Dr.
J. P. Richardson founded the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse with five other prominent members
in 1939. Richardson (father of Rodeo Princess Dorothy Vaughan and grandfather
of Queen Heidi Vaughan) had admired
World War II pushed the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse into prominence. Posse men began service as a mounted search and rescue unit during the war. More importantly, as John Ludtka writes in his book The Tradition Lives On, it was the Posse that kept the rodeo tradition alive when governmental fuel rationing edicts forbade rodeo performances during the years 1942, ’43, and ’44. In 1943, the Rodeo Board turned to the Posse to help organize a “horse show” as a “USO Benefit” for airmen and soldiers stationed in or near Ellensburg. The result was a ‘rodeo without roughstock’—a 26-event show featuring trick riders, horse races, mounted drill teams, and even Army jeep rides up Craig’s Hill (for all who would purchase war bonds and stamps). When the war ended and the Ellensburg Rodeo returned, the Posse adapted their horse show format to create the “Posse Night Show,” an event which they stage to this day on Saturday evening of the Rodeo.
The Posse Night Show forms an important part of the Posse’ legacy
to the Ellensburg Rodeo. For six decades the Posse has ridden and
competed in the Night Show, the Rodeo Grand Entry and horserace, and helped to
conduct the Rodeo. The Posse sponsors and conducts the Junior Rodeo and two
open horse shows.
Moreover,
throughout the year the Posse serves as the Ellensburg Rodeo’s official
ambassadors in parades and rodeos-- ranging from Seafair to the Apple Blossom
and Lilac Festivals to the
The
two oldest living posse members today [in 1998] are Lo Driver (88 years-old)
and Rex Rice (86), both of whom have ridden with the Posse for over fifty
years. Driver once took a special invitation to Congressman Hal Holmes for him
to deliver to President Harry Truman, inviting him to the Ellensburg Rodeo. Lo
rode his horse from Ellensburg over the old Wenas Trail to the
Many of
today’s members joined because they had friends in the Posse; all joined
because they love riding horses. Claude Johnson and Larry Charlton were friends
of Doc Childress, who inspired them to join up. Willie Nesmith convinced Bernie
Schneider to join in 1985, and Schneider is currently Captain. Men between the
ages of 18 and 88 belong to the Posse. Several of the men have sons who join
when they reach Posse age. For instance, Willie Nesmith and all three of his
sons—Curt, Jeff, and Kraig—are Posse members. And Don “Doc” Childress and his
son Dana are in the Posse, as well as Maynard Linder and his son Myron.
Each
Friday night, just as in the old days, the Posse holds its weekly drill at the
rodeo grounds. They practice their drill patterns as well as pole-bending, relay races, the
cliff race, barrel-racing and, of course, the 1950s old favorite, “cowboy
polo.” They also hold a business meeting. Saturday’s rodeo night show is still
“Posse Night,” where Ellensburg competes against their fellow Posse riders from
across the state in the above events. Each different posse team will compete in
an event round as a tag team; the lowest combined team time wins the event. The
drill competition requires precision horsemanship and a great deal of
practices. Current Drillmaster George Hellesson plans the drills with retired
professional trickrider Oscar Berger. Synchronizing that many horses into
figure-eights and ‘threading the needle’ is no small feat.
The
Ellensburg Rodeo Posse is a cornerstone of the Ellensburg Rodeo’s history and
traditions. The Posse is a great way for men who love horses and people to
represent