Do you remember when you were young and wanted a horse?? Depending upon your age some might have received a real horse, but others of us would have received the substitute…. a stick horse. Envious of our friends who got the real thing, our stick horses were okay for a while at Christmas or a birthday, but many times they were handed down to a younger sibling, and ultimately forgotten. Our parents even dismantled them and took the stick and repurposed it for something else. Thanks to a group of friends who felt there was a bigger and better purpose for the lowly stick horse, we are seeing their revival in Bosque County.
The Stick Horse Riding Club was organized by a group of like-minded, ageless, cowgirls and cowboys who share their love of riding stick horses, entertaining, and all things PARADE! The goal was to encourage, entertain, and increase attendance in area parades and celebrations. You may have seen them at their very first parade appearance for Cranfills Gap Fallfestival in 2021, or recently at the “Ride the Red Carpet’ at the Bosque County Film Festival featuring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns.
Anyone interested in the Stick Horse Riding Club can participate. The first rule of stick horse riding is you are responsible for obtaining your own stick horse. These can be found at Wranglers Gas Station, Dollar stores, Antique Mall and other locations or there are patterns available online for “building” your own. Just remember brooms are not allowed. The only real qualification for participation is your ability to ride a mile long parade route and own and decorate your own stick horse. These special horses include different types of riders, everything from bareback to English and western saddle on horses of quarter, Arabian, or Appaloosa “breeding.” Organizers request no llamas please. Decorations depend upon the rider’s creativity and interests and may include diamonds, bows, ribbons, streamers and more.
Stick horses are known by the names of Spirit Keeper, a mustang medicine pony; Triggerz, an iconic TV and movie star; and Doc, a retired tap dancer, and Amerika, a homemade stick horse carrying the flag. Other horses are named Rex, Pinkie, Biscuit, Monkee, SeeMore, Doc, Skippy, Grace, and Blaze. Some of the routines these riders perform are the Tandem March, Figure 8 and Texas Star also known as the Wagon Wheel.
Professional Stick Horse riders do ride at their own risk. During their first performance one horse and rider went down after two horses tangled during a precision maneuver. Fortunately, no riders or horses were severely injured during this incident.
This stable of horses currently stands at 10 to 12 parade performers and their riders. Along with the riders, their Banner precedes the riders, carried by girls or boys of all ages.
Following the riders are the Ole Mares uber which carries cowgirls without horses. The Ole Mare group assists with safety in case of injuries and the ever popular candy throwing to local parade attendees.
Anyone can take part in the troupe. This group was organized to have fun, stay strong and in shape as well as offer a lot of laughter and smiles. The major part here is fun and fellowship. The group practices on Wednesdays at 4:30 in the afternoon at the Gap Chamber although most practices come about 15 minutes before any of their appearances.
Besides the enjoyment supplied to those who observe this group, they do have larger plans for the future. They hope to receive invitations for Homecoming, Christmas and other holiday parades as well as appropriate special events. Their ultimate goal is an invitation to the Rose Parade or any other nationally televised parade or event.
This group is all about our youth and the parade entries of yesteryear: beauty queens, the lawnmower steppers, mini-bike brigades, giant tractors, cotton harvesters or maybe even a current day Viking ship. Anything worth celebrating is worth a parade and the one thing the Stick Horse Riding Club does is reminds us of the fun and enjoyment of attending a parade.
Be sure and look for the Bosque County Stick Riding Club at events and parades throughout Bosque County.
Remember, anyone wanting to have fun and laugh are welcome to become a member. Email Kathy Kash at [email protected] to be a part of the Bosque County Stick Riding Club.
