Back in the 1920's the Island had its own travelling troupe of rodeo riders who travelled all over the United Kingdom giving spectacular displays of horsemanship. Before arriving at a display destination the following newspaper advertisement would appear locally to help bring in spectators.
“THE WIGHT RODEO RIDERS THRILLING SPECTACLE.
This troupe ofBritish horsemen was first formed in 1924 at Newport, Isle of Wight, the hometown of the troupe, hence the name. Since their formation immediately after the World Rodeo display at the Wembley Exhibition at which their leader and founder Capt. C. B. Killeen of the Royal Horse Artillery took an active part, they have travelled all over the British Isles, giving their performances at agricultura lshows, carnivals and stadia. The horses are British bred and are selected to give a really fast performance, going all out, and they are as keen as their riders at the work required of them, Man and horse, are real pals, and with the combination of lively horse and man this is the fastest trick riding troupe in the British Isles. When the horses work together in pyramid, Roman riding, relay and roping, they are not connected in any way by straps to keep them in their correct position, the riders having complete confidence in their horses to hold their place a feat ‘unequalled by any other troupe. The programme of the troupe is full of risks and positive accuracy. Balance and judgment on the part of the rider is necessary with the weapon he uses in the separate events, as in some cases an inch or two's deflection ‘man. The individual trck riding is a series of hair raising tricks carried out through racing speed, the rider being only connected to his horse by a very slight hold. He must be physically fit to take the risk and his timing must be accurate to the second. The programme is divided into two separate displays, one performance being given in the fiesta dress of the Argentine Gaucho Cowboy and the other in the dress uniform of the Cossack and the display items are selected from the following:
Lance pegging at burning pegs, knife and spear throwing from galloping horses, trick riding both individual and group, small pyramid race, grand pyramid (ten horses and men), sword cutting at heads and posts, rope spinning and lassoing (one to five horses). Roman riding race overjumps, picking up handkerchiefs, trick riding over jumps, sword pegging and comedy sharpshooting”
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