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.
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.
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.
“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.”
When he returned from serving during the Vietnam War, the stable near his home had burned down.
“I started going out to the suburbs to ride,” he said. “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.”
Murdock lives in south suburban Glenwood and maintains the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club’s barn in Steger. He founded the group in 1989.
Jada Washington, 18, joined the club in August and has been “doing a fantastic job,” according to Murdock.
Washington, from Brainerd, has wanted to ride horses since she was 3 years old.
On Friday, she rode with a new, younger horse, Hope, who 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,” said Washington, who has started to compete in rodeos.
“The adrenaline gets you, but it’s very fun,” Washington said of competing.
Washington said Broken Arrow has provided her a unique opportunity to gather with others who admire horses.
“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 said.
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.
The Father’s Day rodeo has become an annual event in honor of his own father, who was at Murdock’s first-ever competition as a kid which 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.”