It's been three years since Gary Lake's longhorns hit the old dusty trail down 17th Street to kick off the National Western Stock Show. Lake, who's provided the parade's signature livestock for 17 years, was glad to be back. So were his steers.
"They really enjoy this downtown," he told us from beneath his black cowboy hat. "They like being around people, they handle easily. Longhorns are very, very intelligent animals, and so give 'em a chance and they'll do it right."
Cowboys drive longhorns under the Park Avenue bridge on their way into the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Gary and Marlene Lake, of Ellicott's Searle Ranch, have been brigning longhorns to the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade for more 17 years. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
And do it right, they did. Onlookers stretching the 11 blocks between Union Station and the Brown Palace hooted and hollered as they passed by, led onward by a collection of riders.
Some of the horses, however, had a little trouble getting started. While 17th Street was plowed clean, the backroads between their staging area in a Coors Field Parking lot and downtown were covered with ice. Zoe Wallerstedt watched carefully as her horse, Tari, stepped gingerly over the frozen pavement.
Zoe Wallerstedt rides Tari through some thick ice on the way to 17th Street and the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Carl (left) and Gibb wait to drive a coach across downtown in the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
"These horses are just trying to keep their feet under them," she said.
"They're so surefooted that they just know the way, we just trust them," Malinda McGuffin said atop her horse, Jazzie. "They're amazing."
Cowboys ride 17th Street during the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Aven Sibille and Marshmallow the horse prepare to ride in the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade for their first time ever. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
It was 13-year-old Aven Sibille's first time riding in the parade. She and her 13-year-old mount, Marshmallow, were all in.
"I'm excited. I'm really happy that I'm here," she told us. "You don't usually see horses in a city. They usually live out in the open, in the country, so I think that's special."
A dog and a human watch from the Oxford Hotel as horses pass by in the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Aubrey (center, 4) wave American flags as they watch the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
As everyone finished the route, Gary Lake watched proudly as his steers loaded themselves into a trailer.
"They did great," he said. "We started out with a crowd of about 2,500 people 17 years ago. Now, there's a hundred thousand on the streets. They love to see the longhorn."
Flag twirlers with Burlington middle and high schools do their thing as part of the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Abby Bartolotta andAnnie cheer as horses pass by in the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Steam rises from a manhole as cowgirls ride 17th Street in the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Jeaneette Cooper, with the National Western Center, waves at the crowd as she's driven down 17th Street as part of the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Inside the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant's fancy limo, in line for the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Searle Ranch longhorns make their way down 17th Street during the National Western Stock Show's annual kickoff parade. Jan. 5, 2023. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that it's been three years, not two, since the Searle Ranch longhorns hit the old dusty trail down 17th Street.
Kevin is a multimedia artist who flung himself into the world of journalism. He likes using a camera and microphone to tell stories about workers, the environment, social justice and fascinating humans.
