Mary Hamilton Receives National Mounted Patrol Training Officer of the Year
Equestrian News Release

December 11, 2007 – Corcoran, Minnesota- Three Rivers Park District Police Officer Mary Hamilton receives National Mounted Patrol Training Officer of the Year

Officer Mary Hamilton of Three Rivers Police Department has been a mounted police officer for the past 20 years. Twelve years ago she created, organized and implemented the Midwest’s largest Police Mounted Horse Training program.

Each Fall Three Rivers Park District hosts its annual “Midwest Mounted Patrol Clinic” which draws mounted police officers from across the country. This highly skilled horse training program has taught over 1,000 men and women in Law Enforcement the many skills needed for the duties of mounted patrol officer.

Areas of mounted horse patrol training are; Urban Riding, Equation, Urban Tactical Mounted Response, Mounted Shooting and Sensory Training just to name a few. The program culminates with extremely technical obstacle course which officers compete for time and accuracy.

Officer Hamilton received the highest compliment by her peers this December. Mary received the National Mounted Patrol Training Officer of the Year - 2007. The award was presented to her at the American Riding Instructors Association national conference held during the 1st week of December in Naples, Florida.

Officer Hamilton said, “There’re many dedicated mounted police instructors throughout the country. This national award is truly deserved by all of them. I am so honored to have had the opportunity and privilege to instruct police officers, sheriff’s deputies and mounted posses. They truly have been my inspiration.” Mary continued with, “I must thank Three Rivers Park District and staff for making the Midwest Mounted Patrol Clinic possible. Training is the foundation to a safe and successful mounted patrol program.”

Additional information about Mary Hamilton can be obtained at her web site http://www.riderselite.com


PHOTO: Officer Mary Hamilton of Three Rivers Police Department
Article provided by REA, Inc.