Roundup Riders of the Rockies

From TinWiki.org

The Roundup Riders of the Rockies, or 3R, as they call themselves, organizes an annual horseback ride in the Colorado mountains each year.

"How better can we advertise the tourist attractions of Colorado than by organizing a horseback ride through the forest near tourist centers." Joe Dekker, from Tally Book 1971. Roundup Riders of the Rockies p.98

Origin

The Roundup Riders was started by Joe Dekker and Frank Ricketson Jr. They came up with the idea of a mountain trail ride each summer while on their return flight to Denver from the 1948 RV ride. For 60 years, the group has ridden 100 miles each July through the Colorado Mountains. The route changes each year to visit different sections of Colorado. Their camps are transported by a group of 20 camphands who set it up ahead of the riders, including ammenities like portable toilets, showers, and diesel generators. Caterers provide breakfasts and dinners. The group also has a variety of music and entertainment each night. The 3R provides for trail improvments in the backcountry and sponsers scholarships for agricultural students as well as awarding the Citizen of the West award each year.

Other Riders

There are other horse-ride groups, ultimately inspired by the Rancheros visitadores, a direct spin-off of the Bohemian Club. These include the Desert Caballeros in Arizona and the Verde Vaqueros, also in Arizona. These groups are not thought to have many connections to the Bohemian Club or even, some have remarked, be aware of their ultimately stemming from them.