Cooper’s horse carriage a major attraction at parades
The Cooper family of Upper St. Clair loves a parade, especially if the promenade features a horse and carriage.
So don’t be surprised if and when you see the clan at a local event this summer.
“My daughter rides competitively and my husband rides for pleasure,” said Mia Cooper. “I’m not a horse person but I thought a carriage was a nice way that I could participate, too.”
The Cooper family owns three horses, two for riding and one for parades. Major was the 6-year-old draft horse that thrilled the crowd at the annual Memorial Day parade that weaved through the streets of Bethel Park.
Cana Cooper accompanied Major as a side walker.
“He’s young, so I am here to make sure he is OK with all the noise, the ambulances, fire trucks, the band, the crowd and all the people,” she explained. “I am his support human.”
Bob Cooper drove the carriage with his wife by his side. Their neighbors, Tina and Gary Florkowski, were along for the ride as passengers.
The Coopers participate in processions whenever their schedule permits. In addition to community days in Bethel Park and South Park, they are regulars at Monongahela’s horse-only promenade to be held Aug. 20 this year as well as the Halloween celebration in Bentleyville.
Mrs. Cooper also said the horse and buggy will “probably” appear in the famed Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade.
“We do community days everywhere and parades,” she said. “We just love them.”
Cana Cooper is more than a horse enthusiast. She competes in barrel racing and pole bending events at rodeos.
A 2022 Seton LaSalle High School graduate, she will attend Washington & Jefferson College in the fall.
“I’ll still be riding horses but not with the school,” she explained.
Cana plans to major in business and accounting. She hopes to facilitate those majors with equine studies.
“I would love to work with horses in the future,” she said. “I would love to run my own barn or do something with horses in the future.”