2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Ramona – California’s Official Outdoor Play. “The Ramona Pageant” is the longest-running outdoor play in the United States. It’s based on Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel, which was written to call attention to the treatment of Native Americans.
By Laura Berthold Monteros
The horse was integral to the American West, whether by the Spanish colonists, the indigenous people of the plains, or in the expansion of the United States. Equestrian units in the 129th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2018, reflected this history with authentic garb and tack. The gallery below has photos of the historical equestrian groups that rode along Colorado Blvd. Also be sure to take a look at “Healing, helping, and glamour in 2018 Rose Parade equestrian units.” Marine Corps photos are here and Los Angeles Police Department are here.
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. (Hemet, Calif.)
By Laura Berthold Monteros
Riders decked out in glitzy costumes on horses with silver-studded tack are a standing order in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The 129th Rose Parade, held on Jan. 1, 2018, added therapy horses and law enforcement units in uniform to the mix. The gallery below has photos of khaki-and-olive drab mounted officers, angelic miniature horses, and shiny rhinestone cowboys and cowgirls. For authenic costuming, check out “The American West on horseback in the 2018 Rose Parade.” Marine Corps photos are here and Los Angeles Police Department are here.
Equestrian units pictured in the gallery
So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. (Hemet, Calif.)
Mini Therapy Horses (Calabasas, Calif.)
The Norco Cowgirls & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Teams (Norco, Calif.)
Scripps Miramar Ranch (San Diego, Calif.)
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Enforcement Detail (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Mane Attraction Equestrian Drill Team (Riverside, Calif.)
California Highway Patrol Mounted Patrol Unit (Sacramento, Calif.)
Broken Horn Ropers (Baldwin Park, Calif.)
The Valley Center Vaqueros (Valley Center, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. & Mini Therapy Horses
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. (Hemet, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. (Hemet, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, Inc. & Mini Therapy Horses
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Mini Therapy Horses (Calabasas, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: The Norco Cowgirls & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Teams (Norco, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: The Norco Cowgirls & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Teams (Norco, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Scripps Miramar Ranch (San Diego, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Scripps Miramar Ranch (San Diego, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Mounted Enforcement Detail (Los Angeles, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Sheriff Jim McDonnell & Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Mounted Enforcement Detail
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Mane Attraction Equestrian Drill Team (Riverside, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Mane Attraction Equestrian Drill Team (Riverside, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: California Highway Patrol Mounted Patrol Unit (Sacramento, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: California Highway Patrol Mounted Patrol Unit (Sacramento, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Broken Horn Ropers & The Valley Center Vaqueros
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Broken Horn Ropers (Baldwin Park, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Broken Horn Ropers (Baldwin Park, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Broken Horn Ropers (Baldwin Park, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Broken Horn Ropers (Baldwin Park, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: The Valley Center Vaqueros (Valley Center, Calif.)
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Tournament of Roses volunteer pooper scoopers
2018 Tournament of Roses Parade: Tournament of Roses volunteer pooper scoopers
Where there are equestrians, there are pooper scoopers. There are dedicated Tournament of Roses volunteers all along the Rose Parade route who clean up after the horses, so the bands and outwalkers don’t have to tread in the muck.
I have wanted to share all the wonderful photos taken of the Rose Parade equestrians by my daughter and photographer, but it’s been such a busy year that I haven’t been able to write them up with all the details of breed and tack. I’m taking a shortcut and posting photo albums of the equestrian units that have not already been covered separately. Enjoy clicking through the galleries! For articles on other units, check out the our 2017 Rose Parade main page.
All photos are copyright Ramona Monteros
Out West
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, Back Country Horsemen of California, Norco Cowgirls and Little Miss Norco Cowgirls, Valley Hunt Club, Los Hermanos Bañuelos, Union Rescue Mission, Budweiser Clydesdales, Sprit of the West Riders
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, Los Angeles, Calif.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, Los Angeles, Calif.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, Los Angeles, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Backcountry Horsemen of Calif., Mid-Valley Unit, Sonora, Calif.
Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
Union Rescue Mission - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif.
Union Rescue Mission - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif.
Budweiser Clydesdales, St. Louis, Mo.
Budweiser Clydesdales, St. Louis, Mo.
Spirit of the West Riders, Leona Valley, Calif.
Spirit of the West Riders, Leona Valley, Calif.
Spirit of the West Riders, Leona Valley, Calif.
The Norco Cowgirls & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team, Norco, Calif.
The Norco Cowgirls & The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team, Norco, Calif.
Valley Hunt Club, Pasadena, Calif.
Valley Hunt Club, Pasadena, Calif.
Serving Others
Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds, Victorian Ladies Riding Society, Mane Attraction Equestrian Drill Team, 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses, California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, New Buffalo Soldiers
Whether current or historic, several of these equestrian units honor those in uniform. Others ride for charity. The Mane Attraction has donated more than $3,000 to charities, primarily NDR Therapeutic Riding facility that teaches children and adults with disabilities. Seven Oaks Farm has several programs that benefit seniors in assisted living and Alzheimer’s facilities, foster communication between police and community members, greet travelers at the airport, interact with children in reading and anti-bullying programs, and visit Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati.
Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds, San Diego, Calif.
Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds, San Diego, Calif.
Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society, San Diego, Calif.
Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society, San Diego, Calif.
1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, Fort Hood, Kileen, Texas
1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, Fort Hood, Kileen, Texas
1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, Fort Hood, Kileen, Texas
Medieval Times at 2016 Rose Parade. Copyright Ramona Monteros.
The 20 equestrian groups that will participate in the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 2, 2017 were announced today. There are some old favorites, some newcomers, and some returning groups. Missing after 68 years of riding down Colorado Blvd. is the Long Beach Mounted Police, but the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society, which last rode in the 2015 Rose Parade, is back. The eight new groups in the list are marked with a ♦.
Equestrians are chosen to showcase different breeds, costumes, and tack as well as for their ability to entertain the crowds along the parade route. All riders must have previous parade experience. The units are invited to participate in Equestfest presented by Wells Fargo on Dec. 29, 2015 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Equestfest is an opportunity for groups to show off their riding, roping and shooting skills. The stables are open for visitors. Sharp Seating has tickets available on their website.Continue reading “2017 Rose Parade equestrian line up announced”→
