I noticed them riding in formation. A precision riding team. I was fascinated with their riding skills, so I rode my old gelding horse named Highball right in among the lot of them and followed what they were doing.
  Their leader watched me with an eye of interest, and he had a slight smile on his face. Me and old Highball did all the things they were doing and we had a great time keeping up with the troupe.  I was bareback, and wore a dirty torn tee shirt, bare feet and jeans. I don't know who looked the more ragged, me or old Highball with a scrubby looking bridal! 
  They all had pretty fancy tack on their horses. I must admit me being just seven years out of Alliquippa Pennsylvania and a real greenhorn I was the most un-presentable looking cowboy you ever laid eyes upon, but I loved this part of the country and I knew I could ride with the best of them. Alliquippa by the way was a steel town just 35 miles up the Ohio river from Pittsburgh. The same area  Joe Namath and diva Madonna are from.
  After we were finished riding for the evening  I started to leave the arena when this big feller rode over to me on his palomino and asked if I would like to join the riding club. I was real surprised that he didn't run me off to where I had come from, but he was persistent that I join. I felt honored that he showed me this kindness and right away I said yes I would!
  They soon had a fine initiation party for me at one of the local ranches on Fanita Drive. The initiation for me included some hazing when suddenly they grabbed both my feet and swished  me through a puddle of water poured on the bench seat while I wasn't looking. I was glad they were laughing and not serious. I managed to laugh along with them. We had a great time.
  The leader and I got along fine He even made me a lariat for trick roping. I practiced with that rope until I got dizzy spinning rope, jumping in and out. We roped everything in site, anybody's feet, goats, the dogs, the fence post's, the girls or anything else that moved.
  Later on I heard tell our leader went to the members that first evening I interloped on them. He told them he was going to invite me into the club. They said "if he joins we quit." He flat explained to them "if he doesn't join I quit!" They unanimously voted me in.
  Not long after that my dad won a beautiful 15 month old  strawberry roan stallion from one of the local ranch hands in a dice game.....(another story). Red was a fine horse and much faster than old Highball. His tail was so long it dragged the ground and he was the most beautiful animal I ever laid eyes on. He was a proud addition to the club.
  We were scheduled to ride in the first Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon in 1947. Our Club was called the

Casper Rancho Riders sponsored partly by our leaders old friend Bill Casper, a W.W.I fighter pilot and western artist, who was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Bill owned Casper's Ranch Club on the corner of Magnolia and Bradley avenues. The old Pinnacle Peak Restaurant.
  Our leader and friend was non other than the world famous Western Artist Olaf Wieghorst. His leadership and bold character has always been an inspiration to me. He taught me to always think of the little guy who may be in his bare feet with nothing but jeans and  a dirty tee shirt. Thank you Olaf for a fine lesson in character I shall never forget.

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