ABILENE, Texas — A new women-led group in Abilene is bringing trail ride culture, stepping and line dancing to the Big Country even without horses.
Founder and CEO Tracey Green said the goal was to bring something positive to Abilene. (KTXS/Caitlin Leggett)
Royal G Trailblazers, described as what appears to be the area's first-ever trail ride and stepping group, was created to give women a place to connect through culture and community. Founder and CEO Tracey Green said the goal was to bring something positive to Abilene.
“This is part of our culture. So, I wanted to bring something positive here to Abilene where a group of women can come together. Bonds, sisterhood. And it's all about unity,†Green said.
Members of the group balance careers and family life, but come together as a single unit when they put on their uniforms.
Trail rides have existed for generations as a way for groups to ride horseback and celebrate community. Green explained that traditional trail rides begin with horses and a planned route, often through neighborhoods, with steppers performing at designated stopping points.
“Trailride, it starts out with horses, which I don’t have. So you start out on horses and you map out somewhere where you like,†Green said. “Like back in the days you go through neighborhoods on horses. And so your steppers would be on there and then you have a stopping point to where you will, stop in the, in the steppers will get off and they will perform.â€
Abilene's new trail ride and stepping group brings women together through culture (KTXS/Caitlin Leggett)
In recent years, the culture surrounding trail rides including stepping and line dancing has become more accessible, with social media trends helping spread it beyond traditional horseback rides. From “Boots on the Ground†gaining popularity online to local performances in Abilene, the Royal G Trailblazers are working to introduce that tradition in the region.
About three months ago, Green, hailing from Colorado City and now Abilene native, reached out to a group of women to form the organization. Group President Nicole Sykes said the invitation gave them a chance to do something they enjoyed but hadn't experienced before.
“So when Tracy reached out to us, we was like, ‘Oh yeah, that's good,' because we love to dance. So, it gave us a chance to do something we love, but never really had the experience of doing before,†Sykes said.
Sykes said members who once stayed home now practice throughout the week and perform on weekends, sharing trail ride culture “one line dance at a time.â€
The group's name also carries personal meaning. Green said it honors family members she has lost. Sykes explained the “Royal G†name is tied to Green's late grandmother.
“Royal G is a dedication to Tracy's grandmother. Her last name was Royal, and they called her ‘G.' She was a pioneer, and she basically raised Tracy,†Sykes said.
Green said “4Kut Diamondz†is named in honor of her son, who died last year. “I'm doing this in dedication for him,†Green said.
Members of the group balance careers and family life, but come together as a single unit when they put on their uniforms. (KTXS/Caitlin Leggett)
The Royal G Trailblazers have already performed at local venues across the area and plan to continue throughout the summer. Members said their mission is about more than dancing it's about building community. They’re accepting new members of the group and people interested can reach out via social media.
“It brings our community out and brings families together, because my family comes to see me,†Sykes said.
Green said the women take pride in representing the group and its purpose.
“The way they speak of the name. They’re proud to be trailblazers,†she said.
