Child Equestrians Practice for Parade

Eight Los Angeles children chosen to ride horses in the Tournament of Roses parade practiced their smiles and waves Wednesday, gesturing to an imaginary crowd while steering their steeds around a corral at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The parade’s most veteran current rider, Bob Tanner, offered advice based on his 25 years of experience.

“Ride with your right hand and wave with your left to keep your hand out of your face,” he said.

The children, age 9 to 15, are the parade’s youngest equestrians and were chosen based on their outstanding participation in the Wonderful Outdoor World program sponsored by the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department and private corporations.

The children have spent the past six months learning the basics of riding and caring for horses, and this week’s lessons are geared specifically toward parade safety, said Dave Griffith, a Wonderful Outdoor World coordinator.

One concern is parade noise scaring the horses, so the lessons include how to nudge the animals back on course if they veer and how to dismount in an emergency, Tanner said. However, the horses have several years of parade experience, and no problems were anticipated, he added.

For the kids, any concerns were secondary to the excitement of being in the Rose Parade.

“I never thought I’d be in the parade,” said Johnny Ochoa, 15, of Tujunga. “I’ve been watching it as long as I can remember” on TV.

Tanner donated the horses the children will ride from the business he owns in Mammoth Lakes, Red’s Meadow Pack Station, which leads trail rides and overnight trips through the Sierras.

The Wonderful Outdoor World parade entry will simulate the three-day excursion Tanner took the group on last July, with a string of mules carrying packs and gear riding ahead of the children.

Other Valley youths in the group are Kenny Risen, 12, of Glendale; James Plummer, 13, of Canoga Park; Inna Ziber, 10, and Claudia Marroquin, 15, of North Hollywood.