Trick Riding at the Stonyford Rodeo

The Daredevil Sweethearts will make their first appearance at the Stonyford Rodeo, May 2 and 3, 2015. While this is their first appearance, it is not the first time a trick-riding team has appeared at the rodeo. The last time was in 1987, with the final appearance of The Flying Cossacks. From 1948 through 1987, trick riding was a staple in Stonyford. Local resident Carmel Moore started it; then four of her children, two nieces, and a friend formed The Flying Cossacks and continued the tradition.

According to Back In Time: Stonyford Community History: “The history of trick riding dates back to the early Romans, who stood upright on the backs of their racing horses. The armies of the world later taught stunt riding, to enable their men to become less visible to their enemy. Present day stunts, such as the Fender Drag or the hidden ride performed by the Plains Indian, evolved from this era. Soldiers were taught to vault to their saddles, and to pick up swords or injured comrades from the ground.

“A later era brought into the circus rosin-back riding that was performed on large horses.

“In 1893 stunt riding was introduced to the United States by the Russian Cossacks at the Chicago World Fair. The American cowboy took it from there, perfecting and inventing new stunts and developing the foundation for the modern day trick and fancy riding.

“Trick riding started as a contest in 1910 and continued as a competitive event until about 1935. Ted Elder held the title ‘World Champion Trick Rider’ for many years. Gene McLaughlin was the ‘World Champion Trick Roper,’ and Dick Griffith was an ‘International Trick Riding Champion.’ (Dick Griffith was a mentor to the Daredevil Sweetheart’s founder Bobbie Stone.)

“Since then, trick riding has become an exhibition or rodeo specialty act. Today it has been perfected to become an art form of gymnastic ballet on horseback. When combined with classic costuming and background music, trick riding is exciting to watch.”

Come to the Stonyford Rodeo, on May 2 and 3, 2015, and see the Daredevil Sweethearts perform this ancient art form, not seen in Stonyford for 28 years.

Get your tickets online at www.stonycreekhorsemen.org, or at any of the area businesses shown on the website. Tickets purchased in advance of the rodeo are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets purchased at the gate are $15 for adults and $7 for children.