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 Shrine Horsemen - Capital  
St. Paul , Minnesota - 
1997 Midwest Convention

• Founded 1947

• Article about moving to the State Fair Grounds 

• Membership  

• Stables

• Clubhouse

12th Annual "Show-deo"  1959

Zuhrah Temple Mounted Patrol
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Founded - 1947

Ideas for a Zuhrah Temple Mounted Patrol had been advanced for many years, but no concentrated effort was made until 1947.

Alvin L. Dretchko - 1947 Potentate of Zuhrah Temple, (known as the father of the Horsemen), was approached by Al Nelson, requesting approval to organize a riding club composed of Shriners of Zuhrah Temple. A.L. Dretchko, Potentate, and his Divan agreed that this would be a splendid idea to promote good fellowship among the Shriners.

March 1947, nineteen Shrines gathered together because of their mutual interest in horses and stated organizing a drill team. Approval for participating in Shrine activities was granted in April of that year. Their first public appearance was in the Aquatennial Parade of 1947.

The unit had grown so rapidly that as a result by the Spring of 1955 it was necessary for the group to move from their place in Golden Valley to larger quarters. It was at the suggestion of L.F. "Bud" Johnson, past Potentate of Zuhrah Temple, and board member of the Minnesota Masonic Home at Bloomington, that the Horsemen use the facilities of the Masonic Home Farm which overlooks the beautiful Minnesota River. As a result, the Horsemen are now (written 1972) housed with barns and clubhouse facilities in the finest home of any Mounted Unit in North America. This farm was the original home of Dan Patch – World Famous Pacer.

The unit is entirely self-supporting. Each rider must own his horse, uniforms, saddles and other equipment, and pay for the care of his mount. Each man must be physically fit to participate in the various strenuous riding requirements that have been established.

Under the direction of the military officers, great strides have been made in precision drills. A number of local and out of town appearances are scheduled annually. The unit has performed before groups throughout the United States and Canada, and paraded before countless thousands.

The successful operation of the mounted unit is attributed largely to the Auxiliary composed of the wives of the members, known as the Tally-Ho Club. It is the Tally-Ho Club members who are entirely responsible for the concessions at every annual "Showdeo."

Al Nelson and Lloyd Z. Bye  -  

Taken from a 1959 Program

"Zuhrah Shine Horsemen" had its beginning as a riding group back in March of 1947

Their first public appearance was at the July 1947 Aquatennial Parade. After this successful appearance the Horsemen decided to put on a Horse Show of their own and to call it a Showdeo. Past Potentate Earl W. Anderson was the Horseman President at that time, and he immediately went to work on the project and received permission from the Hennepin County Fair Board at Hopkins to use their facilities. After many weeks of perpetration the first Showdeo, under the direction of Captain Al Nelson, was held on Sunday afternoon September 9, 1948.

Up to this time the men had no stables or grounds of their own, so finally after many discussions and much planning the Golden Valley Riding Stables was purchased by the membership. Now with their own facilities they could put on their second Showdeo on their own grounds. This was accomplished on Sunday afternoon October 2, 1949. The audience was extremely appreciative, even though they had to stand around the corral fence and eat plenty of dust. The loyal wives of the men had by this time organized a group of their own, and called themselves "The Tally-Ho Club". This was their first attempt at having charge of the concessions, selling popcorn, hot-dogs, candy and pop.

The third Showdeo was also held at the Golden Valley Stables on September 17, 1950, but this time Pres. Earl Anderson managed the loan of bleachers from the Minneapolis Park Board, for the comfort of the spectators. After the huge success of this show plans were already under way to have the fourth show again at the Hopkins fair Grounds. The attendance was getting larger which necessitated bigger and better stable facilities for visiting exhibitors. However, the men had not counted on the weather, taking for granted they would have a perfect day for their show as they had had for the first three. So, for the fourth Showdeo on September 9^th 1951 it rained all day. Nevertheless, the Horsemen performed in the rain and mud, and the Tally-Ho ladies served soggy refreshments. The attendance was small but none the less most appreciative. They had to be horse lovers to put up with the bad weather.

After this experience the men decided something had to be done about obtaining different and better facilities. Again, Pres. Earl Anderson with the able assistance of Art Storm, and his connections with the State Fair Board, were able to rent the Hippodrome and Horse Barn at the State Fair Grounds for their fifth Showdeo on September 14, 1952. There again the Tally-Ho ladies operated the concessions with great success. From this Showdeo of September 1952 to the present date ( 1967) the Horsemen have made outstanding progress in their yearly presentation of shows at the State Fair Hippodrome, as have the Tally-Ho ladies with their concessions.

The three days of September 22, 23 and 24, 1967, we are honored to have the people of the Midwestern States help us celebrate our Twentieth Annual Shrine Showdeo and Rodeo.

Lloyd Z. Bye – Historian – Zuhrah Shrine Horsemen