The History that has Shaped Us
WASHINGTON HORSEMEN, TACOMA UNIT #1
In The Beginning -‐-‐-‐
Forward:
I am not going to guarantee that this little history in accurate in all details. There are probably some instances of the wrong people, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But on the whole, it is a pretty accurate account of the early beginnings of the Tacoma Unit #1.
Margaret McMaken Collaborated with Ted McMaken, Martha Palin, Grace and Larry Kirkwood
WASHINGTON HORSEMEN, TACOMA UNIT #1
In The Beginning -‐-‐-‐
It could well be that we can thank the U. S. Government, in part at least, for the beginning of the Washington State Horsemen. In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, the government found that they had a shortage of really good horses for the cavalry; so it was decided to lease out hundreds of purebred stallions, mainly Thoroughbreds and Arabians, to the local farmers to breed to their mares and improve the quality of the horses available.
There was such a surplus after the government had purchased what they needed that good horses—show horses, were for the first time cheap enough for the average working man to buy. This called for stabling, training and boarding – so the training stables flourished.
In 1944, some of these trainers realized that in order to keep things going, they had to have planned activity for the horses they were training and that some kind of rules and regulations were needed to govern them. As a result, a meeting was called to be held at the J. Grady Gay Stables in Seattle. At this meeting were:
After the meeting in Seattle, Art was most anxious to get something started in Tacoma. He got together with other well known horse lovers in the area and a meeting was held at the home of Sid and Nellie Hayes. At that time, they were breeding and raising some of the finest Morgan horses in these parts. The great Morgan stallion, Sunshine R, was one that later became Kent Erickson’s Posse horse. Nimbo and Suzie, serving Grace Kirkwood and Margaret McMaken so well in the Lariettes and winning so many pairs classes, were from the Hayes Ranch.
I won’t try to name all the people who attended that meeting, as there is some argument about just who was there and whether or not that meeting, or the first one at the V.F.W. Hall determined the charter members. If it was the Hayes meeting, Jean Caddigan was the only female charter member. Nellie wasn’t home that night. Anyway, that is when and where the club originated in the mid 1940’s. The name, Tacoma Unit #1, was due to the fact that it was the first club organized in Washington State Horsemen. From the humble beginning, our club has grown to be the largest and most affluent one in the State as of now.
If the club were to keep going, several members – Jack Caddigan, Sid Hayes, Glenn Betts and Paul Buck, realized that it was necessary to have a permanent home. Each pledged $50 and several others pledged smaller amounts to go toward the purchase of a piece of property of their own.
While waiting for suitable property, the club rented the V.F.W. Hall in South Tacoma for one night a month. The first meeting was held in May 1945. Jack Frances was elected the first President and served until the end of the year. At that first meeting, the door prize, which was a leather halter, went to Kent Erickson who, at that time, didn’t even own a horse.
In 1946, Fred Cole was elected President, and it was during his term that the first play day was held at Jack Holroyd’s gravel pit. Believe it or not, Kelly Kettlebaum had to give most of us lessons on changing leads with our horses. Most of us had never heard of such a thing. We had to drive stakes in the ground for pole bending races, but a great time was had by all. It was for this play day that we purchased our first cooking equipment, a huge stainless steel pot in which we cooked beef stew, chili and chowder for everybody.
In late 1947 when George Prescott was president, Paul Buck offered us a deal we couldn’t refuse; a portion of a large section of property he owned that bordered on Bridgeport Way. If we would buy five acres for $500, he would donate an additional five acres. Paul had a stable of Standardbred trotting horses, complete with a large barn and race track. Our own Jerry Buck drove for his father and was the youngest licensed driver on the circuit. He did a good job too.
It was really great when we finally owned our own property. In 1948, Larry Kirkwood, then President, was a building contractor. He furnished the material to put up the framework for our first clubhouse. I am not sure how the floor got poured, but I suspect the Holroyd’s had something to do with it. Del Wright and Joe Baker built the chimney.
After the framing and roofing was done, everyone pitched in to do what they could. They furnished labor, money, equipment and anything else they could to get the building livable. It was from this that we got our first Lifetime member; a fact that most have forgotten. He was a non-‐horsemen who worked with Larry.
On his own, he sheet rocked and finished all the walls and ceiling of the clubhouse. We awarded Paul Mills a Lifetime membership. Later, all members of the Paul Buck family were made Lifetime members because of the generous gift of the five acres of land. That land is now worth thousands of dollars with all kinds of business buildings and industry on it.
At our first real get together at our new clubhouse, every member brought at least one fence post. Amerigo Centoni brought his posthole digger, and just like that, we had a fence around the future arena.
About this time, I took over from Marge Betts as Secretary/Treasurer. She turned over to me, not only the secretary’s minutes, but also three paper cups with the tops caved in. One was marked “general fund,’ one the “building fund,” and the third “petty cash.” In the general fund was $73.20, building fund $13.84, and petty cash $1.92.
It was at this time also that the Lariettes and Posse were formed. The Lariettes started out to be an auxiliary of the Posse. Most, if not all of the charter members, were wives of the Posse members. Although many of these men and women were Tacoma Unit #1 members, it was not until 1963, when we moved into our building on 176th Street, that we were 100% members. They drilled at Woodbrook Arena in the winter months and at the Tacoma Unit arena during the summertime. The completion of the clubhouse and grounds took us through Larry Kirkwood’s first term as president, as well as through Bill Goodwin’s year at the helm.
In 1950, Dick Yost was elected president, and he turn out to be quite an organizer. The Colts and Fillies were formed into a club of their own, sponsored by the parent club. They had their own officers, treasury, senior advisor and representative to the senior meetings. The juniors chose the name of their club and also their colors of red, white and blue. They held a horse show that year where the juniors produced the show; did their own judging of classes, etc., with the advice of senior members. They formed a drill team and also had a square dance on horseback.
Dick started the Nag Sheet publication, which was used to advertise whatever a member had for sale, or wanted to buy, as well as general club news. However, under the editorship of Grace Kirkwood and Margaret McMaken later, it began to take on its present form.
Dick was also responsible for the organization of the W A D S (Women’s Activity Division) with Grace Kirkwood as the first chairwoman. This group was responsible for cooking, cleaning, entertaining and all the things that made the club function so well.
The Easter breakfasts became one of the highlights of the year. Many years followed when there were over a hundred horsemen gathered for Easter services on the prairie, with a sumptuous breakfast afterward. It was for these breakfasts that Ted McMaken and Nick Scinto made up the propane grill that we still use in our clubhouse to cook hamburgers.
During the wee, small, dark hours of a morning in the late 1950’s, many horsemen got a telephone call, “Woodbrook is burning! Bring your horse and any extra halters you may have to help round up the horses that were loose on the prairie.” Earl and Leona Craig had been awakened by a horse kicking, and they found the stables already in flames. We will always remember Earl’s bravery in seeing that every horse was loose, even though hot tar was dripping on his back. All horses were saved, except for two that ran back into the barn to the only safe place they knew -‐ -‐ their own stalls. Leona and Earl lost their business and their home. The Posse and Lariettes had no place to drill. Tacoma Unit members missed Woodbrook greatly because this was the place where they held many play days during the winter. Westbrook was finally rebuilt, complete with another covered arena.
The three day rides we have over Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day will always stand out as some of the greatest times we have ever enjoyed. Marvelous family affairs they were too. We had many organized rides in the mountains with large groups taking to the trails for unforgettable rides. We could ride from our club grounds on Bridgeport Way to Point Defiance with lots of open space in between.
During the winter months, we held many parties. Our Halloween parties were the envy of everyone who couldn’t attend. We came in costume and some of them would take prizes in any gathering. New Year’s dances brought us all together to greet the New Year.
After many years of good progress and multiple horse shows, our location got the best of us -‐ -‐ too crowded, too hard to get horse trailers into and out of the grounds, and too expensive. We had to look for a new home, so we sold our property on Bridgeport Way for $53,000, and bought property in Spanaway on 176th Street and 14th Avenue East. We paid $24,000 for this property, with a down payment of $37,500 on a metal building, which as completed in 1963, and is at our present location. This was done during Larry Kirkwood’s third term as President. At this time, the Pierce County Mounted Posse and the Tacoma Lariettes joined the Tacoma Unit #1 as 100% members. In return for this, they have all the privileges of the club, plus two days free rent during the year to produce shows, or do whatever they choose with the free use of the arena. They also have one day a week for each club to drill in the covered arena, as do the junior members; the Colts and Fillies.
Those of us who lived the experiences of the old club will always be a little sad that an era had to pass. During those years, the Tacoma Unit #1 held some of the finest horse shows in the state; organized statewide trail rides, and contributed greatly to the success of Washington State Horsemen.
We look back at all the man hours, money and equipment that went into making the club the success it has become and that none of us can forget the lasting friendships that were formed that money could not buy. We remember…
These names are just a few of the ones who gave so much of themselves to make Tacoma Unit #1 such an outstanding part of our lives.
Tacoma Unit #1 has grown by leaps and bounds, quite often with growing pains, since moving to our present grounds on 176th Street and 14th Avenue in Spanaway. We have progressed from a little club to one with over 300 family memberships. Any one of us who is a member should be extremely proud. But the years from 1963 to 1980 make up another story that, we hope, will be written by someone before too much more time elapses.
In The Beginning -‐-‐-‐
Forward:
I am not going to guarantee that this little history in accurate in all details. There are probably some instances of the wrong people, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But on the whole, it is a pretty accurate account of the early beginnings of the Tacoma Unit #1.
Margaret McMaken Collaborated with Ted McMaken, Martha Palin, Grace and Larry Kirkwood
WASHINGTON HORSEMEN, TACOMA UNIT #1
In The Beginning -‐-‐-‐
It could well be that we can thank the U. S. Government, in part at least, for the beginning of the Washington State Horsemen. In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, the government found that they had a shortage of really good horses for the cavalry; so it was decided to lease out hundreds of purebred stallions, mainly Thoroughbreds and Arabians, to the local farmers to breed to their mares and improve the quality of the horses available.
There was such a surplus after the government had purchased what they needed that good horses—show horses, were for the first time cheap enough for the average working man to buy. This called for stabling, training and boarding – so the training stables flourished.
In 1944, some of these trainers realized that in order to keep things going, they had to have planned activity for the horses they were training and that some kind of rules and regulations were needed to govern them. As a result, a meeting was called to be held at the J. Grady Gay Stables in Seattle. At this meeting were:
- J. Grady Gay, probably the finest five and three-‐gaited trainer in this part of the country. These horses are not shown much locally any more, but at the time, they were very popular and really something to see.
- Al Erickson from the Erickson Stables in Yakima, well known in the valley for his training of Arabian horses.
- Jimmy Rainwater from the Rainwater Stables in Seattle, who specialized in hunters and jumpers, most of which were Thoroughbreds. Jimmy was the first to introduce the black lights into the horse world. He soon lost interest in this phase of showing, so Henry Palin picked up his option, and with Martha’s help, they developed and improved the beautiful fluorescent drill used by the Lariettes.
- Art Hannum was at that time living and training in Yakima. He very shortly after that first meeting moved to the Tacoma area, and later bought Woodbrook. He was not only a good trainer, but also was a super teacher and drill master. Many of the Posse and Lariette drill maneuvers were due to his instructions.
After the meeting in Seattle, Art was most anxious to get something started in Tacoma. He got together with other well known horse lovers in the area and a meeting was held at the home of Sid and Nellie Hayes. At that time, they were breeding and raising some of the finest Morgan horses in these parts. The great Morgan stallion, Sunshine R, was one that later became Kent Erickson’s Posse horse. Nimbo and Suzie, serving Grace Kirkwood and Margaret McMaken so well in the Lariettes and winning so many pairs classes, were from the Hayes Ranch.
I won’t try to name all the people who attended that meeting, as there is some argument about just who was there and whether or not that meeting, or the first one at the V.F.W. Hall determined the charter members. If it was the Hayes meeting, Jean Caddigan was the only female charter member. Nellie wasn’t home that night. Anyway, that is when and where the club originated in the mid 1940’s. The name, Tacoma Unit #1, was due to the fact that it was the first club organized in Washington State Horsemen. From the humble beginning, our club has grown to be the largest and most affluent one in the State as of now.
If the club were to keep going, several members – Jack Caddigan, Sid Hayes, Glenn Betts and Paul Buck, realized that it was necessary to have a permanent home. Each pledged $50 and several others pledged smaller amounts to go toward the purchase of a piece of property of their own.
While waiting for suitable property, the club rented the V.F.W. Hall in South Tacoma for one night a month. The first meeting was held in May 1945. Jack Frances was elected the first President and served until the end of the year. At that first meeting, the door prize, which was a leather halter, went to Kent Erickson who, at that time, didn’t even own a horse.
In 1946, Fred Cole was elected President, and it was during his term that the first play day was held at Jack Holroyd’s gravel pit. Believe it or not, Kelly Kettlebaum had to give most of us lessons on changing leads with our horses. Most of us had never heard of such a thing. We had to drive stakes in the ground for pole bending races, but a great time was had by all. It was for this play day that we purchased our first cooking equipment, a huge stainless steel pot in which we cooked beef stew, chili and chowder for everybody.
In late 1947 when George Prescott was president, Paul Buck offered us a deal we couldn’t refuse; a portion of a large section of property he owned that bordered on Bridgeport Way. If we would buy five acres for $500, he would donate an additional five acres. Paul had a stable of Standardbred trotting horses, complete with a large barn and race track. Our own Jerry Buck drove for his father and was the youngest licensed driver on the circuit. He did a good job too.
It was really great when we finally owned our own property. In 1948, Larry Kirkwood, then President, was a building contractor. He furnished the material to put up the framework for our first clubhouse. I am not sure how the floor got poured, but I suspect the Holroyd’s had something to do with it. Del Wright and Joe Baker built the chimney.
After the framing and roofing was done, everyone pitched in to do what they could. They furnished labor, money, equipment and anything else they could to get the building livable. It was from this that we got our first Lifetime member; a fact that most have forgotten. He was a non-‐horsemen who worked with Larry.
On his own, he sheet rocked and finished all the walls and ceiling of the clubhouse. We awarded Paul Mills a Lifetime membership. Later, all members of the Paul Buck family were made Lifetime members because of the generous gift of the five acres of land. That land is now worth thousands of dollars with all kinds of business buildings and industry on it.
At our first real get together at our new clubhouse, every member brought at least one fence post. Amerigo Centoni brought his posthole digger, and just like that, we had a fence around the future arena.
About this time, I took over from Marge Betts as Secretary/Treasurer. She turned over to me, not only the secretary’s minutes, but also three paper cups with the tops caved in. One was marked “general fund,’ one the “building fund,” and the third “petty cash.” In the general fund was $73.20, building fund $13.84, and petty cash $1.92.
It was at this time also that the Lariettes and Posse were formed. The Lariettes started out to be an auxiliary of the Posse. Most, if not all of the charter members, were wives of the Posse members. Although many of these men and women were Tacoma Unit #1 members, it was not until 1963, when we moved into our building on 176th Street, that we were 100% members. They drilled at Woodbrook Arena in the winter months and at the Tacoma Unit arena during the summertime. The completion of the clubhouse and grounds took us through Larry Kirkwood’s first term as president, as well as through Bill Goodwin’s year at the helm.
In 1950, Dick Yost was elected president, and he turn out to be quite an organizer. The Colts and Fillies were formed into a club of their own, sponsored by the parent club. They had their own officers, treasury, senior advisor and representative to the senior meetings. The juniors chose the name of their club and also their colors of red, white and blue. They held a horse show that year where the juniors produced the show; did their own judging of classes, etc., with the advice of senior members. They formed a drill team and also had a square dance on horseback.
Dick started the Nag Sheet publication, which was used to advertise whatever a member had for sale, or wanted to buy, as well as general club news. However, under the editorship of Grace Kirkwood and Margaret McMaken later, it began to take on its present form.
Dick was also responsible for the organization of the W A D S (Women’s Activity Division) with Grace Kirkwood as the first chairwoman. This group was responsible for cooking, cleaning, entertaining and all the things that made the club function so well.
The Easter breakfasts became one of the highlights of the year. Many years followed when there were over a hundred horsemen gathered for Easter services on the prairie, with a sumptuous breakfast afterward. It was for these breakfasts that Ted McMaken and Nick Scinto made up the propane grill that we still use in our clubhouse to cook hamburgers.
During the wee, small, dark hours of a morning in the late 1950’s, many horsemen got a telephone call, “Woodbrook is burning! Bring your horse and any extra halters you may have to help round up the horses that were loose on the prairie.” Earl and Leona Craig had been awakened by a horse kicking, and they found the stables already in flames. We will always remember Earl’s bravery in seeing that every horse was loose, even though hot tar was dripping on his back. All horses were saved, except for two that ran back into the barn to the only safe place they knew -‐ -‐ their own stalls. Leona and Earl lost their business and their home. The Posse and Lariettes had no place to drill. Tacoma Unit members missed Woodbrook greatly because this was the place where they held many play days during the winter. Westbrook was finally rebuilt, complete with another covered arena.
The three day rides we have over Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day will always stand out as some of the greatest times we have ever enjoyed. Marvelous family affairs they were too. We had many organized rides in the mountains with large groups taking to the trails for unforgettable rides. We could ride from our club grounds on Bridgeport Way to Point Defiance with lots of open space in between.
During the winter months, we held many parties. Our Halloween parties were the envy of everyone who couldn’t attend. We came in costume and some of them would take prizes in any gathering. New Year’s dances brought us all together to greet the New Year.
After many years of good progress and multiple horse shows, our location got the best of us -‐ -‐ too crowded, too hard to get horse trailers into and out of the grounds, and too expensive. We had to look for a new home, so we sold our property on Bridgeport Way for $53,000, and bought property in Spanaway on 176th Street and 14th Avenue East. We paid $24,000 for this property, with a down payment of $37,500 on a metal building, which as completed in 1963, and is at our present location. This was done during Larry Kirkwood’s third term as President. At this time, the Pierce County Mounted Posse and the Tacoma Lariettes joined the Tacoma Unit #1 as 100% members. In return for this, they have all the privileges of the club, plus two days free rent during the year to produce shows, or do whatever they choose with the free use of the arena. They also have one day a week for each club to drill in the covered arena, as do the junior members; the Colts and Fillies.
Those of us who lived the experiences of the old club will always be a little sad that an era had to pass. During those years, the Tacoma Unit #1 held some of the finest horse shows in the state; organized statewide trail rides, and contributed greatly to the success of Washington State Horsemen.
We look back at all the man hours, money and equipment that went into making the club the success it has become and that none of us can forget the lasting friendships that were formed that money could not buy. We remember…
- Jack and Jean Caddigan with their great jumping horses so ably ridden by Jerry Buck, and later by Skip Wilson
- Marge and Glen Betts who brought into the state some of the country’s greatest quarter horses; one of these, Cubby Bud, whose get are still at the top of the quarter horse world
- Sid and Nellie Hayes with their Morgan horses
- Earl and Leona Craig, owners of Woodbrook, and their girls, Linda and Julie
- Del and Marcella Wright, with their rodeo stock, the play days at their ranch, the party we had to celebrate their wedding
- Hank and Martha Palin who put us all to shame when it came to ballroom dancing, and their daughters, Marie and Shirley; Hank judging many of our shows
- Jim Ward and all the things he did to help the juniors
- Iris Bryant, her teaching of English riding
- Old Jack Sparling who was always there and helping
- Earl and Pat Libbey and their grandson, Jerry Sands
- Amerigo and Clorinda Centoni who cooked many a spaghetti dinner for us.
These names are just a few of the ones who gave so much of themselves to make Tacoma Unit #1 such an outstanding part of our lives.
Tacoma Unit #1 has grown by leaps and bounds, quite often with growing pains, since moving to our present grounds on 176th Street and 14th Avenue in Spanaway. We have progressed from a little club to one with over 300 family memberships. Any one of us who is a member should be extremely proud. But the years from 1963 to 1980 make up another story that, we hope, will be written by someone before too much more time elapses.