Thrilling
the west
since 1956
EhCapa Bareback Riders
EhCapa has been thrilling audiences with their exceptional and courageous riding skills at rodeos, horse shows, parades and various other venues for over 60 years. What started as a casual riding group for youth has become a renowned performance and specialty act that travels the PRCA rodeo circuit throughout the West.
Known for their horsemanship skills, professionalism and dedication to perfection, the approximately 30 riders excite audiences with their fast paced, eight to twenty minute display of exquisite bareback and bridle-less riding, loping though tightly timed and precise patterns, over jumps and, for some riders, without any rein whatsoever. All riders range in age from 8 to 19 and perform in full show costume lead by a drill instructor.
Whether you need a PRCA accredited specialty act to perform nightly at your rodeo or an exciting entertainment act to draw people to your event, EhCapa has you covered and never disappoints. Audiences consistently and repeatedly rave about the performances and some even retain the club on an ongoing basis. The club has performed at rodeos small and large throughout the country including: Cheyenne Frontier Days, Rodeo Salinas, the 4th of July rodeo in Cody, Wyoming, and the Snake River Stampede.
“I learned valuable horse and life skills and am convinced that it is because of EhCapa I was able to win Miss Rodeo America.”
— EhCapa alumna, Shelly Williams, Miss Rodeo America 1999
Ehcapa bareback riders
PO Box 744 Nampa ID 83653
Email Address
Let Us Thrill You
2024 Performance Schedule
April 5, 2024
Idaho Horse Expo
MAY 18, 2024
Nampa Parade America
June 22, 2024
June 28 & 29, 2024
Treasure Valley Lions Rodeo
JULY18, 2024
Snake River Stampede
July 27, 2024
Friends and Family
Brandi’s Arena - Nampa Idaho
august 17- 18, 2024
Weippe, Idaho
august 30 - 31, 2024
Kuna Rodeo
https://www.kunastampede.com/
Book an Event
For information regarding booking the EhCapa Bareback Riders for a public event, rodeo or other appearance, please contact our Performance Coordinator:
Kaycee @ 208-859-2407 / ehcapabarebackriders@aol.com.
Developing the Ultimate Bond Between Horse and Rider
About EhCapa
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 and the horse, consistent practice, active team participation and mentoring others.
The team was created in 1956 as an inexpensive way for children to ride and enjoy their horses. EhCapa is a family-oriented horseback riding club for boys and girls, and has performed all over the West, including Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, and even as far as Ohio. Most riders average six years with EhCapa.
We have a 25-plus year history with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association). 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 30-40 motivated young people with about 25 riders traveling to performances.
With each performance, young, talented riders take the audience on a breathtaking journey through maneuvers and jumps that few experienced riders can handle… all without the aid of saddles or bridles.
The routine varies from season to season but always includes precision riding, pinwheels of various dimensions, and a show stopping display of jumping - in pairs, in small groups, and up to sixteen abreast. Occasionally, the drill includes an exercise at Liberty; maneuvers in which the “tack rein” is removed and the rider controls the horse with only leg and voice cues.
Gallery
Performances
Jump Team
Mamas and Papas
Ride With Us
No Saddle, No Bridle, No Problem
THE DETAILS
WHO CAN JOIN?
If you or your child are between the ages of 8 and 19, we would love to have you join our group. Members come from throughout the Treasure Valley and meet the following requirements:
1. Love horses
2. Willing to learn and be part of a group
3. Enjoy making new friendships and travel
We are a family organization so we do expect parents, guardians, and/or grandparents to be an active part of the group. Membership is by family rather than individual rider.
We would be happy to discuss joining our team at anytime. Our New Member Orientation is held in February for new riders and families to learn about the organization.
If you want to see what we are all about, feel free to observe a practice. Contact us at ehcapabarebackriders@aol.com anytime throughout the year for more information.
PRACTICES
Weekly practices start in March and are held on either Friday or Saturday through May. In June, we move to bi-weekly practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These practices are held in the Nampa area.
Idaho LIfe: No Cinch Needed
KTVB’s news story to learn more about EhCapa Life
HORSES & RIDERS
SKILL LEVEL
Every rider of every skill level is welcome, even if you have never been on a horse before. Riders are provided riding instruction and work up to the level of joining the parade team, then the performance team. Once on the performance team, riders can challenge themselves to earn a lead position in the drill, a spot on the jump and/or liberty teams or even compete for a royalty title. Regardless of skill level, every rider gets a chance to ride with the club in at least one event during the year.
HORSES
Each rider needs his/her own horse and transportation for the horse. The horse can be owned, borrowed, or leased and needs to be well trained, safe riding in a group (no kicking or biting!) and calm around a variety of sensory experiences such as crowds, banners and loud speakers.
Any breed will do but the horse must be at least 13 hands (52 inches) tall for safety. The horse and rider will learn how to properly use a tack rein in the spring practices and must be able to safely navigate the drill without a bridle,
halter or bareback pad prior acceptance
If you are in the market to purchase
or lease a horse, it is always best to
check with the Drill Instructors for
verification prior to entering an
agreement. A horse may be
advertised as an “EhCapa Horse” or
“EhCapa Trained” without actual
experience in the club.
COSTS
The membership fee is $300 per family, regardless of the number of kids. The uniform cost is approximately $300 each. Uniforms typically last a few years, depending on how fast the child grows. Travel and horse care costs are the responsibility of the members. Participation in PRCA rodeos is optional and requires an additional $300 for PRCA Card membership.
EhCapa Royalty
While the word ‘royalty’ is often associated with an elitist, EhCapa royalty exists to serve the needs of the club. This service takes the form of representation to the public, mentorship of the other club members, and also exhibiting masterful horsemanship, speech, interview, and modeling skills. EhCapa is truly proud to be represented by our royalty.
2023 & 2024 Queen
Elliott Antoniuk & Indy
Elliott Antoniuk is EhCapa's 2023 & 2024 Queen. She is excited to ride in EhCapa for her 6th season on her sassy blue roan paint mare Indy. Elliott loves spending her summers traveling with her EhCapa family. Outside of EhCapa Elliott attends Sage International School of Boise as an 11th grader in the international baccalaureate diploma program. When she isn’t riding her horse, Elliott enjoys dancing classical ballet; painting, drawing, sewing and hanging out with friends. Elliott looks forward to representing EhCapa and the sport of rodeo as the 2024 EhCapa Queen.
2024 Princess
Anna Anderson & Mercy
At just 15, she's already making waves at Timberline High School as a dedicated Sophomore. But her passion truly shines in the saddle, where she and her beloved horse Mercy, a 13-year-old bay Mustang Mare, have been tearing up the EhCapa scene for 2 years! From parades to PRCA events, jumps to liberty team feats, Anna and Mercy are an unstoppable duo. When she's not riding, Anna can be found expressing her creativity through painting or making a splash in the pool. With dreams of becoming a large animal veterinarian, there's no doubt Anna's future is as bright as her smile. And now, she proudly wears the crown as the 2024 EhCapa Princess!
2023 Princess
2023 LEAD sCOUT
Jayden McFarland & Maverick
2023 MINI PRINCESS
Sidney Bobo & Snug
Dani Wilcox & Revlin
2022 queen
Ellie Horsley & Buddy
2022 Princess
Emma Parkinson & Blu
2021 Princess
Olivia Wilcox & Roxy
2021 lead scout
Jake Risch & Chief
2020 & 2021 Queen
Courtney Marshall & Whisper
2021 mini princess
Addy Vineyard & Bella
2020
Queen - COurtney Marshall & Whisper
Princess- Aivry Bobo & Sister
MINI PRINCESS - Brynlee McFarland & Turbo
LEAD SCOUT - Kelton Maxfield & Blu
2019
Queen - Aubry
PRINCESS - Kaylina
MINI PRINCESS - Dani
HONNORED BRAVE - Kelton
2018
Queen - Sarah Hooper & Wally
PRINCESS - Sarah Miraya & Prince
MINI PRINCESS - Aivry Bobo & Sister
2017
Queen - Jordan Diehl & Boone
PRINCESS- Courtney Marshall & Whisper
2016
QUEEN - Aiyana Price & Bird
PRINCESS - Aubry Hillman & Revlin
MINI PRINCESS - Olivia Wilcox & Elena
Honored Brave - Wyatt Hatch
DONATE TO EHCAPA
Why donate?
- Your tax-deductible donation will help offset club expenses, enabling youth from all backgrounds to participate in the EhCapa experience and learn how to build a bond with their horses. 100% of the money is spent on the organizational costs to provide opportunities and education for kids.
- EhCapa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Our nonprofit and tax deductible status can be verified online at https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ by searching under EIN 82-0371736.
Where do your Donations go?
- Education, Scholarships, Travel Expenses, Arena costs, Club Shirts, PRCA Cards, and much More
How to donate?
- Paypal: paypal.me/ehcapa
- Venmo: @ehcapabarebackriders
- send a check to P.O. Box 744, Nampa, ID 83653
*Receipts are available upon request*
SPONSORSHIPS
EhCapa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Your sponsorship is fully tax deductable
Platinum - $5000
- Your logo on a sponsor horse serape (6"x6")
- Your Logo on club shirts and hoodies
- Space on Website
- Recognition on all social media platforms 3x per month
- Announced at local performing events
- Your company flyer at our booth
Gold - $4000
- Your logo on a sponsor horse serape (4"x4")
- Your Logo on club shirts and hoodies
- Space on Website
- Recognition on all social media platforms once per month
Silver - $2500
- Your business name on a sponsor horse serape
- Space on Website
- Recognition on all social media platforms once per month
Bronze - $1500
- Your business name on a sponsor horse serape
- Space on Website
Friends & Family - Under $1500
- Honorable Mention on Website
Join the Ehcapa Sponsor Family!
