With a pep talk at Washington Park and a slow procession through Bronzeville, Chicago’s Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club marked Juneteenth by teaching younger riders the rules of the road and honoring a history that reaches back to the 1893 World’s Fair.
When Murdock stepped into the middle of his circle of riders at Washington Park, it wasn’t the kind of scene that waits for ceremony. The 78-year-old horseman—who goes by Murdock, with no first name—raised his voice and made sure everyone heard the basics before the ride became celebration.
“It’s a way to celebrate and inform younger people about the holiday commemorating June 19. 1865—the day when the last enslaved Black Americans. living in Galveston. Texas. learned they had been freed—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. ” he told the group of around 20 riders.
Then came the rules, delivered like common sense and culture at the same time. Illinois law allows horseback riding on roads, but not highways. Murdock told riders to stay to the right side of the road. to be mindful of cars. and to remember they have the right away. He urged them to work together as a team.
After that, the mood shifted. “Can I get a yeehaw?” he said.
The group answered, “yeehaw!”
Murdock added a prayer that ended with “amen,” followed by a louder “yeehaw!”
Friday’s ride started at Washington Park, went north on Martin Luther King Drive, then east on 35th Street. Riders turned south on Cottage Grove Avenue back to Washington Park. Murdock led the group in a pickup truck marked with an African-American flag. while another pickup followed pulling a horse trailer. Drivers honked in support as construction workers recorded videos. Along the route, holiday celebrants yelled “Happy Juneteenth” and waved a Juneteenth flag.
“What’s more important is that we, as cowboys, represent to show the reflection of our heritage from years past,” Murdock said.
That heritage is part of what he’s spent his life trying to keep visible. Chicago has a “rich history of Black cowboys and horsemanship,” and Broken Arrow sits inside that story. Buffalo Bill’s “Congress of Rough Riders” first introduced cowboys of color to the city for performances at the 1893 World’s Fair. Thyrl Latting. described as Chicago’s original Black cowboy. brought horseback riding to the city’s inner-city youth in the 1950s. and in 1964 Latting started the Thyrl Latting Rodeo Spectacular at the since-demolished International Amphitheater.
Murdock grew up on the South Side and later lived near a stable at 61st Street and Evans Avenue. He said he “got bit by the bug” watching horses gallop through the park.
“I just knew then that’s what I wanted to do,” Murdock said. “And that was at the age of 9, so almost 70 years ago and I’m still here. And the only reason I’m not mounted on a horse today is I got a pinched nerve in my back.”
After he returned from serving during the Vietnam War, the stable near his home had burned down. He said he started riding in the suburbs, but made a commitment to bring horseback riding back to Chicago’s inner city.
“So, I made a commitment that I wanted to bring horseback riding back to the inner city of Chicago, and that’s what I feel like I’ve done,” he said.
Murdock lives in south suburban Glenwood and maintains Broken Arrow’s barn in Steger. He founded the group in 1989.
For 18-year-old Jada Washington, the ride on Friday was both learning and momentum. She joined the club in August and, according to Murdock, has been “doing a fantastic job.” Washington, who is from Brainerd, said she’s wanted to ride horses since she was 3 years old.
On Friday, she rode with a new, younger horse named Hope—an animal she said she’s grown to love working with.
“She’s kind of just starting to really be worked with. so that’s motivating to me because she’s coming a long way too. ” Washington said. “It feels very communal and I think that I’ve come more out of my shell with communicating and talking to people because before I didn’t really speak like that. but now I do.”.
Washington also said she has started to compete in rodeos.
“The adrenaline gets you, but it’s very fun,” she said.
That community is a deliberate part of what Broken Arrow does, and Murdock’s message to the group carried it like a refrain: this wasn’t only about the ride, but about making sure the tradition survives in the hands of the next riders.
Broken Arrow. which Murdock said is named to signify peace. is also hosting a Father’s Day rodeo at 2 p.m. Sunday at the South Shore Cultural Center. Murdock said the Father’s Day event has become annual in honor of his own father. who was at Murdock’s first-ever competition as a kid. which Murdock said he won.
“It’s always been embedded in me [that] if I can do it on Father’s Day, I do it, because it can bring the families together,” Murdock said. “ Don’t buy him socks or a neck tie, bring him to the rodeo.”
Juneteenth Chicago Black cowboys horseback riding Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club Washington Park Martin Luther King Drive Cottage Grove Avenue 35th Street South Shore Cultural Center Father’s Day rodeo