http://www.saddletrampridersclub.org/

Saddle Tramp Riders Club / Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras, 1036 E Ebey Street, Church Point, LA (2026)

05/14/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients 🎓

The Church Point Saddle Tramp Riders Club, Inc. was proud to attend the Church Point High School Awards Ceremony at 8:00 a.m. on May 14, 2026, to present two $1,000 scholarships to deserving CPHS graduating seniors.

We are honored to recognize:

🐻Drea Matte
🖤Recipient of the Elton J. Richard Memorial Scholarship
💛Presented by Jamie Prince, Vice President

🐻Libbi Boudreaux
🖤Recipient of the Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants Scholarship
💛Presented by Todd Richard, Board Member

These scholarships represent more than financial support. They reflect our club’s commitment to community, education, Cajun tradition, and the continued preservation of the Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras for future generations.

We congratulate Drea and Libbi on their accomplishments and wish them continued success as they begin the next chapter of their education.

Thank you to Church Point High School for allowing us to be part of this special morning, and thank you to our members and supporters who help make these scholarships possible.

02/28/2026

🐓💜💚💛 MERCI BEAUCOUP 💛💚💜🐓
To our Capitaine and Co-Capitaines — 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras (2026)

Allons, allons…
Voyage ton flag. 🏳️

From 8 a.m. until the final notes of La Chanson de Mardi Gras fade down Main Street, the Courir goes on — rain or shine, mud or dust — just as it always has.

At the head of the 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras, hosted and put on by Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc., rides Troy Richard, Capitaine — the youngest son of founder and first Capitaine, Elton J. Richard, Sr.
He carries forward a role rooted in family, faith, and Cajun heritage, honoring the legacy built by his father, strengthened by his brother Elton “Joey” Richard, Jr., and carried by those who answered the call in between.

The Capitaine’s duty is not simply to lead — but to ask permission, keep order, raise the white flag, and protect the spirit of the Courir.

Before the Mardi Gras may enter a farmhouse or property, the Capitaine asks the homeowner:
“Vous acceptez les Mardi Gras?”
When the answer is oui, the white flag is waved — voyage ton flag — and only then does the singing begin.

Riding alongside him from morning through parade time are the Co-Capitaines, on horseback, protecting the runners as they live one final day of excess before Lent. They guide the run, manage the crowds, hold the line, and keep the Courir respectful and true.

Those purple, green, and gold capes are not costume —
they are symbols of authority, visibility, and trust.

With sincere gratitude, we thank the 2026 Capitaine and Co-Capitaines of the 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras.

Capitaine
Troy Richard

Co-Capitaines
Brennan Harmon
Trent Boudreaux
Elton “Richey” Richard, III
James Richard
John-Blake Sonnier
Beau Horaist
Ben Aguillard
Randy Granger
Koury “Smokey” Lafosse
Chance Henry
Lance Martin
Traven Guidry

Because of you, the Courir remains what it has always been —
Cajun. Communal. Sacred. And still ours.

🐓💜💚💛

02/27/2026

🐓🐔💜💚💛 MERCI BEAUCOUP 💛💚💜🐔🐓
To Our Capitaine, Hayes Miller, & His Co-Capitaines
25th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants

Leading the Courir isn’t about being first — it’s about carrying the weight of tradition, keeping order in the chaos, and making sure the spirit of the run is honored from start to finish.

This year, Capitaine Hayes Miller and his Co-Capitaines did just that — with pride, responsibility, and respect for a tradition that has been passed down for generations.

Back Row (left to right):
John David Harmon
💜 Hayes Miller — Capitaine 💚
Norah Dean
Rhett Leonards
Savannah Harmon
(Not pictured: Mason Cormier)

Front Row (left to right):
Ruby Richard
Libby Claire Vigé
Anna Grace Harmon
Lucy Harmon
Harrison Miller

Before the first step of the run, prayer was offered — reminding us that even in the laughter, the music, and the chicken chasing 🐓🐔, this day carries meaning.

From organizing, guiding runners, helping maintain tradition, and setting the tone for the next generation — your leadership mattered.

💜💚💛 Thank you for stepping up.
💜💚💛 Thank you for carrying it forward.
💜💚💛 Thank you for being part of the story.

🐓🐔💜💚💛
—
Church Point Saddle Tramp Riders Club, Inc.
Preserving Cajun tradition since 1961

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02/26/2026

Captured from the sky, rooted in tradition.

Thank you Dan Hubert () of Juneau Drone Photography for this incredible aerial video of the 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras.�
A moment we’ll treasure for generations.

Click Link Below 👇

https://youtu.be/l6mSrs4ZWBw

www.LastFrontierAerial.com - Juneau Drone Photography

02/26/2026

Average Joe capturing the registration and preparation before the 64th Annual Saddle Tramp Riders Club / Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras. Follow him for more content.

02/25/2026

🐣💜💚💛 MERCI BEAUCOUP 💛💚💜🐣
400 Children • 43 Parade Units • 25 Years of Tradition

Masked and dressed out, the children poured into the yard with laughter, excitement, and wide eyes — stepping into the Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants, a tradition many were experiencing for the very first time.

They came to sing, dance, and run, surrounded by family and friends, as Cajun Mardi Gras came alive in front of them. Chickens were chased, music filled the air, and joy echoed across the yard as the Courir unfolded.

Created to pass this tradition to the next generation, the Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants continues to grow — and this year, 400 children took part, joined by 43 floats, wagons, and side-by-sides that carried the celebration forward.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the children and families who participated, and to everyone who helped make this day one to remember.

A special thank you to Todd and Dana Richard for welcoming the Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants onto their property — opening their yard and creating a place where tradition, family, and community came together.

This is how a tradition is passed on.
One child at a time.

🐣💜💚💛
—
Church Point Saddle Tramp Riders Club, Inc.
Preserving Cajun tradition since 1961

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02/25/2026

⸻

🐓💜💚💛 MERCI BEAUCOUP 💛💚💜🐓
642+ Mardi Gras • 27 Floats • 64 Years of Tradition and 7 Stops Along the Run

Masked and wearing capuchons, the Mardi Gras poured into the yards in a wave of color, music, and motion — singing, dancing, and entertaining homeowners just as their ancestors once did.

Chickens and guineas were handed out to be chased, laughter filled the air, and guests gathered along the edges as the Courir unfolded. Later in the day, the greased pig chase added to the chaos that makes Cajun Mardi Gras what it is.

Founded in 1961, the Church Point Saddle Tramp Riders Club has carried this tradition forward for 64 years, made possible by the people who continue to show up and keep it alive.

We are grateful to the 642+ registered Mardi Gras riders, the additional 25–30 participants who joined along the way, and the 27 parade units, floats, and wagons that brought the Courir through town.

We also thank the homeowners who welcomed the Mardi Gras onto their property, opening their gates and yards along the run:

• Todd and Dana Richard
• Peggy and Jeffrey Harmon
• John and Claire Elkins Olivier
• Sydney and Marion Venable
• Scott “Moose” Venable
• Andrew “Percy” Duplechin
• Todd Hyatt and Jamie Prince

Your hospitality is the heartbeat of the Courir.

This is the Courir.
This is how it has always been.

🐓💜💚💛
—
Church Point Saddle Tramp Riders Club, Inc.
Preserving Cajun tradition since 1961

02/22/2026

25th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants
Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc.

🙏 We are deeply grateful to Father Brian Harrington, Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, for offering prayer and blessings during the 25th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants, grounding the day in faith, joy, and community.

Before the children’s Courir began, Father Harrington led a blessing over our youngest Mardi Gras participants — a meaningful reminder that even in celebration, faith remains at the heart of our traditions 📿.

Father Harrington also took part in the tradition by throwing a chicken, sharing in the joy of the day and creating a moment filled with laughter, connection, and Cajun spirit for the children 🐓💜💚💛.

Mardi Gras has deep Catholic roots — a time of celebration before the season of Lent — and beginning the children’s Courir with prayer honors both the spiritual meaning and the cultural heritage we strive to pass on to the next generation.

We are thankful to Father Harrington and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church for supporting our children, our families, and the preservation of this cherished tradition.

With gratitude from the
Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc.

📿 La foi guide le chemin.
🎭 25th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras des Enfants

02/22/2026

64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras
Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc.

🙏 We are grateful to Father Michael Vidrine, Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, for offering prayer and blessings throughout the 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras, grounding the day in faith and purpose.

This post includes the morning blessing before the Courir, followed by a moment of prayer later in the day at A Stop on the Run, where Father Vidrine blessed the Mardi Gras participants prior to the greased pig chase 🐓.

Father Vidrine also took part in the tradition by throwing a chicken, a moment that reflected humility, joy, and a genuine connection to the cultural roots of the Courir 💜💚💛.

Mardi Gras has deep Catholic roots — a season of joy, community, and preparation before Lent. Beginning the Courir with prayer, and continuing that presence throughout the day, honors the meaning behind the tradition 📿.

We are especially thankful to Father Vidrine for walking alongside our community from start to finish, reminding us that faith remains at the heart of Cajun Mardi Gras.

With gratitude from the
Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc.

📿 La foi guide le chemin.
🎭 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras

02/22/2026

🚔👮‍♂️👮🏾‍♂️MERCI BEAUCOUP👮🏿👮‍♀️🚔

💜💚💛64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras
Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc💜💚💛

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Town of Church Point and Mayor Ryan “Spanky” Meche, along with the agencies who helped ensure this year’s Courir was conducted safely and respectfully.

We thank Chief of Police,Dale Thibodeaux, and the Church Point Police Department, with assistance from the Opelousas Police Department, for coverage and enforcement within city limits.

We also extend our appreciation to Sheriff K.P. Gibson and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Department, who provided es**rt and law enforcement services outside of city limits, supporting the Courir along the route.

We are grateful as well to the emergency personnel on standby, including MedExpress Ambulance Service and the Church Point Volunteer Fire Department, whose presence provided an added layer of safety for participants and spectators alike.

Your professionalism, preparation, and service allowed our community to come together and celebrate this tradition safely.

On behalf of the Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, Inc— President Jay Guidry, our board members, our Capitaine, Troy Richard, and our membership — thank you for helping preserve and protect the Courir de Mardi Gras.

⚜️ Lâche pas.
🎭 64th Annual Courir de Mardi Gras

Saddle Tramp Riders Club / Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras

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