The Meet-Ups The Newsletter
The official website for Westernaires alumni, family, and friends

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Blog
Elmer Wyland's "Plastic" Show Tack, written by Elmer E. Wyland
Elmer Wyland's "Plastic" Show Tack, written by Elmer E. Wyland

Plastics are everywhere nowadays, but when Westernaires founder Elmer Wyland imagined, designed, and built this vinyl saddle, these materials were rare, noteworthy, and awe-inducing

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About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute
About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute

Enjoy this loving tribute to the man who did so much for Westernaires.

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An Interview with PRCA Pickup Man (and Westernaires Alumnus) Randy Britton
An Interview with PRCA Pickup Man (and Westernaires Alumnus) Randy Britton

Varsity Big Red Team Major Helen Erickson interviewed Westernaires alumnus and PRCA pickup man Randy Britton at the 2022 National Western

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Video Footage from the 1971 Horsecapades and 1972 National Western Stock Show, from alumna Ellen Bondurant
Video Footage from the 1971 Horsecapades and 1972 National Western Stock Show, from alumna Ellen Bondurant

Please enjoy this footage of the 1971 Westernaires Horsecapades Show and the 1972 National Western Stock Show, including behind the scenes footage.

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To know the westernaires alumni, one must first Know a bit about the westernaires

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History

Blog
Elmer Wyland's "Plastic" Show Tack, written by Elmer E. Wyland
Elmer Wyland's "Plastic" Show Tack, written by Elmer E. Wyland

Plastics are everywhere nowadays, but when Westernaires founder Elmer Wyland imagined, designed, and built this vinyl saddle, these materials were rare, noteworthy, and awe-inducing

Read more →
About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute
About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute

Enjoy this loving tribute to the man who did so much for Westernaires.

Read more →
An Interview with PRCA Pickup Man (and Westernaires Alumnus) Randy Britton
An Interview with PRCA Pickup Man (and Westernaires Alumnus) Randy Britton

Varsity Big Red Team Major Helen Erickson interviewed Westernaires alumnus and PRCA pickup man Randy Britton at the 2022 National Western

Read more →
 

Our Charitable Programs

Blog
Contribute to Fundraising Programs that Benefit Westernaires
Contribute to Fundraising Programs that Benefit Westernaires

One of our more recent fundraising programs, please help us to commission a bronze bust celebrating the legacy of Director Emeritus Glen E. Keller, Jr.

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The Sponsor-A-Westernaire-Rider Program
The Sponsor-A-Westernaire-Rider Program

Sponsor-A-Rider program aims to provide short-term financial relief (for Westernaire-related expenses) for families in financial crisis, and to ensure that riders are able to participate in their classes during tough financial times.  Please consider donating to this worthy cause!

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Sponsor A Westernaire Horse
Sponsor A Westernaire Horse

Sponsor any Westernaire horse, in memoriam or living, rental horse or owner horse, pony or draft. All money collected from this fundraising program goes directly to an encumbered fund for the Westernaire rental string, helping to ensure that the horses will always continue to have the tack, supplements, and state-of-the-art care that they need.

Contribute one-time, or on a recurring basis.  

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Pictures!

Blog
About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute
About Glen E. Keller, Jr. - A Tribute

Enjoy this loving tribute to the man who did so much for Westernaires.

Read more →
Video Footage from the 1971 Horsecapades and 1972 National Western Stock Show, from alumna Ellen Bondurant
Video Footage from the 1971 Horsecapades and 1972 National Western Stock Show, from alumna Ellen Bondurant

Please enjoy this footage of the 1971 Westernaires Horsecapades Show and the 1972 National Western Stock Show, including behind the scenes footage.

Read more →
Westernaires appear in the opera "Camelot"
Westernaires appear in the opera "Camelot"

While Westernaires has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, Camelot was the first opportunity for them to be stars of the stage

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What's the Story?

Blog
Westernaires appear in the opera "Camelot"
Westernaires appear in the opera "Camelot"

While Westernaires has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, Camelot was the first opportunity for them to be stars of the stage

Read more →
Tell us a Westernaires Story
Tell us a Westernaires Story

We're looking for alumni, family, and friends to share with us their stories and memories from their past Westernaire days.  The results, based upon what we've seen thus far, are amazing!

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Upcoming Events

Featured
Alumni Week 2026
Aug 17
Westernaires
Alumni Week 2026
Westernaires
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Westernaires
Westernaires Annual "Horsecapades" Show and Alumni Homecoming
Oct 17
National Western Stock Show Events Center
Westernaires Annual "Horsecapades" Show and Alumni Homecoming
National Western Stock Show Events Center

Each year the fundraising for an entire non-profit organization occurs in a most spectacular manner.  Witness hundreds of local youth performing precision drill riding, trick riding, and specialties of the Old West in this two-hour extravaganza of color, music, and movement!

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National Western Stock Show Events Center
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
Jan 9
National Western Stock Show
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
National Western Stock Show

Westernaires has been performing at the National Western Stock Show annually since 1952.  Ask any Westernaires alumna or alumnus to tell you about their favorite stock show memory...  You'll hear the love that they have for this show.

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National Western Stock Show

Alumni Gear -- Now available!

Featured
Alumni Window Decal - 6" x 3"
Sold out
Alumni Window Decal - 6" x 3"
$12.00

Measuring approximately 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall, this custom die-cut decal displays the word "Alumni" over our famous Westernaire "W".  Made of 5-year vinyl, this decal stands up to the elements superbly.

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The Alumni Pin
The Alumni Pin
$10.00

The first-ever, official Westernaires Alumni pin.  This die-struck, enameled silver pin is made in Colorado.  Price includes shipping.

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1971 Westernaires Horsecapades Show Program
1971 Westernaires Horsecapades Show Program
$20.00

This is a .pdf download of the full 1971 Westernaires Horsecapades Show program. Held in November of 1971, the Horsecapades show was held at the National Western’s Stockyards Stadium. 1971 was the first year for the 8 1/2” x 11” sized program, with center staple.

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View fullsize Rest in peace, Brian Ball. You are one of the most remarkable, indispensable, lovable humans to have ever walked this Earth. We are all better for knowing you. From Amy Camargo, Brian's sister: It is with such great sadness that we bring you this ne
View fullsize Here's an update on Brian Ball's status from his family. Please send him your prayers and as much positive energy as you can muster. We love you, Brian! To our Westernaire family, First, I want to thank you for the outpouring of love and support for
View fullsize Alumni, family, and friends, please join us is sending prayers to alumnus and long-time Westernaires volunteer and parent, Brian Ball. Brian is a ray of sunshine, a notorious prankster, and all-around nice guy. Anyone who spends more than 5 minutes a
View fullsize Around this time each year, Westernaires offers some opportunities for adults to get involved in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The Westernaires Senior Instructor class begins Thursday, February 6th, at 7PM in the Fort Westernaire AV Room. It cont
View fullsize Varsity Big Red Team captain Jody Williford performing at the 1962 National Western Stock Show. #westernaires #westernairesalumni #alumnirock #fbfriday #fbf #nwss #varsitybigredteam #varsitybigred
View fullsize Flashback on this Friday to the 1956 National Western -- their Golden Jubilee year. Here are the Westernaires in one of the Grand Entry performances. #westernaires #fbf #fbfriday #nwss #westernaireshistory #westernairesalumni
View fullsize Let's flashback today to 1970 at the National Western Stock Show, and the Westernaires Liberty act preparing to perform. From left to right: Cheryl Andre, Sharon Easley, Jack Moore, BJ Moore, Mr. Wyland (Westernaires founder). #westernaires #tbt #th
View fullsize Pal, ridden by Nancy Knoyer, takes a bow at the 1956 National Western Stock Show. Westernaires created their Golden Sidesaddle Review Act in celebration of National Western's golden anniversary. For more history of Westernaires at the National Weste
View fullsize Westernaires founder, Elmer E. Wyland, and Varsity Major, Sharon Easley, in the Westernaires break room at the 1970 National Western Stock Show. The chalkboard behind them communicated important scheduling notes and Cheryl Andre's statement that &qu
View fullsize Ellen Bondurant, Westernaires Varsity Big Red Team rider, at the 1970 National Western Stock Show. #westernaires #westernairesalumni #nwss #nwss2020 #best16daysinjanuary #throwback #varsitybigred #varsitybigredteam
View fullsize May this Martin Luther King Jr. Day be an uplifting one for all. Together we're better. #westernaires #mlk #mlkday
View fullsize We're taking it back to the 1970 National Western Stock Show. Sharon Easley leads the Westernaires dressage team in their performance during the rodeo. #westernaires #dressage #equidrille #nwss #throwback
View fullsize Flashing back to the Westernaires Varsity Big Red Team exiting the arena and and handing off their flags to Westernaire posse at the 1969 National Western Stock Show. That's Westernaires founder, Elmer E. Wyland, in the far background. #westernaire
View fullsize Flashing back to the 1956 National Western Stock Show, with Westernaires riders in the barn preparing for one of their Grand Entry performances. The Golden Sidedaddle Review act was also introduced in 1956, the 50th anniversary of the NWSS. At the
View fullsize Here's a flashback to the 1990 National Western Stock Show -- alumnus Steve Fowler carries the United Nations flag during the one of the Grand Entry "running of the flags". Members of Varsity Red Team, each with a different flag, would run
View fullsize Can you identify this (former) Westernaires show venue's lace-like ceiling structure? Hint: this grand dame is holding up quite well for her 114-year age. #westernairesalumni #westernaireshistory #annualshow #throwbackthursday #tbt #historic #histo
 
 
 
 
“Coloradans have tremendous vitality and energy. They all seem to be athletes. Great horsemen, too. The Westernaires provided a whole Cavalry troop for a movie that I was working on in Colorado a few years ago. During the filming they put on a show for us. The jumping and formation riding was really spectacular.”
— Norman Rockwell, talking about working alongside the Westernaires Cavalry team on the set of "Stagecoach" in 1966
 
 
 
 
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“Why can’t we all give more of our time to young people? We should not criticize them. We should give them the guidance that only our experience can provide. They’re in need of that, they want it, they relish having real discipline. I’d like to see more people helping the young people. More people making that a way of life after retirement when they can spend more of their time without the press of business. I’d like to see them spend it helping others, helping young people, helping to guide them. There are a lot of ways that it can be done.”
— Elmer E. Wyland, Westernaires Founder and Director from 1949 until his passing in 1983
Read More About the Wylands
 
 
 
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