The Silver Spurs Quadrille team elegantly ushered in the new year as they brought Osceola County’s rich heritage to the streets of Pasadena in the 2024 Rose Parade.
Quadrille Marshal Ashley Fluke expressed the team’s pride, saying, “We are honored to have left our hoof prints in Pasadena as we represented Osceola County’s rich heritage in the Rose Parade. This team saddled up for the ride of a lifetime and definitely brought something unique to this quintessential New Year’s Day event.”
The team consisted of eighteen riders and their horses: Bear Kempfer & Sheila Kataif, Clifton Chapman & Summer Booth, Ricky Booth & Ashley Fluke, Chad Garmany & Laci Langford, Steve & Kaye Whaley, John Partin & Julie Soileau, Randy Booth & Amanda Yontz, Wade Kempfer & Natalie Booth, and Derrick Whaley & Courtney Kempfer. They were accompanied by Quadrille Caller Heath White, guiding the team’s precision square dance from behind.
The Silver Spurs Quadrille, a demonstration of typically sixteen horses and their skilled riders in a coordinated ‘square dance,’ was one of the highlights among groups showcasing equestrian skills in the parade.
Ashley Fluke proudly shared with Positively Osceola that her family’s legacy with the quadrille team dates back to its founding in 1941, as her grandparents were among the original members. Continuing this rich tradition, her mother, Martha Booth, along with five other dedicated women, crafted new costumes. These outfits were inspired by vintage fringe shirts from the team’s early years, blending historical style with modern flair.
While on the west coast, the team also has an opportunity to participate in EquestFest on December 29, where the Rose Parade’s equestrian units showcased their talent.
The New Year’s Day parade, now in its 135th year, set the stage for the 110th Rose Bowl game, where Michigan and Alabama clashed in the college football playoffs semifinal. The Silver Spurs Quadrille team, comprising 16 riders and horses, stood out among 18 national equestrian teams chosen to participate in this prestigious Pasadena event.
This opportunity arose when board member Kaye Whaley proposed the idea to the riding club. The application was submitted, and by late summer, the team received the exhilarating news of their acceptance into the Rose Parade and that they would be heading out to Pasadena.
This ‘trip of a lifetime’ was made possible in part by a generous $50,000 sponsorship from Experience Kissimmee, support by the Silver Spurs Riding Club, and local donors, which helped offset the team’s travel expenses.
Photo Source: Silver Spurs Quadrille
