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Blue Mountain Rider's
History
1952 - 1962
November 13, 1952
President - Mrs. Ted ( Margaret) Millgard
Vice President - Mrs. Ralph Keyes
Sec. Treasurer - Mrs. Chet Young
Publicity Chairman - Mrs. Ernest Carvell
February 1953
President - Mrs. Ted ( Margaret) Millgard
Vice President - Mrs. Ralph Keyes
Sec. Treasurer & Publicity Chairman - Mrs. Harry (Edna) Ruby
At the February 1953 meeting in the YWCA the name Equitani-Anns was officially adopted as the women’s riding group. Meetings were set as the 1st Monday of the every month except July, August, and September. Riding times at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds were set for Saturday afternoons in the winter.
The April meeting saw the first parade uniforms started. They were blue jeans, a white straw hat, a washable red striped shirt and a blue gambler tie. All colors of horses were acceptable. Helen Duff was the new treasurer. Riding instructions were held every Thursday morning at 10:30 AM at the Fairgrounds and a pleasure ride was held every Saturday afternoon with riders leaving the grounds at 2 PM.
The ladies paraded in the May Spring Race Meet in Walla Walla and then at Waitsburg, Dayton, and the fall Fair parade.
The name was changed to Blue Mountain Riders in January 1954 due to misspellings and mispronunciations at the various parades. A new Yearbook was printed and given to each member.
In July 1954, new uniforms for the Parade group were ordered from Hamley's in Pendleton and were used first in the Fair parade. Off-white shirts, trimmed in rust, rust colored pants and hat and off-white scarves. Also a rust and cream corona roll pad for the saddles. Then at the first Pendleton parade and an honorable mention was received.
In March 1955 a Road Trash committee was formed and was the start of highway clean-up. Rides were changed to Tuesdays at 2 PM and were called “Coffee Trots”.
In January 1957 the club asked for widening of the shoulders along County Roads to accommodate bridle paths. Not too much was accomplished along these lines, but we tried.
Our first Christmas dinner was in December 1957 and was held at The Trolley Inn on 9th Street. (Now the Polar Bear Club) About 20 members attended.
100%'ers at the 1961 Christmas Dinner.
The first Mountain Trip was held September 1960 at the Tollgate Cabins of Mrs. John Ralston and Mrs. Darrell Harvey. The first scrapbook was started with a wealth of information and pictures. It was put together by Miss Helen Dillon and was a work of art. We have an “In Memorium” scrapbook started, so some pictures and items are in that scrapbook.
1962 - 1967
In August 1962 we drove to Wallowa Lake and stayed in Helen Hof’s cabin. We rented horses and rode into Aneroid Lake.
Believe it or not, the ladies used to dress up for the meetings: Very few pants were worn and absolutely NO jeans!
We had Hobo and House Warming parties in Winona Gray’s and Deniece Marr’s new homes, before they were completed. Shirley Dickerson and Charmaine Beck were very busy with barrel racing. We had a Hootenanny at Winona Gray’s home in June 1963. The club showed a lot of talent with singing, dancing, and skits.
In September 1963 we went out to Ernest and Mildred Cowell's at Eureka for an all day trail ride. Some got lost and a spotter plane set off to find them.
In November 1963 the ladies helped put on a Fashion Show with Western Wear from Soper”s Leather Goods. The pictures in the scrapbook are beautiful.
The Christmas Dinner was moved to the Elk’s Club in December 1963. The Brag Bank was started. In 1966 the Colt Peek was started.
Gene and Betty Soper were married in September 1966 and were serenaded by members on horseback one evening. Then on to Winona Gray’s for an evening of gifts and fun. The Thank You letters were written by Gene and are well worth reading in the 1962-67 scrapbook.
Several members gave the skit “The Sound of Gunsmoke” in Roberta Gadwood’s home (new Soper home) in May 1967, and then again for the
Sheriff's Posse in June.
Then back to Wallowa for the July 1967 Mountain Ride. We again rented horses.
1967 - 1974
In 1967 Betty Soper took over the scrapbooks which at present (June 2001) total 23!
The 1968 Mountain Ride was at Zelma Weathermon’s cabin up the Walla Walla River and a swimming party at Deniece Mann’s. In 1970 we gave our first Horse Show at the Fairgrounds.
Shirley Hindman won the Elgin Suicide Race in July 1970 and received a new saddle. This was quite an accomplishment as only men participated in this race!
In June 1973 Gayla and Bish bought a new 4 horse trailer, so we turned it into a Trolley and took everyone to the Monday night meeting. Members were charged to ride in this transportation. It made the newspapers. (Little did we know it was illegal to ride in a horse trailer!)
Horse Show money was donated to the Lily Rice center. The White Elephant sales were started.
The parade group took a 4 or 5 year vacation, but made a big comeback May 11, 1974 in the Milton Freewater Pea Festival Parade. The white uniforms were an instant hit and brought home a Blue Ribbon and a large trophy.
1974 - 1977
The usual Mountain Ride, Christmas Dinner, and Firsts in parades. Phyllis Brown became the official whistle blower and the parade trophies could be seen at
Sopers Leather Goods.
1978 - 1980
This scrapbook is exceptionally nice with lots of color and nice pictures. Paraded in Moses Lake and Elgin. Gayla started up Catering through Whitman College. Dr. Corey spoke at a meeting. Another barn business play was given and a gambling night was had. Mt. St. Helen’s blew and we paraded in Dayton in the Ash!
1980 - 1983
June 15, 1980 five of our members rode in the Portland Rose parade as a Color Guard. Also had to compete with Mt. St. Helen’s Ash. This was good for 2nd place, but from now on ....”Look out Portland!”
We now have a Little Sister Club called Granite Mountain Riders in Prescott, Arizona, due to Deniece Marr.. It is fun to hear from them.
In 1982 and 1983 we were big winners in Portland. Even the Pooper Scoopers won an award!
1983 - 1985
Two parades in one day: Waitsburg in the morning and Spokane that night! May 19, 1984. Also two First places! Wow! In September 1984 we froze to death in the Yakima parade, but won first place anyway. On August 2, 1985 the paraders drove to Seattle for the Seafair Trucklite Parade and came back with a second place.
1985 - 1988
April 7, 1986 the parade group gave a style show of all the Parade uniforms.
Also Gayla acquired a new Hot Tub and it was a wonderful place for a meeting in July of 1986.
Eileen Purcynski and family showed Arabians in Reno in 1987 and had a good visit with Wayne Newton.
“Squaws Along the Yukon” becomes the official song on the Mountain Ride in 1987 at the Hindman’s Ranch.
1988 - 1990
Held a meeting at the Humane Society in November 1989. Didn’t go over
too well as everyone wanted to take a dog and a cat home. There were so many begging looks.
1990 - 1991
June 9, 1990 The Pooper Scoopers were outstanding in the Portland Parade. A miniature stagecoach pulled by two Rottweiler Dogs and covered with roses was handled by Cindy, Molly, and Corey Bishop dressed as dance hall girls and a cowboy was good for first prize again.
August 1991 the Parade Group drove to Port Angeles, stayed with Nyla and Craig Smiley, and rode in the parade and ocean.
1992
A group took in the Calgary Stampede July 3, 1992, just as tourists... no horses. They took in the parade and all Calgary had to offer.
Saturday, November 14, 1992. We held our 40th Anniversary Party at the Elk’s. A skit was put on and Gene
Soper really roasted the club. Lots of reminiscing, prizes, and fun for all.
1992-1993 Officers
President - Stephanie Konen
Vice President - Michelle Skaun
Secretary - Teri Olsen
Treasurer - Trish Berger
1993-1997
Lots of good riding, meetings, parading and Mountain Rides. Scrapbooks tell it all.
1995-1997 Officers
President - Trish Berger
Vice President - Donna Laisure
Secretary - Janice Anderson
Treasurer - Donna Hubbs
An excellent Mountain Ride near Meachem, Oregon. Parade group did Omak,
Washington. Temperature was 102 degrees but a good time was had by all. Brought home another beautiful trophy.
1997 - 1998 Officers
President - Nancy Head
Vice President - Brenda Marshall
Secretary - Sam Cobb
Treasurer - Estella Edson
Cassie Spangrude now helping with scrapbooks. She has a fast camera and is good on Mountain Rides and Colt Peeks.
Cindy and Tamzen swimming during the Mountain Ride.
Compiled by Betty Soper.
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