Altadena’s Los Hermanos Bañuelos Selected for 2026 Rose Parade

Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team, 2023 (File Photo – PUSD)

Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team, a beloved equestrian group based in Altadena, has been selected to participate in the 137th Rose Parade presented by Honda, taking place on January 1, 2026.

By Rena Kurlander

The team is one of just 17 equestrian units chosen from across the country to ride in the historic parade, which will celebrate the theme “The Magic in Teamwork.”

This marks a proud milestone for the Bañuelos family and the local community, as their traditional charro horsemanship will once again be showcased on a global stage. A fan favorite in the Rose Parade for over 15 years, Los Hermanos Bañuelos are known for their dazzling costumes, expert riding skills, and deep cultural roots. They embody generations of Mexican equestrian tradition and continue to inspire audiences year after year.

Since the Rose Parade’s founding in 1890, equestrian groups have been a cornerstone of the event, bringing pageantry and historical significance to Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard. The 2026 equestrian lineup features a diverse mix of cavalry units, rodeo performers, therapy horses, and cultural riding teams.

Among the 17 units selected are several notable local groups, including Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team from Altadena, Spirit of the West Riders from Arcadia, and The Valley Hunt Club from Pasadena, the latter of which organized the very first Rose Parade in 1890. These homegrown groups will ride alongside nationally recognized performers, showcasing the region’s rich equestrian heritage.

The 2026 Equestrian Units, listed alphabetically

• Arabian Horse Association Versatile Arabians (Greenwood Village, CO)
• Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team (Lake View Terrace, CA)
• Budweiser Clydesdales (St. Louis, MO)
• First Cavalry Division, Horse Cavalry Detachment (Fort Cavazos, TX)
• International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (Birmingham, AL)
• Los Angeles Police Department, Metropolitan Division Mounted Platoon (Los Angeles, CA)
• Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team (Altadena, CA)
• Merced County Sheriff’s Posse (Merced, CA)
• Mini Therapy Horses (Calabasas, CA)
• Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers (Sacramento, CA)
• Scripps Miramar Ranch Steam Fire Pumper Unit (San Diego, CA)
• Spirit of the West Riders (Arcadia, CA)
• The New Buffalo Soldiers (Shadow Hills, CA)
• The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team (Norco, CA)
• The Valley Hunt Club (Pasadena, CA)
• United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard (Barstow, CA)
• Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society (San Marcos, CA)

These equestrian groups will ride alongside spectacular floral floats, marching bands, and other performers, captivating millions of viewers in Pasadena and around the world.

Before the parade, equestrian fans will have the chance to see these talented performers up close at Equestfest, held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The family-friendly event features live demonstrations including trick riding, roping, drills, and musical performances, along with opportunities to meet the horses and riders.

Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team perform for PUSd students and staff, 2023 (Photo – PUSD)