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Riding club objects to new horse tail‑bag requirement after parade turnout drops
Summary
The Saddle Pals Riding Club said a late‑enforced requirement that horses wear tail bags cost roughly $60 per bag and reduced participation; the city said clubs were later allowed to ride without bags and the public works director said he issued the directive.
Adam Presley, president of the Saddle Pals Riding Club, told the commission that horses were told shortly before the Soddy‑Daisy Christmas Parade they would be required to wear tail bags, a rule he said had not appeared in parade guidance and is costly at about $60 per bag. Presley said the group originally planned roughly 50 horses but only 30 participated after the requirement, and that he drove the parade route afterward and observed only about five piles in a turning lane compared with significant spectator litter.
City Manager Burt Johnson said the city later informed riding groups they could participate without the bags at this year’s parade but that the requirement might be considered for next year and would be announced in advance if adopted. When asked who issued the directive, Public Works Director Grant said he had done so. City Attorney Elliott told the assembly that, because of recent legislation requiring that items to be voted on by the commission be published at least 48 hours before a meeting, the board could not vote on new parade rules tonight; Presley asked that the board not act on the matter without him present.
Why it matters: The exchange highlights a process and communication issue for an annual community event—the timing and enforcement of operational rules affected participation by neighborhood organizations and raised questions about internal directives and advance notice.
The commission did not take formal action on the rule at the meeting.
