Larry Geans rides south on Cottage Grove Avenue in Bronzeville on Friday. Fellow members of the Broken Arrow Riding Club call him Cowboy Hawk. | Kieran Stover/Sun-Times
By Kade Heather | Chicago Sun*Times
Before leading a group of equestrians on a Juneteenth horseback ride through Chicago’s South Side, Murdock circles them up at Washington Park for a pep talk.
The 78-year-old horseman, who goes by Murdock — just Murdock, no first name — is president of the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club.
He reminded the group of around 20 riders about the rules of the road. Illinois law allows horseback riding on roads, but not highways. Murdock told them to stay to the right side of the road, be mindful of cars and that they have the right of way. He told them to work together as a team.
Finally, he said: “Can I get a yeehaw?” The group responded with, “yeehaw!”
He then said a prayer. It ended with, “amen” — followed by a louder, “yeehaw!”
The Broken Arrow’s Juneteenth ride was 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.
Broken Arrow Riding Club member Jada Washington, 18, (left) with club president Murdock, 78 on Friday. | Kieran Stover/Sun-Times
Friday’s ride began at Washington Park, proceeded north on Martin Luther King Drive, then east on 35th Street. From there, riders turned south on Cottage Grove Avenue back to Washington Park.
Murdock led the group in a pickup truck, affixed with an African-American flag. Another pickup pulling a horse trailer followed the 20 horses. Drivers honked in support, construction workers recorded videos as the horses strolled by and a group of holiday celebrants yelled “Happy Juneteenth,” waving 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.
Chicago has a rich history of Black cowboys and horsemanship. 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 Chicago’s inner-city youth in the 1950s. In 1964, Latting started the Thyrl Latting Rodeo Spectacular at the since-demolished International Amphitheater.
Greg Hollywood Adrow with his horse, Big Blue, in Washington Park on Friday. Adrow says riding a horse is like being “seven feet closer to God.” | Kieran Stover/Sun-Times
Murdock grew up on the South Side, eventually living near a stable at 61st Street and Evans Avenue. That’s where he “got bit by the bug,” and would watch the horses galloping through the park.
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