EhCapa Bareback Riders

Join young, talented riders as they take the audience on a breathtaking journey through maneuvers and jumps that even few experienced riders can handle all without the aid of saddles or bridles.

The EhCapa riders, ages 8 through 19, develop a unique relationship with their horses based on sound horsemanship principles. They control their mounts with leg cues, their voices, and a one-inch wide leather strap around the horse’s neck known as a “tack rein”. EhCapa believes that when youngsters learn to build trust in the horses they love, the results can be remarkable. The program emphasizes commitment, patience with self, consistent practice, active team participation and mentoring others.

The EhCapa Bareback Riders were created in 1956 as an inexpensive way for children to ride and enjoy their horses. The horses are of every shape, color, and breed, with no specific qualification except that they are trained and loved by the children who ride them. The group consists of 40-50 motivated young people.

The routine varies from season to season, but always includes an exercise at “Liberty” (a special drill during which the “tack rein” is removed), pinwheels of various dimensions, and a show stopping display of jumping – in pairs, in small groups and up to sixteen abreast – that thrills the audience!

As the club’s style of riding is reminiscent of Native Americans, the name Apache was selected to be spelled in reverse, thus the name EhCapa. The organization rides in the hope of bringing honor to Native Americans, from their beautiful handmade clothing to the traditional native symbols painted on the horses. EhCapa is a non-profit charitable organization and is funded through performing at horse-related events, sponsors and fund-raising.