Medford mail tribune., June 01, 1958, Image 15

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MEDFORD
Tribune
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MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 1958
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Medford Trail Riders boast of a unique hobby some of the members square dance on horseback. Organized in 1944, the group of
riders began to practice square dance formations while mounted, and -soon became so pVoficient that they have performed at rodeos, O
horse shows, community festivals and other events throughout Oregon. Each year the riders learn a new. routine and this year the dance
U the Grapevine Swing. The women weaQ colorful blouses and extra full square dance skirts, the men traditional riding shirts and
wousers. Pictured during a recent practice are (left to right) Mrs. Laurel Krause, Medford; Sam Keim, Eagle Point; Clarence Harrison,
Central Point; Mrs. JohCShama and Mrs. Kenneth Oswald, Medford, and Ray Benard, Central Point.
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The Tom Greys of Gold Hill both ride with the square dance team, 'and here
Mr. Grey adjusts his wife's ruffled skirt. Mr. Grey calls his horse Smokey, and
Mrs. Grey's sleek black mount is Michael.
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v P(at Murphy (at left caller for the Trail Riders'
team,( uses a powerful loud speaker in order to
insure that the riders will hear his commands.
Clarence Hanscorrf, president of the group, helps
with the record player, operated by a small
gasoline motor.
"Swing your partner" isn't quite as easy from horseback as it is in ordinary square dancing,
but Sam Keim and Mrs. John Shama execute the step here wtih ease. The riders practice twice
each week during the early part of the summer, have been invited to perform this year at
ncalla, at the Phoenix festival in mid-June and at other events.
Flag bearers for the dance team are Miss Jean Estremado (at left) and her sister, Mrs. Robert
Jacks, both Gold Hill. The Estremados all learn to ride when very young and are skillful; it
is routine for them to ride after the cattle in the hills during the day, hurry home, load the
horses into a big truck and drive to Central Point or Medford for team practice.
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Six-year-old Kenny Foley, who has been riding since he was four, accompanies
his parents, the Stanley Foleys of Gold Hill, to Trail Rider gatherings. Kenny,
who rides a Shetland pony he calls Frisky, scrambled up into the big truck when
it arrived at the grounds and unloaded the pony without help.
Brightly striped serapes are part of the trappings of the horses
which are used as flag-bearers, and Mrs. Robert Jacks makes sure
the fold is just right and the ends hanging evenly. q
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Women riders of the dance team, who wear ths swirling dance skirts over their
riding trousers, present an amusing sight when getting into the saddle. Here
Clarence Harrison holds Mrs. Kenneth Oswald's horse while she mounts. The
' horses appear indifferent to the yards of ruffles.
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