FORT WORTH, TEXAS — In a modest arena on Fort Worth’s east side, history gallops on. The Circle L 5 Riding Club is practicing, not just for the Cowboys of Color Rodeo at the Fort Worth Stock Show but to honor a legacy forged over 70 years ago by five Black equestrians who dared to dream.
Founded in 1949 by Ed “Pop” Landers and four companions, the club emerged as a response to segregation’s barriers. Denied entry to parades and rodeos, they created their own. Carving a circle in the dirt and adding an “L” for Landers, the Circle L 5 Riding Club was born—a symbol of unity, resilience, and determination.
Today, Circle L 5 boasts over 80 members dedicated to preserving Black cowboy culture. From Juneteenth celebrations to precision drills, Circle L 5’s legacy is a tribute to the 25% of 19th-century cowboys who were Black, whose contributions have been long overlooked.
Every ride is a performance, an education, and a promise that their history will endure.
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