Labor Day Equestrian Events at the Rose Bowl, 1933-1934

In their silver parade regalia:
Thunder, Merle Hartley Little, and Patch, early 1930s

The photo collection from the estate of Monrovia/Duarte horse rancher Merle Little is a gift that never stops giving. Many photos in the collection show us the importance of equestrian activities as a "draw" to get people to attend large public events.

Merle was part of an Orange County riding group called the El Rodeo Club, and a member of the Los Angeles and Monrovia Sheriff's Posses; he headed up equestrian activities for local festivals in Monrovia and Duarte for many years. 

Since I'm writing this on Labor Day, I thought it would be interesting to share a couple of images of equestrian Labor Day events at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena during the Great Depression. It almost goes without saying that many people were out of work during the Depression, and employment and workers' rights were on many people's minds back then. 

The 1933 event, billed as an "Oklahoma Stampede and Wild West Rodeo" combined with "Thrills of the Air." It must have been something to see. Motion picture flying stunt men and National Guard airmen above, and horses and riders below. The event was staged in cooperation with the Los Angeles Central Labor Council and Pasadena Labor Council; it benefited the Mt. Sinai Home for Chronic Invalids in Boyle Heights. 35,000 people attended.

Los Angeles Times, 5 September 1933

 

Edna May and Merle Little rode their Pinto horses at the 1933 Stampede and Rodeo. In this photo, Merle, on the right, is carrying the banner of the El Rodeo Club. Edna May appears to be riding Thunder, and Merle, Patch.

The 1934 Labor Day rodeo and wild west show at the Rose Bowl was sponsored by the California State Federation of Labor. It featured some of the top rodeo riders in the country.  Proceeds from the 1934 rodeo benefitted the annual convention of the Federation, held later the same month. 

Los Angeles Daily News, 6 August 1934

Los Angeles Evening News-Record, 29 August 1934

It was attended by several members of Hollywood's elite, according to the Los Angeles Evening Post-Record:

Los Angeles Evening News-Record, 29 August 1934

Edna May and Merle, fourth and fifth from left, posed along with other riders at the 1934 event. Merle is riding the tall Pinto Thunder; Edna May appears to be riding another Pinto, called Lightning, whose markings are different than Patch's (above).

A reported 7,000 people marched in a parade alongside several floats at this event.

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Here's a link to information on the Mt. Sinai Home for Chronic Invalids, at USC's invaluable Scalar site: https://scalar.usc.edu/hc/jewish-histories-boyle-heights/mt-sinai-hospital-and-clinic-bikur-cholim-society