William Harris, Polo and Membership Secretary 

Bill is a former officer of the 2nd Company, Governor's Horse Guard of Connecticut, formed in 1808 "to attend and escort the Governor in times of peace and war." During his mounted service no foreign power threatened the life of the governor of the state. At our dinners he uses his saber to open Champagne bottles the old fashioned way - or instructs others in this vital skill. If Golds gave out an equestrian endurance award his would win it. He takes part each February in the annual ride of Los Vaqueros - 386 miles over two weeks - starting at the Mexican border and ending in Houston. He claims convincingly that saddle sores, fun and are sense of achievement are guaranteed.

Hugh Schoelzel, Captain of Shooting

Hugh organizes our sporting clay shoots. He has never played polo, hunted foxes or raced horses and claims that if God meant man to traverse the countryside on horseback He would not have invented the airplane. A former USAF jet fighter pilot, he may have found even that too tame for his senses of adventure. In his retirement he volunteered to fly an original  version of the English Channel-spanning Bleriot monoplane at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's weekly air shows. Horrendously unstable in flight - requiring the physical bending of the wings to initiate turns - his proudest achievement may be living to tell about it.

We hold our annual nominating mess dinner on the first Friday in May, at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, the spiritual home of Gold's Dragoons since 1932. Dress is armed forces or Gold's mess dress, white or black tie, with miniatures, or - in acknowledgement of the Troop's roots in foxhunting – scarlet hunt evening wear. Members who are entitled to wear a clan kilt or trews may do so. Members attending in black tie are encouraged to wear Black Watch trews.

The dinner is governed by the mess rules reproduced on the mess rules and traditions page. Members are expected to be familiar with these rules and traditions, not only to respond in an appropriate manner to ensure a pleasant evening, but also to understand the reasons for the various traditions of the mess.

The dinner speaker is the only official guest of the mess and is offered, by tradition, the courtesy of the Chatham House Rule. We can continue to attract the high caliber of our speakers only if all members respect the principle that "what happens at Gold's stays at Gold's" and that our speakers believe that they can speak freely and without attribution. 

Members are encouraged to nominate suitable candidates for admittance to the Troop, by introducing them as their personal guests at the next nominating dinner. While prior military service is not a requirement, members should be guided in the eligibility of any such candidates by the individual's respect for the ethos of military service in either the United States or British Commonwealth, or NATO forces. Members should have known their proposed guests at least three years, unless the guest is a member of Squadron A in good standing, in which case a shorter period is possible. Anyone in doubt should contact a member of the Board of Directors prior to nominating any guest with details of military service, if any, years known, and reasons for the recommendation. Looking ahead, we are close to capacity at our dinners and may have to go to a waiting list for guests in the future to ensure that current members continue to enjoy the privileges of membership.

After their induction, new members may request to receive their parchment commissions executed in the 17th-Century style of our founding in 1660 and are probationary members for the first two years.

Officers of the Troop are as follows:

Troop Captain and Chairman of the Board of Directors

John Conlin, late 6^th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles, President of the Mess

Troop Lieutenants and Members of the Board of Directors:

William Harris, late 2 GHG, Membership Secretary, Polo Secretary (POLSEC)

Richard Terbrusch, late 2 GHG, Honorary Treasurer and Captain of the Gold's Polo Team

Hugh Schoelzel, USAF, retired, Captain of Shooting

Other offices:

Father of the Regiment: Piper Gordon Wheeler

Troop Chaplain: Mr. Andrew Adlai Luckey

Provost Marshal: Gen. Ed Kelly, USA, retired

Pipe Major: Col. Owen Mcdonnell, USMC, retired

Duty Piper: Mr. Terence McGovern

Master of Horse: CDR. David C. Loda, USNR, retired

Troop Historian: LT (jg) Ryan Weddle, USN

British Officers' Club of Philadelphia liaison officer: LCDR William A Bizjak, USNR, ret.

Princeton Officers' Society liaison officer: Phillip McIndoo

Squadron A  liaison officer: Michael Witter

VCA liaison officer: Lt. Col Allen Milman

Victorian Military Society liaison officer: Comd. Tyler Field, USN, retired

Message from the Father of the Regiment:

By tradition the oldest member of a military unit is titled "The Father of the Regiment". In the case of Gold's Dragoons it is Piper Gordon Wheeler, who was 100 years old on June 18th, 2017. 

Gordon was presented with the Gold's collar dog and his commission, back dated thirty five years, and saluted at the 2017 Nominating Dinner but was, sadly, unable to attend.

On the 5th of July he writes:

"Dear John:

The honors bestowed on me by "The Troop" are mind boggling. To be toasted by an august group,  the members of Gold's Dragoons, makes the past 100 years worthwhile. Thank you for the (...Gold's collar dog). I will cherish it.

Gordon Wheeler"