If you have ever been to a parade on the South Plains, more than likely you have seen the Forgotten West Riders. A local riding club that has been around for more than 30 years, they teach horsemanship, life skills and being role models to those who see them.
Founded in the 1970s as the East Side Colonial Riders, they changed their name to the Forgotten West Riders in 1985. They ride in parades, rodeos and have traveled as far as 500 miles away.
They are easy to spot in their traditional cowboy uniforms. They have made a name for themselves, not just here on the South Plains, but around the state. However, it is more than just parades and trail rides.
“They get the responsibility of taking care of their own horse and being responsible for feeding, watering and nurturing their own horses,” member LaCarl Richardson said. “A lot comes with that.”
They take pride in teaching the younger generations the old ways of the Wild West and take the time to educate them on the history of their community and club.
“We want to allow the kids to understand who they are, where they came from and how this got started,” Richardson said. “We want to give back to them the same thing that was given to us.”
The Forgotten West Riders are a family – not of blood, but brought together through history and love of riding.
“It is really like a fraternity,” Richardson said. “Whenever things go wrong in our lives, we look after one another. When we need help, we are there for each other.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Forgotten West Rider can find out more information through their Facebook page.