Easter Seals Colorado has recognized the Westernaires for their dedication and commitment to the Easter Seals Organization.
This past summer, the Westernaires continued a 25 year tradition by making the trip up to the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village in Empire Colorado. Rocky Mountain Village is a beautiful camp in the mountains where children with disabilities spend a week during the summer so they can experience new things such as arts and crafts, fishing, zip line, climbing walls and horseback riding. It's also a place where the kids have lots of fun with caring camp counselors, while giving their parents a much needed break.
The "Precisionettes" spent a day at the camp as a way of giving back to the community. The precision drill team which included over 50 girls and their horses performed for the campers, their families and staff. The hour long variety show started with announcer and Westernaires Assistant Director Art Geis welcoming the very enthusiastic audience. The show started with "Grand Entry", in which every performer parades around the arena on horseback. Before the show continued, the audience was asked to please stand and help sing the National Anthem as two riders caring the American Flag posted them "Western Style", a Westernaire tradition.
The show continued with a trick rope routine, followed by Red Liberty (girls riding bareback with only a thin wire around the horse's neck), Horse Romans (performers standing atop two horses while executing difficult maneuvers), Belle Starr Whips, Equidance and then an unusually funny clown act. The finale featured the Precisionettes performing their high speed precision drill for the delighted campers.
The Westernaire organization has a long standing commitment to giving back to their community while promoting our western heritage. In July, they gave three special performances at Fort Westernaire for pre-school children who were invited to watch one of the free shows. While there, the children were given a tour of the Westeraires' western history museum. Also, each year members sell tickets to their annual show which are given to children's groups, seniors, and families who are in need so they may enjoy the show at no cost.
The Westernaires, which is celebrating their 60th year, seeks to encourage leadership, self respect and responsibility in young people through horsemanship and family participation. The more than 1000 young men and women, ages 9 to 19 can be seen practicing every Saturday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. They are helped by the 300 adult volunteers who give of their time and talents. Director Glen E. Keller Jr. would like to invite you to their annual show "Horsecapades", which will be held at the Denver National Western Events Center (47th and Humbolt). There will be three shows on Saturday November 7th at 10am, 2pm and 7pm. Sunday November 8th's performance is at 2pm. Tickets are only $7.oo and may be purchased at the door. This is a fun-filled show for the entire family and shouldn't be missed!
For more information about the Westernaires, please visit: www.westernaires.org . For a tour of the Orrin C. Curtiss Westernaire Museum of Western and Riding History, call: 303-279-3767