stems from consistency and care. Working with horses builds patience and awareness, teaching cadets to stay calm and focused in every moment. Over time, you understand how much communication and confidence matter when guiding something that depends on you in return.
A Week with the Unit
The Cavalry depends on every member doing their part, so managing your time to balance academics with your duties within the unit is key. Daily barn duties include feeding and grooming the horses, maintaining stalls, and learning the basics of animal health and medicine. Riding lessons are open to all members, as are opportunities for exploring the mechanical side of cavalry through maintaining the Jeep. Throughout the academic year, you represent the unit in parades, reviews, and campus events that showcase your skill and dedication.
Progress and Leadership
Responsibility grows from experience as you progress from performing the basics to guiding and mentoring new members. You learn how to lead through calm direction and consistent follow-through, earning trust through reliability rather than rank. Barn operations, training schedules, and events are coordinated by student leadership. You’ll learn to delegate tasks while getting your hands dirty to join members in completing them.
Pride in the Work
Each day brings new challenges, but the effort is its own reward. The time you spend at the barn builds confidence, focus, and the satisfaction of seeing progress earned through hard work. You’ll leave knowing that your efforts matter to the unit, the horses, and to the Cavalry tradition you’re helping to continue.
Interested in becoming part of the cavalry?
Students can join at the start of each new academic year in the fall. Begin by filling out the Request for Info form, and a member of the cavalry staff will contact you to talk about your experience, interests, and next steps.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from students who want to join.
Who can join the Cavalry?
The Cavalry is open to all cadets in the Corps. No prior riding or animal-handling experience is required. You’ll learn everything from the basics of barn safety to advanced horsemanship through hands-on instruction and mentorship.
What will I learn in the Cavalry?
Cadets gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork, and time management while learning horsemanship, barn operations, and animal care. You’ll also develop mechanical skills by maintaining and operating the unit’s restored military Jeep.
Do I need my own horse or riding gear?
No. All horses and equipment are provided by the Cavalry program. Members learn how to care for the horses and use the equipment properly as part of their training.
What events does the Cavalry participate in?
The Cavalry takes part in campus traditions such as parades, reviews, and ceremonies throughout the year. Members also represent Norwich at community and alumni events that celebrate the University’s history and values. View the full list of Key Cavalry Performances by term.
When can I join?
New members are welcomed at the start of each academic year in the fall. Training begins together, so everyone learns the same fundamentals from day one.
Do I have to commit all four years?
No, but you’re welcome to. Students are encouraged to explore other ceremonial units and leadership roles during their time at Norwich. Some choose to balance multiple units, while others take on a new one each year.
Do I earn credit for participating?
Yes. Cavalry members earn one academic credit each semester for their participation and training. The credit reflects the time, effort, and learning that takes place both in the barn and in the classroom.
Where can I get more information?
Complete the Request for Info form to get in touch with a member of the cavalry staff.
New Barn & Cavalry Program
In Their Words
A New Era for Norwich Cavalry
Norwich’s Cavalry Troop blends historic tradition with hands-on horsemanship and leadership, where cadets learn to ride, care for horses, and grow as citizen-leaders at Cedar Ridge Farm under expert trainer Kim Bisson.
Key Cavalry Performances
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FTX, Arrival, Oath
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Parades, Ceremonies, and more
Northfield Labor Day Parade
- Review with Retreat
- Harmon Wall ceremony
- Alumni Parade
Corps and University Reviews
Parents Weekend
Saber Night
Gallery of Cavalry Members
Corps in Action:
Highlights from the Reveille
