Parade Horse Parade Saddle Silver Saddle Ted Flowers

Looking for vintage parade saddle catalogs?

CLICK HERE

INTRODUCTION TO HOLLYWOOD COWBOYS, SILVER PARADE SADDLES, & THE WESTERN CLOTHING DESIGNERS WHO COMPLETED THE LOOK!

PARADING THE SILVER:

Go to: PAGE 2

Introduction

If you have ever dreamed of parading down Main Street in your home town on a prancing horse attired in mesmerizing silver tack, then you've come to the right place. Silver parade saddles appeared in the 30's & 40's & became even more popular as the Hollywood Cowboy era hit it's heyday in the 50's & 60's. They were especially popular in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, & can still be seen in that parade today. Horse shows began including classes for parade horses & silver saddles became more ornamental with each passing year.

Today, there are few silver parade saddle makers left. The Hollywood Cowboy days are a by-gone era, but those still lucky enough to own parade saddles love to show off what are now predominently antique saddles. This site is for those who still appreciate the tradition of riding a fine horse dressed in silver & flashy floral decor. Our hats are off in honor of the famous saddle makers such as Edward Bohlin, Frank Coenan, Keyston Brothers, Ted Flowers, Bruce Lovins, L. V. Frazer & scores of other silver saddle makers who created such beautiful tack. We also tip our hats to the famous Hollywood clothing designers such as Nudie Cohn, Fay Ward, Manuel & Nathan Turk, to name a few. These designers dressed the Hollywood cowboys, country, pop & rock musicians alike in gorgeous embroidered suits & shirts with glittering crystal embellishments, many of which are now only glimpsed in museums or private collections.

Golden American Saddlebred, Peavine's Golden Major, a Parade Horse Champion in the 50's.

Our Mission: Showin' Style hopes to give a little of that era back to those who dream about parading in the Hollywood tradition. On these pages you can find colorful serapes that can be paired with a silver saddle or put with a pleasure saddle for parades, presentations & extra dressy occasions. Treat yourself to one of our antique cowboy shirts or authentic parade suits. Be sure to check out our floral decor - guaranteed to be an eye catcher on your horse! Even if you don't ride, many admirers choose to decorate their homes with the colorful attire & silver.

Our Introduction pages are just that - informative pages to give you some background on silver parade saddles, famous Hollywood designers associated with parade outfits, & interesting parade history facts. Virtually all of our pictures can be clicked for enlargement & we hope to further your silver parade knowledge & "WOW" newbies who aren't as familiar with what parading the silver is all about!

(click to enlarge)

Antique Indian Head German Silver Parade Set made by Ted Flowers

Parade Saddles & Serapes

LEFT: This set illustrates use of coordinating leather serapes covered in German Silver "spots". The striped saddle pad is called a Corona & is traditionally used with parade saddles. Coronas can be any color, but red & white or black & white is most common. This set features a silver covered parade bridle with face chain, tapadero covered stirrups & wide silver covered breast collar. Note the large silver Indian Head medallions on the saddle, tapaderos & breastcollar - this particular feature is highly prized by collectors.

RIGHT: This set illustrates use of fabric serapes, which would coordinate with what the rider would wear. Fabric serapes were even more common than silver covered serapes during the "Hollywood Cowboy" heyday because they they could be used with a parade saddle or a pleasure saddle for extra glitz. This particular parade set is highly collectible because of it's rare brown color - most parade sets were black. The blue serapes are made by one of the most high profile western cowboy clothing designers, "Nudie" Cohn. Nudie clothed the music industry & most Hollywood entertainers in his fabulous attire that lit up stages and parades alike.

(click to enlarge)

Antique brown parade saddle made by Ted Flowers, Model #599, with "Nudie" serapes

STEPHEN DEBOLT OF KOHLER STABLES & HVK PAVAROTTI

Hollywood Cowboy Fashion Designer

Fay Ward

Along with the silver parade saddle makers, there also were the prominent western clothing designers who specialized in rhinestones, embroidery & custom made outfits to make celebrities look fabulous. Featured below is a museum quality Indian Chief parade outfit made by Fay Ward in the late 50's. Most recently, the Indian Chief shirt was worn by the winning Kohler Stables entry, HVK Pavarotti, at the 2007 Morgan Grand National Horse Show. Also featured are 3 other incredible Fay Ward designed parade outfits. Under night lights, these outfits are dazzling! These 4 sets are part of the Briarcreek Farm private collection.

Photo Credit: Howie Schatzberg

2007 MORGAN GRAND NATIONAL PARADE WORLD CHAMPIONS

Fay Ward Gold Lame

Fay Ward Eagle Parade Outfit

Fay Ward Indian Chief Outfit

Fay Ward Christmas Parade Outfit

Click on the link below to see some fabulous vintage western attire designed by Nudie Cohn. All attire is owned and modeled by members of the Cowgirl's Historical Foundation:

NUDIE ATTIRE

EXCERPTED FROM 2009 CURRENT USEF RULES:

PARADE HORSE & SADDLE HORSE OR PONY, WESTERN EQUIPMENT DIVISION

SUBCHAPTER PH-1 GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS.

PH101 Description.

1. The Parade Horse must be a beautiful, stylish animal, displaying refinement and personality and presenting eye-appeal of horse and rider. Entries may be of any color or combination of colors, of any breed or combination of breeds, stallions, mares, or geldings. Good manners are essential, both in executing gaits and while lined up in the ring.

2. Horses must be serviceably sound and in good condition. Since beauty is important, blemishes will be considered.

3. Horses must be shown with a full mane, braided if desired and a tail may be set prior to showing. An inconspicuously applied tail switch or top is permitted and a brace may be used. Any kind of tie-down, martingale, draw reins and boots are not permitted.

4. Entries must be over 14.2 hands. Ponies are not eligible for Parade Horse classes, however separate classes for ponies 14.2 hands and under may be offered for junior exhibitors and judged under the same rules.

PH102 Gaits.

The Parade Horse will be shown at an animated walk and at a parade gait. The animated walk shall be a graceful, four-beat, straight, brisk movement but not a jog-trot and slow enough to differentiate between the animated walk and the parade gait. The parade gait shall be a true, straight, high-prancing movement - square, collected and balanced with hocks well under, the maximum speed being 5 MPH. It is recommended that a 50’ stretch be marked off and a horse covering it in less than seven seconds be faulted.

PH103 Appointments.

1. Equipment and rider must be suitable to the size of the horse.

2. Entries shall be shown under stock saddle with silver, Mexican or other appropriate equipment.

3. Riders shall wear attire which is both colorful and typical of the Old West, of American, Mexican or Spanish origin, consisting of fancy cowboy suit, hat and boots. Spurs, guns, serapes, etc., are optional.

TO READ THE COMPLETE USEF RULES FOR THE PARADE HORSE DIVISION, CLICK HERE: http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/19-PH.pdf

Site design by Briarcreek Farm

No part of this site may be reproduced without written consent