Rainbow Riders and Their Horses Thrill Local Audiences
By Teri Merry

The Rainbow Riders perform at Lakeside. Photo by Darrel Kinney

If you haven't seen them, you need to do so.

Ramona's award-winning Rainbow Riders Drill Team is an all women's professional equestrian drill team that performs all over Southern California. These talented women and their galloping horses set the arena ablaze to thrill audiences as they perform their intricate precision drill maneuvers choreographed to boot-stompin' music.

Equestrian drill team members create a "dance" with their horses, while using an arena as their dance floor.

They ride in unison to create flowing patterns and formations. But, there is nothing simple about the Rainbow Riders' "dance." Riders perform these patterns at galloping speed and depend on their team members to be in precisely the right place at the right time.

Dottie Pierce, president of the Rainbow Riders, says: "When everything works with the riders, and the horses working together, and the audience is cheering, it's just magic. It is very cool."

Dressed in flashy, beautiful rainbow-colored outfits and tack for both horse and rider, the team displays beauty, grace and agility during its drill, which uses eight to 14 horses.

Dottie Pierce has been involved in drill teams for over 30 years, getting her start at 11 years old with the Rhythm Riders in Poway. In 1986, her mother, the late Dee Miller, wanted to start her own team and the Rainbow Riders Drill Team was formed.

Dottie served as president and Dee as the chairwoman. The team now performs about 15 weekends a year with as many as 40 performances.

All of the money the team receives for performances goes toward expenses. Each of the riders volunteers time and training to practice and perform.

What keeps Dottie going after 30 years?

"It is an adrenalin rush. When you are galloping your horse in front of an excited, cheering crowd, while performing an awesome routine at speed, you just get pumped."

Dottie said the riders are not just great performers, but they also become good friends. They laugh, go on trail rides, and spend hours of non-stressful time on horseback. They even celebrate the end of summer by having a barbecue at Fiesta Island and taking the horses for a swim.

Drill teams typically have two ways to display their skills.

First, some teams focus on drill competitions. Teams are judged on how well they do certain elements in a drill, or a team may compete in freestyle competitions where the "dance" is created by the team. The competition teams focus on exact precision, which requires the drills to be completed at slower speeds.

Performance teams such as the Rainbow Riders, focus on performing in front of crowds at rodeos, benefits and other settings. This style of drill riding is done to excite and entertain the crowds. Thus, these routines are still precision-oriented, but very fast-paced and with a lot of high energy, galloping and flash.

In addition to horsemanship skills, these teams also become entertainers to wow the crowd with their feats. Dottie said the Rainbow Riders have been called "The Blue Angels on horseback."

If you ride a horse and this seems like fun, check it out. They will be having an unmounted, new member orientation on Tuesday, Sept. 4 for riders over 18 years old who are interested in riding with the team. All riding levels are invited to attend.

Open practice is September through February in Ramona. Starting in January, the team practices twice a week. This is a great opportunity for riders of all abilities to improve their riding skills and provides an opportunity to expand their horses' training.

Dottie guides new riders to learn the routines at a walk, then a trot, then up to whatever speed is safe for the horse/rider combination. Those who want to join the performance team can "audition" at the end of February. Selection is based on the horse/rider combination, number of slots open, and other factors.

All members, whether performing or not, are welcome to continue to practice to increase their skills throughout the year. Dues to join the club are $10 month.

If you have an opportunity, go watch these exciting cowgirls in action. Their next local performance will be at the Lakeside Bulls Only, July 20-21. The Rainbow Riders Web site, www.rainbowridersdrillteam.com, has a photo video, a calendar with its upcoming performances, and details about the new member orientation. For more information, call Dottie Pierce, at 760-788-4594 or e-mail at dpierce@rainbowridersdrillteam.com.