From the beginning, horses and equestrian groups have been mainstays in the Pasadena Rose Parade that celebrates its 127th anniversary this year as it covers 5 1/2 miles down Colorado Boulevard on New Year's Day.
Clydesdale horses ready to join parade
Horses and equestrian units are integral part of the 127th Pasadena Rose Parade highlighting a wide variety of breeds including Andalusians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and Saddlebreds with skilled riders, eye-catching costumes and hand-crafted tack.
© 2015 by Budweiser
With the National Park Service turning 100 years old in 2016, the Park service with its many working horses is featured in this celebration-themed âFind Your Adventureâ as an extra special treat.
Find Your Adventure is a theme that has grown out of a unique partnership between the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the U.S. National Park Service. The 2016 Rose Parade will help shine light on the centennial celebration of our nationâs national parks.
Both the Tournament of Roses and the National Park Service aim to preserve history, connect people through real-life experiences and engage the public in new adventures.
The Pasadena event began as a promotional effort by the city's Valley Hunt Club. In the winter of 1890, when the club members brainstormed ways to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." They invited their East Coast neighbors to a mid-winter holiday, where they could watch games such as chariot races, jousting, foot races, polo and tug-of-war under the warm California sun.
The abundance of fresh flowers in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade would precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms. The Tournament of Roses was born.
Since the very beginning, horses have been part of the Rose Parade, with equines pulling flower decorated carriages on New Yearâs Day 1890.
With the advent of motorized vehicles in the parade, equestrian units have remained an integral component each year, highlighting a wide variety of breeds including graceful Andalusians, striking Percherons, and elegant Saddlebreds. Skilled riders, eye-catching costumes and hand-crafted tack have add to the appeal year after year.
Here are the 19 equestrian groups featured in this year's Rose Parade âFind Your Adventure:â
- 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment â Fort Hood
- American Endurance Ride Conference
- Anheuser Busch Budweiser Clydesdales
- Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club
- Dakota Thunder Shires
- Long Beach Mounted Police
- Los Angeles County Sheriffâs Department
- Los Hermanos Bañuelos
- Martinez Family
- Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
- National Park Service
- The New Buffalo Soldiers
- The Norco Cowgirls and The Little Miss Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team
- Scripps Miramar Ranch
- Spirit of the West Riders
- U.S. Army Field Artillery Half Section â Fort Sill
- U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard
- Valley Hunt Club
- Wells Fargo