Some individual U.S. states maintain cavalry units as a part of their respective state defense forces . The Maryland Defense Force includes a cavalry unit , Cavalry Troop A , which serves primarily as a ceremonial unit . The unit training includes a saber qualification course based upon the 1926 U.S. Army course . Cavalry Troop A also assists other Maryland agencies as a rural search and rescue asset . In Massachusetts , The National Lancers trace their lineage to a volunteer cavalry militia unit established in 1836 and are currently organized as an official part of the Massachusetts Organized Militia . The National Lancers maintain three units , Troops A , B , and C , which serve in a ceremonial role and assist in search and rescue missions . In July 2004 , the National Lancers were ordered into active state service to guard Camp Curtis Guild during the 2004 Democratic National Convention . The Governor 's Horse Guard of Connecticut maintains two companies which are trained in urban crowd control
2004 Democratic National Convention
2004 Democratic National Convention
Cavalry