Since the Tournament of Roses Parade began 125 years ago, horses have been part of the Rose Parade, with equines pulling flower decorated carriages on New Year’s Day. 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 add to the appeal year after year.
Vin Scully - Rose Parade Grand Marshall 2014
Equestrian units are an integral part of the Rose Parade each year, as a wide variety of breeds and skilled riders in eye-catching costumes with hand-crafted tack add to the appeal.
© 2014 by Floatjon
Members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club first staged the parade in 1890. Since then the parade has been held in Pasadena every New Year's Day, except when January 1 falls on a Sunday. In that case, it is held on the subsequent Monday, January 2.
This exception was instituted in 1893. Local tradition has it that "the Tournament has a deal with God; we'll never hold the parade on a Sunday, and He'll never let it rain on the Rose Parade."
However, according to the Tournament of Roses Association Web site, this "Never on Sunday" policy was instituted in order "to avoid frightening horses tethered outside local churches and thus interfering with worship services."
This year's Grand Marshall for the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade is Vin Scully, noted sports announcer who is well known by an international audience.
Aspiring participants must apply to be considered for the parade each year. Many of the equestrian groups participate as an annual tradition. Parade organizers work to attract the most spectator-friendly parade entries while giving spectators the chance to view a variety of different types of horses.
The 2014 Tournament of Roses Equestrians
- All American Cowgirl Chicks
- Budweiser Clydesdales
- Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club
- Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team
- Los Angeles Police Metropolitan Division Mounted Platoon/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Detail
- The Martinez Family
- Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
- The New Buffalo Soldiers
- The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team
- Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry
- Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds
- Spirit of the West Riders
- United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard
- Valley Hunt Club
- War Horse Foundation
- Wells Fargo