Mike Radovich, on his retired thoroughbred Robin, age 18, rides around the barrels in the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Posse’s arena.
SNOHOMISH — Families will kick up the dust June 15 in the horse arena when the group’s “Dancing in the Dirt” dance takes place in the arena. Tickets for the dance are already sold out.
“We thought it was a good idea,” said Mike Radovich, who is a Captain in the Sheriff’s Posse. “There’s not a lot of dance places.”
There isn’t another dance scheduled at this time.
The group recently replaced the dirt in the arena with sand and upgraded the lights. Their next project is to replace the insulation.
“There are a lot of upgrades,” said Shaela Medley, who has been a member of the Posse for 18 years, about the organization’s facility.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Posse supports youth equestrian groups. Area 4-H clubs and the Washington State High School Equestrian Team, which has programs at Snohomish and Cedarcrest high schools, use the arena. Posse members ride at the arena at least once a week.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Posse is a nonprofit organization that has been around since 1957 with chapters throughout the state. The organization’s mission is to promote and preserve the history of equestrian culture in Snohomish County.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Posse has 10 riding members and four non-riding members, Medley, who was the first woman in the group, said.
In addition to riding weekly, Medley said the group rode in parades in Snohomish and Monroe and the Ellensburg Rodeo.
Radovich has been a member of the Posse for 58 years. At one point, the group helped the sheriff’s office with search and rescue efforts, he said.
The posse celebrated Radovich’s birthday as a get-together, complete with cake.
Radovich was riding Robin, an 18-year-old thoroughbred, during a recent meeting He likes the friendly atmosphere members provide.
“They’re all good people. Most horse people are good people,” Radovich said.
Anne Richter has been a member for two years.
“We like riding and we wanted someone to ride locally with,” said Richter, who had moved from Carnation. “It’s just a good group of people.”
Snohomish resident Kacie Ollom said the Posse helped her confidence riding horses. She said she’s been riding her entire life in back country situations.
“I was actually terrified of doing anything faster than a walk,” Ollom, who has been a member for the past year and a half, said. She was riding Honeybee, who is an 8-year-old quarter horse. She has also learned to carry a flag while riding. She carried the police blue-line flag during the Methow Valley Rodeo.
“They’re just so encouraging,” Ollom said.
To join the Posse, contact them through their Facebook page.
