SADDLES & SPURS “Out of the Shadows” gives each of the 75 Black trail riding clubs that make up the Bayou State and Northwest Louisiana Trail Riders Association--the LA Renegades, 318 Ghost Riders, Oakland Riders, Morning Star Steppers, Louisiana High Steppers, Road Warriors, and Pony Express--to name a few, a chance to s how off it’s own proud name, insignia, flag and other memorabilia. Adding to the excitement of the Opening Day for the entire family, will be four Western-style covered wagons out front on Texas Street, along with two of the friendly trail riding horses, Ms. Polly and Mr. Mikey.

Most trail rides are less than ten miles, and though they center around the horses and riders, often include a dizzying array of activities from barbecuing your best brisket to lively zydeco dancing with the likes of accordionist and singer Chris Ardoin or country western Swing to the sounds of a DJ.  Men, women and children who make up the Bayou State Trail Riding and Northwest Louisiana Trail Riding associations will attend the exhibition, including well-known “Trail Boss” Willie L. Davis.  Mr. Davis says, “It is important to continue the history of Trail Riders in Louisiana. I’ve been riding since I was five-years-old, but I don’t call myself a cowboy.  I’m a farmer and a cattleman. I trail ride for pleasure and to be sociable. I was raised on my grandfather’s farm. I used to ride my horse along the dirt roads to go to the neighbors. Trail riding is something we do together and to keep the family together,” adds Mr. Davis.

Johnetta Jackson is one of the women who rides the trails with the Bayou State Trail Riding Association and serves as the group’s secretary. Johnetta says that in addition to the music, food, and fun of trail riding, fundraising has long been one of the purposes for the association and its various clubs. “Bayou State started as an extended outing of leisure horseback riders traveling to Southern University Ag Center in Baton Rouge to raise awareness and scholarship dollars for students in the Southern University Ag program. The community-focused part of the organizations has grown to embrace youth and senior citizens, awarding scholarships, donating school supplies, funding weekly reader programs and helping sponsor community activities and provide for residents in rehab facilities,” said Jackson.