Cavalcade

A cavalcade is a procession or parade on horseback, or a mass trail ride by a company of riders. The focus of a cavalcade is participation rather than display; often, the participants do not wear costumes or ride in formation. Often, a cavalcade re-enacts an important historical event and follows a long distance trail. A cavalcade may also be a pilgrimage.

Many cavalcades involve ceremonial entries into and departures from towns and villages along the way. A small version of such a ceremonial entry is the "grand entry" that is traditional in many rodeos. Long distance cavalcades may acquire more riders with each departure from a populated place along its route.

The term cavalcade comes from the classical Latin word caballus, used to describe a strong work horse. This developed into the word caballicare, "to ride horseback", which in Italian became cavalcare.