Although Rainbow’s Brown family didn’t ride in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade, Lori Brown Smith participated in the Equestfest for the equestrian groups in the parade.

Smith, who has lived in Temecula since her August 2010 marriage, joined Linda Spangenberger in a mounted shooting exhibition during the Dec. 30 Equestfest at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Smith rode Ben, who is now 13, and raced Spangenberger riding sidesaddle.

"Everything went well at the Equestfest. I shot all my balloons and Ben was a good boy," Smith said.

Smith’s father, Jerry Brown, helped to put up the targets for the Spirit of the West Riders performance which also included Spangenberger’s husband, Phil, shooting aerial targets. Smith’s mother, Colleen Brown, videotaped the Spirit of the West Riders portion of Equestfest.

The Spirit of the West Riders participated in the parade itself as well as the Equestfest, although the Browns did not ride this year. "Took the year off but wanted to participate in the Equestfest and still support the group," Smith said.

"It’s a wonderful event," Smith said of the Equestfest. "It’s an opportunity not to be missed."

The Browns rode in the 2011 Rose Parade and participated in the December 2010 Equestfest during which the equestrian groups had to endure that day’s rain. This year the weather was dryer and warmer. "It was really nice. The weather was beautiful up there compared to last year," Smith said. "It’s so nice to have beautiful California weather, to be able to have the horses out and really perform."

The Spirit of the West Riders ride for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and portray characters representative of the American West. Phil Spangenberger, the leader of the Spirit of the West Riders, insists on historical accuracy other than allowing the use of breast collars for safety. The clothing, saddles, and bridles replicate those used by men and women who rode the frontier between 1840 and 1920. During the Equestfest, Smith wore a black hat, a turquoise green shirt, a beaded vest, a maroon velvet skirt, a silver concho belt, and boots.

"To recreate history like that, it’s one of my favorite things," Smith said.

"It’s just an honor to be around so many wonderful horse groups and so many of them that are dedicated to wonderful causes as well," Smith said.

For the first time the Equestfest had a grand entry and a grand finale in which all riders participated. "It reminded me of being in a Wild West show," Smith said. "Just to be all in one arena together was really a unique experience."

Each equestrian group had its own performance, which included Phil Spangenberger’s aerial shooting exhibition before Smith and Linda Spangenberger performed the mounted shooting.  "It was a good race. We were pushing it," Smith said.

"I shot all of my targets, which I was happy about," Smith said. "I couldn’t have asked Ben to be any better. He was right there for me."

Smith has ridden in the Rose Parade itself 12 times, including 10 with the Spirit of the West Riders (the first two were with the Ramona Pageant). The Spirit of the West Riders rode in every Rose Parade from 1992 to 2009, took the 2010 parade off, and have ridden in the past two Tournament of Roses Parades.