Westernaires, presenting the finest precision mounted drill at speed in the world, will return in 2021 for the 85th Marcus Community Fair and the Marcus Sesquicentennial on August 11 – 15. The Westernaires will present their Varsity Big Red Team, 37 riders in all, to delight the audience with their horsemanship and their daring precision. The speed with which they perform distinguishes the Varsity Big Red from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride, generally conceded to be the finest precision mounted drill anywhere. To further distinguish the Westernaires, all of the riders are teenagers from Jefferson County Colorado, juniors or seniors in high school.
Westernaires is a non-profit youth group, staffed entirely by volunteers. Composed of riders from 9 to 19, the organization has grown from the original 26 riders to more than 1000 today. Riders begin with simple riding instruction and gradually are promoted based upon the skills they have developed. Formed in 1949, they have appeared throughout the United States and Canada and since 1952 have been a regular feature of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in January each year, appearing in each of the rodeo performances. They were invited to present a special drill for President Clinton and the world leaders appearing at the Summit of the Eight when it was held in Denver. Simply, the Westernaires provides an opportunity for city kids to learn skills their forefathers had because of the rural atmosphere. It continues to build responsible young people who are preparing for the future, teaching discipline, hard work and responsibility.
The Westernaires will present an hour plus show 10:00 am Saturday August 14 and again in the evening at 7:00. They will feature the Freedom Riders, trick riders of unusual skill, the Red Romanaires, who will perform a drill Roman style and many other fast moving and special events to entertain and thrill.
No picture or description can adequately describe the thrill of seeing these performing riders, most of whom do not even own their own horse. They come from varied backgrounds and have been learning and honing skills since they were 9. After a pause in performances in 2020, during 2021 they will perform in multiple states and in various venues and are in great demand. Westernaires believes, however, that the Marcus experience which they enjoyed in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018 was truly special and they look forward to returning in 2021 because of the hospitality shown by the people of Marcus.