Tell Me Something Good: The Wranglers

The Wranglers
horse riding club has been hitting the Oklahoma soil for decades.

Vicki Sorrells’
father, uncle, and a few other men started meeting back in 1942.

 “They were on
ration so they’d ride their horses to the meetings,” Vicki said.

 That’s seventy
years promoting horsemanship and raising money for those in need.

“We promote
ourselves as one of the oldest riding clubs active right now,” said Jimmy
Johnston, the club president.

Johnston says
there are about 40 Wranglers these days from over the state.  They come in
all shapes and sizes, young and old.

11-year old Wyatt
Kappus serves as the club’s ambassador.

“We ride in
parades and stuff like that,” Kappus said.

 He named his horse
Coke.  His sister, Bailey Kappus, serves as the club’s queen.  Her
horse wasn’t so lucky.

“His name is
Booger,” she said.  “It sounds funny, but his name really is Booger.”

Sorrells’ horse is
named Spanky.  He spent six years with the Oklahoma City Police Patrol
before becoming a Wrangler.  She says he’s one of the lucky horses because
he has a sense of purpose.

“They don’t use
horses to work cattle and things like they used to,” Sorrells stated. 
“They use 4-wheelers and pick-ups these days.”

To promote the
horse The Wranglers gather at least once a month for food, fun, and to plan
special events like rodeos.

 “The rodeo money
that we get from the rodeo in El Reno we donate to local charities,” said
Johnston.

 Riders gladly give
up their weekends to saddle up for parades and special appearances.  They
were recently honored during the procession at the International Finals Rodeo
in Oklahoma City.

 Sorrells says
being a Wrangler is good for the rider and good for the horse.  Both live
to ride and ride to serve.  Of course, there are lots of laughs along the
way.

“He’s just a big
old goober,” Sorrells laughed while hugging her horse.  “That’s a good
word for him because he’s definitely a goober.”

Posted: Wednesday, February 20 2013, 10:12 PM CST