Roy Roger’s horse Trigger will on the 75 foot RFD-TV float for the Pasadena Rose Parade this year. And to make it really special there will be 100 riders surrounding it all riding palominos. Should be spectacular!
Designed by Phoenix Decorating, the grand finale float will feature a 35-foot-tall classic image of Rogers framed by a silver horseshoe inscribed with his name and pearl-handled dual six-shooters on each side.
Facebook Friend Pam Minick wrote me: “Orion Samuelson and I will cover the parade, and a pre-parade special on the Making of The RFD TV Float “Happy Trails” a tribute to Roy Rogers 100th birthday. Get up early on Jan 2, not New Years Day…as the Rose Parade has a never on Sunday rule.”
Some trigger facts:
– Trigger was born on a ranch in San Diego, California in 1934 or 1935.
– His original name was Golden Cloud
– Golden Cloud’s sire was a thoroughbred and his dam was an unregistered mare.
– At around the age of three Golden Cloud was sold to Hudkins Stables of Hollywood, California, a stable that provided horses for use in the movie industry.
– Golden Cloud made his movie debut as the mount of Maid Marian, played by Olivia de Havilland, in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
– Roy Rogers became aware of the Golden Cloud in 1937 when he was auditioning horses for his first starring feature, UNDER WESTERN STARS (Republic, 1938).
– Legend has it that Roys sidekick Smiley Burnette suggested naming the Palomino “Trigger” after someone commented that he was “quick on the trigger.”
– It wasn’t until 1943 that Rogers bought Golden Cloud from Hudkins Stable for $2,500 (equivalent to $30,000 today)
– Roy Rogers renamed him Trigger.
– Glenn Randall was his primary trainer although Rogers became an excellent horseman.
– Trigger knew 150 commands.
– Trigger had just one stocking on his left hind. Two horses that stood in for him at public appearances had four stockings.
– He was a 15.3 hands.
– Trigger sired no offspring (although he was a stallion).
– He died in 1965.
Some previous posts about Trigger:
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