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Voting yea for neigh
  
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People get an early look at the horses set to prance through the Rose Parade on Thursday.
By Jeremy Oberstein
Hundreds of equine enthusiasts got an early look Sunday at the 2009 team of horses set to march in January’s Tournament of Roses Parade.
Equestfest, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, allowed many to catch a sneak peek of the horse teams slated to march down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day during the annual parade.
“This is great for him,” Giovanni Arevalo said of his 17-month-old son.
While his son stared at the Long Beach Mounted Police squad, sitting atop Grand palomino horses, Arevalo, 28, also reveled at the chance to see the fanciful assortment of equines for himself. The Bakersfield resident trains horses professionally but does not usually get the chance to watch palominos, Spanish Andalusians and other breeds in such a fashion.
“It’s very pretty,” he said. “I came here to enjoy myself.”
Eighteen units performed Sunday, walking the track inside the Equestrian Center while hundreds in the stand cheered, oohed and aahed at the creative mix of horses selected to perform in the Rose Parade.
Among them was a team of six miniature donkeys hitched to a wagon designed specifically for their small frame. Each donkey was outfitted with a handmade harness adorned with 350 brass spots and additional brass trim. The squad will make its Tournament of Roses debut next week.
“I think they’re really cute,” said Lynne Jackson, a Sacramento resident in town to visit her parents. Jackson owns horses, giving her a greater appreciation for all types of equines — even donkeys that are less than 3 feet tall, she said.
“Nothing surprises me anymore,” Jackson said of the miniature animals. “I think they’re really cool.”
Others got a close look at the California State Firefighters Assn.’s five old-fashioned fire engines, including a 1902 fully restored horse-drawn car with firedog Blaze riding shotgun.
“Women and kids love the dog, and men love the machinery,” said George Toussaint, a retired firefighter who helps run the “Steamer Team” squad of restored engines.
Toussaint’s team also included a fully restored 1899 Allan Hose Wagon, a 1900 Fire Chief’s Buggy, 1901 American La France Chemical Wagon and a 1905 Seagrave Hook & Ladder.
The team performs each year in the annual Pasadena procession — led by five white Percheron horses and three of the Halflinger breed — and at up to 60 other events around California, parading their antique vehicles at county fairs, small-town shows and other outings, he said.
The Broken Horn Ropers, a multigenerational team of trick ropers atop three horse breeds — American quarter horses, American painter horses and palominos — also performed Sunday, as did the Martinez family, who are set to ride their 29th consecutive Rose Parade.
Many cheered as the horses galloped around the arena, though some wondered about the pull the equines had on the gathered crowd.
“It’s difficult to believe that so many people come out for this,” said Rustom Khandalavala, 38, from London. “But it’s a good excuse to get out and enjoy yourself.”
JEREMY OBERSTEIN covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at jeremy.oberstein@latimes. com.
Equestfest, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, allowed many to catch a sneak peek of the horse teams slated to march down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day during the annual parade.
“This is great for him,” Giovanni Arevalo said of his 17-month-old son.
While his son stared at the Long Beach Mounted Police squad, sitting atop Grand palomino horses, Arevalo, 28, also reveled at the chance to see the fanciful assortment of equines for himself. The Bakersfield resident trains horses professionally but does not usually get the chance to watch palominos, Spanish Andalusians and other breeds in such a fashion.
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Eighteen units performed Sunday, walking the track inside the Equestrian Center while hundreds in the stand cheered, oohed and aahed at the creative mix of horses selected to perform in the Rose Parade.
Among them was a team of six miniature donkeys hitched to a wagon designed specifically for their small frame. Each donkey was outfitted with a handmade harness adorned with 350 brass spots and additional brass trim. The squad will make its Tournament of Roses debut next week.
“I think they’re really cute,” said Lynne Jackson, a Sacramento resident in town to visit her parents. Jackson owns horses, giving her a greater appreciation for all types of equines — even donkeys that are less than 3 feet tall, she said.
“Nothing surprises me anymore,” Jackson said of the miniature animals. “I think they’re really cool.”
Others got a close look at the California State Firefighters Assn.’s five old-fashioned fire engines, including a 1902 fully restored horse-drawn car with firedog Blaze riding shotgun.
“Women and kids love the dog, and men love the machinery,” said George Toussaint, a retired firefighter who helps run the “Steamer Team” squad of restored engines.
Toussaint’s team also included a fully restored 1899 Allan Hose Wagon, a 1900 Fire Chief’s Buggy, 1901 American La France Chemical Wagon and a 1905 Seagrave Hook & Ladder.
The team performs each year in the annual Pasadena procession — led by five white Percheron horses and three of the Halflinger breed — and at up to 60 other events around California, parading their antique vehicles at county fairs, small-town shows and other outings, he said.
The Broken Horn Ropers, a multigenerational team of trick ropers atop three horse breeds — American quarter horses, American painter horses and palominos — also performed Sunday, as did the Martinez family, who are set to ride their 29th consecutive Rose Parade.
Many cheered as the horses galloped around the arena, though some wondered about the pull the equines had on the gathered crowd.
“It’s difficult to believe that so many people come out for this,” said Rustom Khandalavala, 38, from London. “But it’s a good excuse to get out and enjoy yourself.”
JEREMY OBERSTEIN covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at jeremy.oberstein@latimes. com.
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