Parade America.

 In Eh Capa, riders have to demonstrate a certain proficiency to be in parades.  They have to demonstrate a more extensive proficiency to be in performances.  The performance team is high caliber and are often a paid performance at rodeos.  There are few riders that make the performance team the first year.  However, the parade team is doable with a bit of hard and a horse that can handle the noise/crowds.  Sidney has been riding Marley for practices.  This has been challenging, as both Marley and Sidney are new to Eh Capa.  Dilynn asked Sidney if she wanted to try riding Mercy for the parade.  Sidney was excited about the idea, as Mercy has experience with the crowds.  

The night before the parade, we were not sure that Sidney would be on the team.  In fact, we had stopped short of finishing her costume, assuming she would not be.  So, I was very surprised when they rolled the parade team out and Sidney was in the line up.  Holy buckets, I guess I was pulling an all nighter to get her ready for the next day.  Thank goodness we had made as much costume progress as we had.  

Part of the costume entails a lot of seed beading.  Here is Sidney working on her medallion.  I thought for sure I would be the one doing all the beading.  Much to my pleasure, Sidney took a great deal of ownership in the process and did quite a lot of the beading.  The medallions are beaded on fabric.

The hat bands are beaded on a loom.  This was the first time doing either of these techniques for both of us.  It was challenging at first, but we got the hang of it.

It was an incredibly late Friday evening (or perhaps even into Saturday morning) for all of us.  Sidney was so wound up she took a melatonin to help her fall asleep.  The alarm clock went off at 5:30 am, and it was off to Alyssa's to start loading up horses.  It was the first parade for both Nelly and Sidney.  They were both very excited.

Here is Sidney all geared up, horse painted.  I will have you note that they do this with NOTHING but a leather tack rein.  No saddle, no pad, no bit, no bridle.  This is the very reason that they have to demonstrate proficiency.  It is for the safety of everyone involved.

And this picture is where my emotions came flooding in.  It was completely unexpected.  All of the girls took their horses and lined up in the staging area.  I went to take a picture and the tears just came pouring out.  It was a good thing that I was standing behind everyone.  Wilson jumped to give me a hug, as Evan smiled.  I just wish with ALL.MY.HEART that Kevin were with us to experience all of this.  He would be absolutely thrilled.  

Here are the Eh Capa papa's.  As Wilson said, if Kevin were here he would be donning a red button up and walking along as part of the safety crew.  This great group of Dad's, and sometimes Mom's, carry bridles and halters in case a rider or a horse gets into trouble.

Here we are, the parade bystanders.  It was such a fun time watching all of the parade participants go by.  It had the feeling of a small town parade.  There were fire trucks, police vehicles, old time cars, clubs, etc.  All of the horses were at the end of the line with the street sweeper coming after them, so we had plenty of time to cheer everyone on and catch some candy being thrown.

Finally, here came the Eh Capa Bareback riders!  Sidney was grinning from ear to ear!

The Eh Capa coach, Brandi, is part of the Snake River Stampeders Night Light Drill Team.  This is a pretty elite group of riders.  It was fun to cheer them on as well.

Alyssa tried out for the team this year, and made it.  No surprise there!  It is so good to see her having some fun of her own.

Here is the Healing Hooves crew!

Wilson and Alyssa enjoying the day.

Sidney's cheering squad.

Me and my girls.