Dust N' Diamonds

Gracing the Grand Opening of the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Associations upcoming PRCA Rodeo on Aug.14–15 in the Milano Arena at the Tehachapi Event Center and Rodeo Grounds will be the Dust N’ Diamonds Equestrian Drill Team. The “Diamonds” are both a competitive and exhibition equestrian drill team. This award winning group of all women ride in unison to create formations and patterns while riding their horses at speeds that would scare the average equestrian.

The Dust N’ Diamonds Equestrian Drill Team was founded in 1992 and is composed of ladies here in the Tehachapi area. They hold the honor of being the 2005 Mixed Division Champions in the Western State Equestrian Drill Team Association and in 2010 the Diamonds were the mixed division champions of California. The team continues to excite and entertain their rodeo fans dressed in their trademark beautiful turquoise and silver sequins with matching leather chaps and tack. The members create an almost dance like effect on horseback as they perform intricate precision drill maneuvers choreographed to music.

The twelve member team of Dust N’ Diamonds train for many hours to hone the intricate riding patterns they use to dazzle the crowds. Under the leadership of Drill Master Kim Farwell, they practice once a week at McCarthy’s in Bealville. The Diamonds compete on an average of three times a year; Reno, Tulare and Santa Rosa under the Western States Drill Team Association. The Dust N’ Diamonds Equestrian Drill Team is sure to leave the crowds of our PRCA Rodeo cheering for more. We hope everyone will come to support the Rodeo and to watch these talented ladies ride.

As a special treat for our rodeo fans this year we are inviting into the arena a group of young bareback riders from the EHCAPA Bareback Riding group from Idaho. The EHCAPA Bareback Riders is a group of youth age 8 through 19. They have developed a unique relationship with their horses based on sound horsemanship principles. They control their horses with leg cues, their voices, and a one-inch wide leather strap around the horse’s neck known as the tack rein. EHCAPA believes that when a young person learns to build trust in the horses they love, the results can be remarkable. The clubs style is reminiscent of the Native American Indians. The organization rides in the hope of bringing honor to the Native Americans from their beautiful handmade clothing to the traditional native symbols painted on their horses. The fluid motion between these riders and their horses is a wonderous thing to behold

This great family friendly event is held each year in conjunction with the Tehachapi Mountain Festival. Discount rodeo tickets are now officially on sale at our ticket outlets. The tickets for the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association PRCA Rodeo can be purchased for a presale $2 discount prior to the day of the event at our local ticket outlets in Tehachapi at Albertsons, Hemme Hay, Keller Williams, Tehachapi’s Own Western Wear, and the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. They are also available at The Emporium Western Store in Bakersfield as well as the Boot Barn in both Bakersfield stores are: Adults $13 with a special admission ticket price of $10 for Seniors 60+, active military personal with a military id, and children ages 5-12. Children under the age of 5 are admitted free with a paid adult. Parking will be $5 and is a fundraiser for the Tehachapi Police Explorers Post. Ticket prices at gate will be $2.00 more for each catagory.

Visit our website at http://www.tehachapiprorodeo.com or phone TMRA at (661) 557-7336 to learn more about joining the TMRA family. Be sure to like us on Facebook so we can keep you updated with all the latest and greatest rodeo news. [Editor’s note: See Dust N’ Diamonds in action on the front page of this issue.]