4 minute read
BEYOND THE RODEO
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDA SCHAFER
EhCapa Bareback Riders Showcase Idaho’s Equestrian Spirit
BY ZACHARY VINEYARD
No matter how long you’ve lived in Idaho, you’ve probably discovered its thriving horse community, full of cowboys, performance riders, million-dollar reiners, and ranchers. The cultural connection between Idaho and horses is undeniable. Nestled within this diverse scene is one of the most unique horse riding clubs in the west. It’s a club dedicated to youth riders under 18 where the riders perform without the security of bridles or saddles. Read that again—no bridles or saddles. Showcasing a breathtaking display of trust between rider and horse, The EhCapa Bareback Riders have been performing throughout the west since 1956, including, within the last five years, in Steamboat Springs, CO, Tehachapi, CA, Prineville, OR, and various cities and towns in Idaho. They are a staple in Sun Valley’s Wagon Days celebration and a unique part of horse culture within the Gem State.
The particular magic in this club comes from the style of riding adopted by its riders. Requiring a proven connection between horse and rider, loping a drill bareback takes serious skill. As many as 30 riders at once enter a rodeo arena and perform, at the lope, a series of drill maneuvers that includes pinwheels, crossing formations, and evenly spaced circles. Some riders take their horse-rider connection to the next level and jump during live performances in front of rodeo crowds. The drill can also include Liberty riding, where riders walk, trot, and lope their horses without any tack and control their horse with only leg and voice cues.
Kaycee McFarland, club president of EhCapa, didn’t think twice about having her kids join the club as soon as they could. “My oldest daughter fell in love with horses and I knew the best thing for a fantastic foundation would be riding with EhCapa. I rode in the club as a youth for eight years,” she said.
The generational impact of this club is real and club families learn early on that, as McFarland said, “the most exciting part is traveling with the group and family to various locations and rodeos, and seeing the smiles on my kids’ faces as they perform in front of thousands of strangers.”
EhCapa is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) approved entertainment act, but it isn’t your typical rodeo act. Instead, it is a testament to dedication, courage, and the deep respect these young riders have for their horses. They push boundaries within horsemanship, accomplishing feats that would impress even seasoned equestrians.
“This group is extremely important because it teaches responsibility to our youth. It teaches them how to love and care for someone other than themselves, and it teaches camaraderie. The time riders put into the horses and club will pay for lifelong lessons and memories they will cherish for years to come,” McFarland said.
So, next time you’re looking for a taste of Idaho’s unique spirit, forget the bull riders, clown antics, and roped steers, and keep an eye out for EhCapa—an entertainment act disguised as the dazzling display of youth, talent, and the incredible bond between horse and rider. These kids can ride!
In its 2024 season, you’ll have opportunities to see EhCapa perform on June 28 at the Treasure Valley Lions Rodeo in Meridian, on Fourth of July weekend at the Haines Stampede in Haines, OR, and on July 18 as part of the Snake River Stampede’s pre-rodeo events. More information, including other event dates, can be found at ehcapa.com.
