All American Donkey and Mule Riders (#63)The All American Donkey and Mule Riders demonstrate the versatility of the modern donkey and mule. A mule is the result of breeding a male jack donkey to a female horse. They are known for their surefootedness, stamina and strength. Mules have been part of U.S. history for 210 years. King Charles III of Spain gave George Washington a jack named Royal Gift. Since then mules have furnished power in front of the farmer's plow, provided military transportation in war and packed goods for the public.
The group consists of parade and show champion animals and 14 riders. The oldest rider is a crowd favorite at 95 years young. Riders come from as far away as Montana, South Carolina, North Carolina and California. They ride in a variety of parade costumes such as fancy Western, working Western, hunt seat attire, dressage, hand-embroidered silver-mounted parade costumes and formal English hack. This is the group's 16th Rose Parade appearance.
Marshal: Janet C. Luke
Banuelos Charro Team (#42)
The Banuelos Charro Team began in 1995 when it joined the Association of Charros in Southern California. The team participates in competitions around Southern California and has performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, East LA Parade and Route 66 Parade. They have also volunteered with LA County Parks and Recreation and were part of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
When they're not competing, they like to give back to the community and take their horses to elementary schools and nonprofit organizations that care for children. The children really enjoy the performance and get a chance to ride a horse and have their pictures taken on the horses. The mission of the team is to promote the Mexican Charreria, a festive event that incorporates equestrian competitions, and to educate children on the foundation of respect for themselves, their elders and animals.
Marshal: Ramon Banuelos
Broken Horn Ropers (#36)
Riding nine paint, sorrel and pinto quarterhorses, the Broken Horn Ropers are a culturally diverse, multigenerational team. Marshal Felix Lopez is recognized as one of the greatest trick ropers, having won world titles in trick roping in the U.S. and Mexico. Lopez and his team members perform fancy rope tricks such as the Flat Loop, the Umbrella, the Texas Skip and the Lighting Bolt.
Together for seven years, the team has won many first-place awards for Novelty Mounted Equestrian Team. The ropers wear black western shirts embroidered with red and white roses and crystal rhinestones, black cowboy hats, and black belts with handmade, custom silver buckles designed for this parade. Their Western pleasure show saddles were handmade and hand-tooled with delicately placed saddle silver. Coordinated head stalls, reigns, bits and spurs used by the riders are sterling silver.
Marshal: Felix A. Lopez
Cal Poly Pomona Equestrian (#67)
In 1949, breakfast cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg deeded his Pomona Arabian Horse Ranch to the State of California for the expansion campus of a university known today as Cal Poly Pomona. The gift came with the stipulation that the world-renowned W.K. Kellogg Arabian breeding program be maintained and that the traditional Sunday horse shows continue. For more than 80 years, the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona has been breeding, training and publicly showing Arabian horses—making it one of the oldest Arabian breeding farms in the United States.
Marshal Bill Hughes is the Director of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona. He is the immediate past President of the Arabian Horse Association and the Vice President of the United State Equestrian Federation. The first Kellogg Arabian marched in the 1928 Rose Parade.
Marshal: Bill Hughes
California Elite Petite (#84)
The Miniature Horse is a unique breed. These strong and intelligent horses worked in the gold mines of South America. They were brought to the United States in the 1800s and worked in the Appalachian coal mines until 1950. The 14 Miniature Horses in this team are all less than 34 inches high.
The California Elite Petite is a unique group of driven Miniature Horses that pull antique and vintage coaches, wagons and carriages. Art Ricketts and Jim Rapp built the miniature stagecoach from the original 1800s Wells Fargo coach plans with authentic colors and gold leaf detail. The costumes are made from vintage design patterns. The group has performed in parades and exhibitions for five years. They also participate in animal-assisted therapy and special education for children. They love every minute of performing and do it for the big rewards: the smiles.
Marshal: Dawn Wright
