All photos copyright 2016 Ramona Monteros
Spirit of the West Riders blends history and entertainment with authentic costumes and tack. The riders reflect the various ethnic backgrounds of the American West in the 1940s-1920s. The group was riding on behalf of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Spirit of the West Riders Marshal Phil Spangenberger (with beard) has been bringing his group to the Rose Parade for 23 years. At the far right is a typical Californio from the Mexican period in Calfornia.
Spirit of the West Riders presented cowgirls and a cowboy in show costumes from the 1880s-1920s, cowboys from various eras, a lawman and a fur trapper.
Spirit of the West Riders. A woman with a split riding skirt that did away with the sidesaddle and a US Cavalry trooper bring up the rear.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. The Wells Fargo riders and stagecoaches are always crowd pleasers. The costumes, including the cool trailduster coats, are from the 1800s. Marshal and coach driver George Lane owns the horses.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. The horses pulling the coaches are Quarter Horses and American Mustangs named Babe, Beauty, Chico, Dan, Darla, Misty, Moon, and Star. Drivers are known as “mule skinners.”
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. Riding the stagecoaches are participants of Warriors to Summits, a program of No Barriers USA, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide transformative expeditions for veterans with disabilities.
Wells Fargo Stagecoaches. Riding the stagecoaches are participants of Warriors to Summits, a program of No Barriers USA, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide transformative expeditions for veterans with disabilities.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club
horses and riders are dressed in historically accurate parade costumes of the northern plateau and plains region of more than 100 years ago. Marshal: Leslie Foxvog
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The breed, developed by the Nez Perce, reputedly got its name from the Palouse River—“a Palouse horse.”
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The rider appears to be dressed and painted for battle.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. Appaloosas are the only breed that has vertical stripes on the hooves. Appaloosa coats are as varied as the riders’ costumes.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. The costumes mix leather from game with European cloth and glass beads.
Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club “finds its adventure in following in the footsteps of the forefathers and creating new adventures today.
