The Tournament of Roses Association’s Equestfest on Wednesday is a great opportunity for horse lovers to see the Rose Parade equestrian units perform up close and even walk through stables to meet the equestrian units and horses, take pictures, and ask questions.
This pre-parade tradition will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.
The open-to-the-public event serves as a practice run for the equine units and allows each unit to show off its top routines.
The event will also feature musical performances, in addition to a food and vendor court.
Horses are as important to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses as are the men and women who have worked individually and as organizations to keep the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game tradition going strong through the decades.
First staged in 1890 by Pasadena’s own Valley Hunt Club, the Rose Parade has always had horses running or striding the five-and-a-half-mile route with their riders and carriages.
Generations of the Budweiser Clydesdales have been with the parade since their first appearance in 1953, and many other teams – such as Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club, Altadena’s Los Hermanos Bañuelos, and the Arabian Horse Association in Sierra Madre – are also making repeat appearances.
Other teams include the Castaic-based Blue Shadows Mounted Drill team, the Pa’u Riders of Waimanalo, Hawaii whose female riders are in colorful formal dresses; the Merced County Sheriff Posse, and the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society of Alpine, who come also dressed in colorful Victorian era costumes.
The New Buffalo Soldiers, from Shadow Hills, who have been participating in the Rose Parade for 27 years, is back this year with the mission to educate the public about the black military service experience, starting from the years following the Civil War when the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment – composed mostly of African American soldiers – was activated.
This year, 18 equestrian teams are taking part in the parade, the Tournament of Roses Association said.
Tickets to Equestfest are $20 General Admission, and $45 VIP Admission.
To buy your tickets, visit https://tickets.sharpseating.
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is located at 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank.
