Saddled up &Ready to Ride

Story by Lizz Daniels Photos by Yesenia Macias

It’s golden hour — that perfect 60 minutes before the sun goes down where the world is awash in warm, glowing light. As the mid-June heat gives way to a breeze, the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse begins warming up their horses for a night of drill team practice.

In the arena, riders trot around each other as a man’s voice booms over the loudspeaker system. They are together for one of the first times since the easing of gathering restrictions, and everyone is excited to be reunited.

Just as spring started, the world shut down due to Coronavirus, leaving horses to grow hay bellies while riders were bored at home. Cancellation of events hit the posse, particularly hard because a lot of what they do is performing for large crowds at parades and rodeos. Organization president Jimmie Callaway remains optimistic despite it being a tough year.

Members of the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse practice a new routine during their Thursday night practice. The riders have a variety of interests, and ride everything from English show horses to clever mules.

We represent the sheriff’s department, but we don’t do anything with them unless they have somebody go missing.

“We do parades and other events, but the Coronavirus has really shut us down this year,” he said. “At our facility, we typically have things going on each night of the week, and the rest of the time, it’s open for people to come. We have a play date coming up if all goes according to plan.”

In the organization’s early days, they worked directly with law enforcement. If the sheriff called, the posse would saddle up and ride to deputies’ aid, providing a critical resource in times of need. Even in 2020, some places are easier to access via horseback. When an individual is lost, and the clock is ticking, a horse can still be law enforcement’s best option for search and rescue operations.

“We represent the sheriff ’s department, but we don’t do anything with them unless they have somebody go missing,” Callaway said. “In those situations, we will come in with the horses and help.”

The Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse has existed in Guadalupe County for roughly the past 50 years. Nowadays, most of their members are families who come out to enjoy the fresh air and equestrian fun provided by the organization.

“This is a family-oriented group,” Alice Campbell said. “We have 4-H kids who come in the morning to work their horses for state. You can come in and ride as a member, or even as the guest of one.”

Members have access to arena facilities as well as a variety of organized events held throughout the week for a yearly fee. They also come together to support the community and participate in Blue Santa each year.

The group’s horseback interests range from roping to barrel racing, and they ride everything from show horses to mules. Their diversity even ranges across equestrian disciplines with both Western and English riders in their midst. The type of saddle doesn’t matter much when it’s a love of horses bringing individuals together.

“The thing is, we have older people, we have younger people, and everybody kinda helps each other,” Callaway said. “We let people decide what they want to do. They’re doing different classes in our play days this year and including a lot more trail stuff. It really helps everyone with their horse.”

Ask pretty much anyone who works with equines, and they’ll tell you that improving your horsemanship is equal parts training and selfimprovement. The posse finds this to be true, and values the skills they instill in their younger riders.

“The kids enjoy riding, and when we do parades, they get to do the pooper scooping,” Callaway said. “I’ve got a Kubota, and the kids ride behind us and do the cleanup. They also get to help make sure we’ve got the flags.”

While shoveling manure may not sound like the most fun, it helps teach individuals to take ownership and responsibility. Horses also help develop character through the trials and tribulations that come along with riding.

“A horse is a reflection of who I am,” Campbell said. “The way they act tells you a lot about the person who owns them, and each horse has their own personality. They learn in different ways, so I always have to keep thinking of how I can ask my horse to do something differently.”

While asking for a skill in a new manner may be the best method of getting things done on horseback, the posse likes for some things to stay the same. Unfortunately, this year’s Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Parade is cancelled along with most, if not all major events at which the group typically performs.

“This year, everything is shut down,” Callaway said. “They haven’t had any rodeos. We usually do the Seguin rodeo and Dripping Springs, but everything’s been rescheduled and is on hold.”

Plans moving forward remain tentative as the group schedules their calendar for the upcoming months. Luckily for them, a safe social distance is as ingrained as staying away from the kicking end of a mare, so at the very least, they can keep their skills sharp while getting some fresh air. Even as the sunlight fades and the arena lights flick on, the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse reruns their drill in the hopes that they will soon perform for spectators.