The Winchester Widows were founded in 1987, as a small group of parade riders who portrayed characters from the Wild West. Not necessarily widows themselves, but displaying a common theme of the 1800's as most women survived their hus-bands, the popular-ity of the group grew. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the club. It now consists of women from all walks of life, both on horseback and ground support. Currently the group rides in approximately six-teen parades a year all over Southern California including four appearances in the Rose Parade.
In an effort to represent the West as it really was,

these women ride in authentic outfits with no “modern amenities”. They carry Winchester rifles, "the gun that won the west" because the char-acters they rep-resent would have learned to fend for themselves in a tough region where there were more grave-markers than occupants.
The Widows ride horses of many breeds and colors. You will see them mounted on Peruvian Pasos, Palominos, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Fresians and a Mustang. There is even an 1800's style Meadowbrook cart that leads the group, pulled by a flashy Appaloosa.
In 1991, the Widows decided to adopt a philanthropy and to