Butler County Sheriff Mounted Posse has served community for over half a century
From parades to Parts-A-Rama, the Butler County Sheriff Mounted Posse has been riding horses at events and assisting the sheriff’s office for more than half a century.
The group was founded in 1974 to serve as a public relations wing of the sheriff’s office and celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Members of the posse can be spotted at events across the county, such as the Butler Farm Show and the Zelienople Fourth of July parade.
At these events, members serve as patrol and assist event staff with crowd control efforts.
“The posse has served during three county sheriffs’ tenures over their 50 years,” Sheriff Mike Slupe said. “They always stand ready to help in any emergency or other needs that arise in the county. Their horses can be utilized and are advantageous in many different situations.
“It’s good to know they are a resource available to our county.”
For the members themselves, however, the posse is more than just a duty.
Members of the group each provide their own horse and transportation, which some view as a wonderful opportunity to show off their companion. Joe Newsome, a member of the posse, said it serves as a bonding opportunity for the riders.
“The more you interact with your horses, the more you get to be with them — it justifies why you have this expensive trailer, this big truck and burning through hay,” Newsome said. “Being with your animals, really, is what makes it worthwhile for me.”
While being a member of the posse requires both riders and horses to train and test to ensure they can work well in crowds, posse captain Gail Leopold said it gives other people an opportunity to see and interact with horses.
“Wherever we go, we make people feel good,” Leopold said. “Adults love to see us. Children love to see us, and everyone loves to see and pet our horses.”
Karen Hayward, the posse’s secretary, said the group also helps people recognize and remember Butler County’s agricultural roots, even as more and more development comes to the area.
“I think Butler County’s history is important,” Hayward said. “When we ride our horses in parades, people are reminded that there are still lots of farms and open spaces here.”
While the posse has riders ranging from teenagers to seniors, members are aware that the average rider is growing older. Throughout the entire life of the organization, membership has been constantly fluctuating.
“I think the maximum amount we’ve had since I joined was 40 members,” Newsome said. “We struggled a little bit during the COVID years because that was hard for everybody.”
Now, while taking the first steps into the second half of a century, posse leadership is hoping to attract a new generation of riders. Leopold said there are several positive aspects to being a member.
“It’s a great way for a horse owner to give back to the community,” Leopold said. “Our members enjoy the camaraderie of spending time together. We’re all horse people and we bond over our love for riding.”
At the posse’s July meeting, which took place at Natili North in Butler, attending members sat at a table and ate dinner together while still taking care of their agenda items for the month. After adjournment, members stuck around to catch up and chat with their friends.
“(The posse) is a family,” Newsome said. “There’s a lot of old members that still have fond memories with working with the posse.”
People interested in joining or supporting the Butler County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse can contact Leopold by phone at 412-848-3901.
