Programs

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

Staff Ride of Little Bighorn/Custer's Last Ride and Rosebud battlefields (Military or Civilian)
"Custer's Last Ride" Adventure & Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Training Encampment courses with the Little Bighorn Battle Reenactment
Mobile Training Team
Military & Civilian Packing & Animal Handling Training
Basic Cavalry Encampment
Advanced Cavalry Encampment
Weekend Workshop
School of the Trooper
Cavalry Orientation
Demonstrations & Presentations
Family Activities

The Staff Ride

A replication of the historic U.S. Army Staff Ride technique for the on-site study and analysis of significant battles. The highlight of this program is a field study of one of several battlefields that are important to a fuller understanding of cavalry operations. The Staff Ride is cited by the U.S. Army as "one of the most powerful techniques of instruction available for the education of professional soldiers." This same program is presented by the U.S. Cavalry School. Each Staff Ride is carefully planned to insure the most meaningful education experience possible. The format of instruction normally involves three phases: preliminary study, field study, and retrospection. Whether you are an Active Duty Military, Government, or a civilian group the lessons of leadership, establishing/following a relevant strategy, teamwork, communication, the history, and logistics are unequally taught in the Staff Ride teaching method; as well as being a superb teambuilding event for your group. Each Staff Ride is uniquely structured and fees vary.

US Cavalry School's Custer's Last Ride Adventure (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses) Course at the Little Bighorn Battle Reenactment - Crow Agency, Montana - 19-27 June 2021

This is the West's Best Horse Adventure!! This is not a field trip nor a nose to tail trail ride; but a complete training in the history of the times and study of military life on the Frontier, Custer's Last Stand, and review of Native American Culture. We have been teaching Staff Rides of the Little Bighorn to the US Military for over 15 years; as well as Cavalry history, tactics, packing and horsemanship. Open to males and Females 18 and over (16 with parental supervision). Ride with the Best!

Includes the following:

Professional Training by Military & Little Bighorn Subject Matter Experts
Professional Horsemanship & Cavalry Training by Outfitters, Movie Horseman, National Champions, Trainers
Amazing Campfire/ Dutch Oven Cooking, Frontier meals that will please everyone
Mounted Weapons training for Sabers and Pistols
Fire Live Weapons of the Period; .45 Colt and 45-55/70 Springfield Carbine Firearms Training on the Range
Authentic Cavalry Encampment next to Little Bighorn River (where the Sioux Tribe was camped)
History Lessons and Training on US Cavalry (what was life like for the trooper in the Army)
Military Tactics and Patrol Training, Exercises, and Small Group Missions (Fun and Exciting Rides)
Military Staff Ride (same course we teach the Active Military) of Little Bighorn
Retrace/Race Custer's trail
Ride with Custer for 3 Days at the Real Bird's Little Bighorn Reenactment
Ride in Crow Agency's Native Parade with the 7th U.S. Cavalry on Friday of Reenactment
Cultural and History class by Native American tribe elder
Reviews of Crow's Nest and Rosebud Battle
Full Days of Training, Camaraderie, and fun; Campfires and entertainment
Cavalry Drill and Patrol Training
Transportation to and from Billings airport, Museums, Parades, and town
Discounts for military veterans, groups and returnees
Training for your personal Horse
Reasonable Rentals of Trained horses and correct Military Clothing, Tack, and Firearms

What you will NOT need (as we provide Lodging, All Meals, and Transportation to/from Billings):

Lodging-Hotel Rental for 8 nights can cost @ $1,120.
Transportation-Rental Car and gas for 8 days @ $360.
That's a Total Savings of $1,480 just in Lodging and transportation costs.

~ Bring your horse, .45 Pistol, Uniform/Clothing, and Military Tack or rent ours.

Still once in a lifetime opportunity! The Novice, Intermediate and Advanced courses will be run concurrently and students are invited to participate in the Battle of Little Bighorn Reenactment. This is not a show and tell class of history; this is more than dude ranch vacation or adventure - it is a hands-on training, where you will not only visit and learn at the historical sights, but we train you to become Cavalry trooper. LEARN FROM THE BEST - with instructors that have been Cavalry trainers in and for U.S. Military Horse Mounted Units, National Cavalry Competition event champions, and Military Battlefield Staff Ride lecturers/instructors that have taught the many different units of the US Military on the Little Bighorn, Rosebud, and other U.S. Battles. Now Eight days of excitement, living the life of an Army horse soldier on the American Frontier.

Are you a history buff, love the cavalry/military, want the best horse vacation trip in the west, to improve your horsemanship, want to be in a film, or want to be a re-enactor?
If so, you need to be here! Most all classes within our courses are adaptable for non-riders. Even if you can not or choose not to ride a horse - this couse is still for you, this is the horse/history/western adventure of a Lifetime!

Includes all of the regular Cavalry Encampment courses and trainings listed below. Ride the ground that the Cavalry covered the last 2 hours of Major General (Brevet) George Armstrong Custer's life and the Seventh Cavalry troopers that rode into the history books with him. Medicine Tail Coulee, Cedar Coulee, and Weir Point are among the historic locations we will visit. The encampment runs from Sun to Sunday and starts with orientation on Sunday morning night (Saturday evening arrivals are prefered), with training starting the next morning, and completion after the battle on Sunday closest to 25th of June. Successful students are invited to participate in the Real Bird's Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment, held at 1 pm on the Fri, Sat, and Sun closest to 25th of June with authentic Indian Braves. There is a part in the reenactment for most levels of horsemanship or for some dismounted troopers. This special course is being hosted by the U.S. Cavalry School for the seventh consecutive year at the Real Bird Family Ranch, located 2 miles south of Crow Agency, Mt and 2 miles north of Garryowen. This sacred land, where a portion of the battle was fought, joins and is intermingled within Little Bighorn Battlefield Park and only an hour south of Billings, Mt.

This amazing 8 plus day has even more riding, firearms training, shooting competition, history/cavalry lessons, cavalry camp entertainment, camaraderie, and fun. The package includes your tuition, US Cavalry military horsemanship training (such as the differences with Western horsemanship), training fees, access fees, shuttle service to and from Billings Airport, excellent Cavalry Camp meals, and authentic field encampment equipment, blank ammo for reenactment, live ammo for 45 Colt and carbine Live Fire range training, staff rides (similar to the ones we teach to the US Military), history lessons from Native American elder, and much more. Awe-inspiring Battlefield tours and educational "Staff Rides" (in the training manner of the U.S. Army) by Indian and U.S. Military Scholars are also included.

Packages start at $1,875. Horse, Firearms, Uniform, and Tack rentals are available to students not providing their own. Our students have said, "This is the Best Horse Vacation I have ever taken, and I have been to South America and France on horse riding trips" - "This course exceeded my expectations and was a dream come true, definitely once in a lifetime opportunity to relive the past" "Worth every penny and more". Most of our students have came back to attend again, and they have been amazed at the expanded training during the week and our extra day. Call us for additional information. Call and reserve your seat as soon as possible, training seats are limited in number!!

Little Bighorn Adventure and Basic Cavalry Encampment, tentative

Four to Six days of excitement, living the life of an Army horse soldier on the American Frontier. This course is held at Crow Agency/Garryowen, MT, unless otherwise stated. Begin your unforgettable experience learning in a garrison frontier environment and bedding down in a replica army 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. Experince amazing Staff Ride instruction and experience of the Little Bighorn; the same we teach the Active Duty military. You will also learn to use the weapons employed by 19^th century frontier cavalrymen.

Then, after honing your horse and soldier skills, ride out for three-days of campaigning on the Little Bighorn and living in authentic period tents on the banks of the Little Bighorn River 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 ride back to the fort to 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: $1100-1800. Cost 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.

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.

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.

Military & Civilian Packing & Animal Handling Training

This course will cover the basic and advanced techniques of packing a Supply/Pack Animal (Mule, Horse, or Donkey), our lead instructor has been a professional outfitter has over 25 years experience in managing pack trips and animals; as well as performing clinics in the Northwest. He is highly regarded and sought after for teaching and conducting pack trips in the rugged Cascade Mountain Range of northcentral Washington. He specializes in packing odd shaped and difficult loads; to include heavy communication equipment with 20 ft antennas in difficult terrain.

You will learn correct ways to assemble a load, pack, and handle a pack animal - and much more. As well as the differences of modern packing and U.S. Army / Cavalry tactics of the past. Hint- the U.S. Cavalry did not use Pack strings as we do today. This course can be modified to meet your specific needs and schedule, it is a must for those wanting to do some back country packing, military historians, Cavalry troopers, and Military members that may serve in difficult terrain regions that require the transportation of equipment, supplies, or individuals by pack animals. Call for details and Dates.

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 accommodations: Call for prices and availiability. 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. Call for prices and availiability. "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. Call for prices and availiability.

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 may be able to 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. dependent on current year's course plans, We may be able to develop a specific program for you that best suits your families desires.

Typical headquarters' Training course schedule (Basic level). This is NOT a Little Bighorn/CUSTER Adventure schedule, which is focused on Indian Wars history and training.

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		- Tatoo
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