Rose Parade 2007 Equestrian Units

The All American Donkey and Mule Riders demonstrate the versatility of the modern donkey and mule. The group consists of parade and show champion animals and 14 riders. The oldest rider is a crowd favorite at 96 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 tack. This is the group's 18th Rose Parade appearance.

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.

Andalusians of the Spanish Fiesta (#61)
Marshals: Joanne Asman and Amanda Latta Shields

This group has ridden together both individually and as a group for 10 years, and many of the group have ridden the Tournament of Roses Parade several times. Their costumes represent traditional, colorful Spanish Feria dresses with big ruffles, and others wear bolero jackets and vaquero slacks. One of the horses, Tuno IV, is in the September issue of Vogue Magazine and on Estee Lauder counters. One of the riders is Leslie Charleson, who plays Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital.

The Pure Spanish Horse, though bred in Spain from the earliest millennia BC, was formally unified as a breed in the sixteenth century by the Spanish King Felipe II. Andalusians are recognized as strong, athletic, beautiful, noble in appearance and character, and easily trained and ridden. They are adept at all the disciplines: dressage, hunt, seat, saddle seat, Western pleasure, parades, trail and open jumping.

Banuelos Charro Team (#34)
Marshal: Ramon Banuelos

The Banuelos Charro Team has 13 members from southern California, riding American quarterhorses. The 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 L.A. Parade and Route 66 Parade. They have also volunteered with L.A. 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.

Broken Horn Ropers (#77)
Marshal: Felix A. Lopez

Riding eight paint, palomino and 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.

The ropers wear Western attire, Stetson hats, hand-crafted leather belts and handmade, custom silver buckles designed for this parade. Their Western pleasure show saddles are handmade and hand-tooled with delicately placed saddle silver. Coordinated head stalls, reigns, bits and spurs used by the riders are sterling silver.

City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (#59)
Marshal: Dana Valdez

The Wonderful Outdoor World (WOW) program was created in 1995 to introduce outdoor recreation and environmental education to inner-city Los Angeles youth. These urban kids get the opportunity to camp and have fun learning about the outdoors. Eight of the youth riders are WOW campers from inner city areas who participated in WOW. These riders were selected based on their knowledge of outdoor recreation and ecology, along with their riding skills.

Adult and youth riders are attired in Western wear, including jackets with the embroidered WOW logo. A mounted City of Los Angeles park ranger accompanies the unit. The horses have flowers on the back of their saddles, and two front horses wear additional flowers on the breast collar. Mules carry saddle boxes decorated with camping equipment. All horses and mules are covered with a riding blanket depicting scenes of Los Angeles and its trail to the great outdoors.

Classic Curly Riders (#95)
Marshal: Jim Washington

The nine horses in this group are registered, rare and unique American Bashkir Curly Horses with trademark curly coats. They have kinky manes and tails, some with Jamaican style dreadlocks. Curlies are colorful and can be found with palomino, buckskin, appaloosa and pinto markings. Curly horses are known for their calm and extremely gentle dispositions. They are used in all types of equestrian events, such as Western and pleasure riding, reining, gymkana, hunter jumper, roping, English equitation, dressage, gaited pleasure and driving.

Discovered over 100 years ago in Nevada, the horse's origins remain a mystery. The American Bashkir Curly Registry was founded in 1971 in Ely, Nev., with the purpose of preserving, propagating and promoting Curly horses. There are approximately 2,500 Curly horses in the world today. The American Bashkir Curly Horses have participated in the Rose Parade since 1985.