History Highlights of the Westernaires at National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, part 3 of 3
“I can say, without any reservations, I don’t think there is anyone in the world that can touch the Westernaires.”
1967 – Westernaires celebrates the Centennial anniversary of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) was founded in 1867—nine years before Colorado became a state. It became the first statewide cattlemen’s association in the nation. 1967 brought its 100th anniversary, and Westernaires was pleased and honored to help them celebrate at the National Western Stock Show that year.
Perfection of speed, timing, and spacing is abundantly evident in the "Starburst" maneuver, performed by the Westernaires Varsity Big Red Team at the 1967 National Western Stock Show.
Westernaires founder, Elmer E. Wyland, gives a tip of the hat in the arena after a Westernaires performance at the 1967 National Western Stock Show.
Varsity Big Red Team performs their "Corkscrew" maneuver at the 1967 National Western Stock Show.
Mike Skelton entering the arena carrying the Colorado Flag for the Varsity Big Red Team. The Varsity flag riders wore cowboy garb in celebration of 100 years of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association.
Not only are they great in the arena! Westernaires specialty acts were tapped to perform a stage show on Denver's 16th Street - on top of the May D&F ice skating rink. A Westernaires quartet entertains the audience on Denver's 16th Street on January 21st, 1967.
A Westernaires roper performs a "Double Wedding Ring with Toe Dance" rope trick for the public on 16th Street to promote Denver's 1967 National Western Stock Show and the 100th anniversary of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association.
1969 – Westernaires Introduces their Dressage-inspired act to the audience of the National Western Stock Show
Westernaires has been honored to share so many of their specialty teams with the National Western's audiences, including (but not limited to) their: Sidesaddles to Satellites act, indian Fantasy act, bullwhip act, Cavalry battle, Riders of the Steppes, trick riders, roman riders, and many more. Here are some highlights of the 1969 National Western debut of the Westernaires dressage-inspired team.
Dressage Captain Melody Mundell, followed by Sharon Easley, leads the Dressage team into their gracefully-measured act, 1969.
Riders perform the side-pass maneuver at the 1969 National Western Stock Show.
Melodie Mundell salutes the National Western Stock Show crowd during the 1969 exhibition of the dressage riders of Westernaires.
1991 – The Westernaires FReedom Riders trick riding team make their debut at the National Western
Giles Weeter and Karen Kronauge perform their Angel Carry trick during a 1992 National Western Stock Show rodeo. They later became members of the Universal Stuntmen’s Association.
For decades, the Westernaires trick riders were not permitted to perform at National Western, due to contractual conflicts of interest with professional trick riding acts. However, National Western management were convinced of the Westernaires’ prowess in trick riding by the early 1990s, and permitted the Westernaires to perform for the first time ever, during one of the PRCA rodeo performances. Westernaires Freedom Riders have been a staple at the National Western ever since.
The following year, immediately following one of the Freedom Riders’ performances, a couple of Westernaires trick riders were scouted and signed by the Universal Stuntmen’s Association.
1995 – THE "EVENING OF DANCING HORSES" MAKES ITS DEBUT AT NWSS, AND WESTERNAIRES ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE ACTS WITHIN THE SHOW
Award winning singer Michael Martin Murphey was asked by the NWSS asked to produce the original An Evening of Dancing Horses back in 1995. Select Varsity riders and the Westernaires Equidrille team perform regularly in this show that combines art, music, lighting, and fine horsemandship.
1998 – The "Wild West Show" makes its debut at NWSS, and Westernaires are asked to provide multiple acts within the show
Exciting new ticketed events are a consistent part of the National Western’s history. Inspired by Buffalo Bill’s wild west shows from the late 1800s which combined horsemen from the world over, this show was a spectacle of delight and action -- National Western’s Wild West Show was born. Select Westernaires acts have been featured each year in this fun, exciting show designed for all ages.
2001 – Westernaires present a completely redesigned Grand Entry – lighted horses and riders enter into a dark coliseum
Always looking to innovate and provide even more excitement to the National Western Stock Show audiences, Westernaires introduced a new Grand Entry act in 2001. The drill is performed in a completely darkened arena (which can be challenging for both horse and rider), and the visuals are stunning. The technology of battery packs and illumination continues to evolve with LED innovation, and 2016 brought the 3rd generation of super-bright LEDs.
Westernaires lighted Grand Entry in their 1st generation costuming at the 2001 National Western Stock Show.
Westernaires lighted Grand Entry in their 2nd generation costumes.
The Westernaires lighted Grand Entry team, in their 3rd generation costumes, dash through the gate and into the arena at the 2016 National Western Stock Show.
Westernaires lighted Grand Entry team performs a "Propeller" maneuver at the 2016 National Western Stock Show. These super-bright LED costumes are the latest in technology, and represent the 3rd generation of these Grand Entry costumes. Thank you to John Mah for the use of this picture.
The Westernaires Varsity Big Red Team perform their LED-lit Grand Entry drill at Denver's National Western Stock Show Rodeo on January 23, 2016.
2011 – National Western's New Wild West Show premieres
A new, action-packed show reproduces the groundbreaking Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show that formed in 1883 and lasted until 1915. National Western audiences flock to take part in these historically-themed, dashing, stunt-filled acts and stories that bring history to life.
Westernaires trick riders make quite the spectacle in National Western's Wild West Show. Here's McKenna Butler at a 2016 Wild West Show performance. (Photo by Insight Imagery, LLC)
Westernaires Cavalry riders play numerous parts in National Western's Wild West Show. (Photo by Insight Imagery, LLC)
2023 – WESTERNAIRES TRICK AND FANCY ROPERS MAKE THEIR RETURN TO NATIONAL WESTERN
It had been many decades since the Westernaires Trick and Fancy Ropers had featured their talents at the National Western, and we were thrilled to re-introduce these dynamic young performers to the National Western’s itinerary of events. Westernaires ropers entertained guests of the media, performed numerous times for full-capacity crowds in the Ames Pavillion, and (our favorite) interacted with guests of the Exceptional Rodeo.
Westernaires Trick and Fancy Ropers share roping tips with guests of the National Western’s 2023 Exceptional Rodeo, a truly exceptional event
Ropers impressed the visitors of the Ames Pavillion arena numerous times over 2023’s Best 16 Days in January
“There seems to be some general reservations [in this nation] as to whether our young people are ready to take over our country, and the duties to replace and manage a country like ours. And I get the strong feeling in watching the discipline and dedication in what [the Westernaires] have to do and apply themselves. I think what touches me most in these drills is the very intricate and beautiful choreography. I mean, it’s beautiful and it’s something else to watch it. You know, I get the feeling that this is what we are all about in America. That if these are the kind of people that are going to take over the the duties to run our country, I’m not afraid to turn it over to them at all.”
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