1946—1947 Gymkhana Parade

As early as 1935, enthusiastic Los Gatos horse owners banded together for the enjoyment of their sport. On Nov. 8, 1940, 23 local people met at and organized the Los Gatos Gymkhana Association. On Memorial Day, 1941, a formal dedication was held for the new Gymkhana Grounds, which were located in the bottom lands below University Avenue, along the creek. Bleachers, a quarter-mile track and a ring for showing horses were available. This photograph, circa 1946, shows a parade on Santa Cruz Avenue. Los Gatos parades in this era featured up to 200 horses. Gymkhana ended with the coming of the freeway in the mid-1950s.

Source: Hooked on Los Gatos, the Library and Museum History Project

—Provided by Los Gatos librarian Henry Bankhead