WARNER SPRINGS, Calif. – Only a handful of equestrian groups make it into the Rose Parade.

For entertainer Judy Taylor, the Wild West holds a special place in her heart.

“I am a modern day Annie Oakley. I love the life on my beautiful ranch, I have horses, we’ve rescued donkeys, I have an old peacock, I live in the middle of this beautiful island up against the national forest, where I can ride forever,” says Taylor.

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It’s partly why performing is the only career she has ever known. Taylor has been rope tricking, bull whipping, and pistol spinning since she was 16 years old. Now at 60 years young, she is going to be joining the Horsewomen of Temecula Wine Country as they march and ride in the Rose Parade for the first time.

“We are just ecstatic. It’s a dream come true for all of us, and to represent Temecula who’s never been in the Rose Parade, it’s big for all of us,” she says.

Taylor is no one-trick pony. She is an award-winning singer and songwriter with an ode to the city, “Temecula Place of the Sun.” Her music helps tell the history of Temecula and what the 21 successful ladies of the Horsewomen’s wagon-train represent.

Temecula, which means “Where the sun breaks through the mist,” represents Southern California’s ranching history. From its original Native American inhabitants to the Gold Rush, the city has maintained its western roots in the modern age.

The Horsewomen have never lost touch with their own roots, representing the parade’s theme “Power of Hope,” paying homage to Temecula’s history while maintaining their own successful careers.

“The Renaissance, independent model of the cowgirl, the pioneer woman - it pretty much seems to be what my soul is made of,” Taylor says.

There are only a handful of equestrian groups that walk in the parade. And the Horsewomen were pleasantly surprised to get in on their first go-round. They take their act to the Equefest Horse Show first then it’s on to Colorado Boulevard.

“We’re just really excited to keep that going and where people can see what we’re doing and that we’re real and that we’re not going away,” she says.

They’ll be sure to say howdy.