Riding under the Huntington Beach Pier usually means while on a surfboard. But on Saturday, weaving between the pillars were dozens of riders on horseback.
And it was all in honor of a fallen police officer.
The Huntington Beach Police Department’s Mounted Enforcement Unit hosted the second annual Nick Vella Memorial Beach Ride on Saturday.
Irvine Police Sgt. Mike Meyers’ horse, Rojo, knows how to smile for the camera as officers get their picture taken during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police pilot Nicholas Vella on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Vella died two years ago in a crash while on duty. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surfers get caught in horseback gridlock on the beach during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It was horse day and horse play on Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Huntington Beach during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella. Vella died two years ago in the line of duty. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Huntington Beach Police Department’s Honor Guard kicks off the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Dozens of officers from around the region took part in the horseback ride along the ocean in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Huntington Beach Police Department’s Honor Guard kicks off the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Dozens of officers from around the region took part in the horseback ride along the ocean in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The second annual Memorial Beach Ride kicks off with a short service for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Dozens of officers from around the region took part in the horseback ride along the ocean in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of horseback riders get ready for the second annual Memorial Beach Ride for fallen Huntington Beach Police helicopter pilot Nicholas Vella in Huntngton Beach on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of horseback riders, including officers from around the region, pay homage to fallen Huntington Beach helicopter pilot Officer Nicholas Vella during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Vella died in a crash while on duty two years ago. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A horse reflects on its shadow before the second annual Memorial Beach Ride in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of horseback riders, including officers from around the region, pay homage to fallen Huntington Beach helicopter pilot Officer Nicholas Vella during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Vella died in a crash while on duty two years ago. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of horseback riders, including officers from around the region, pay homage to fallen Huntington Beach helicopter pilot Officer Nicholas Vella during the second annual Memorial Beach Ride in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Vella died in a crash while on duty two years ago. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Participants moseyed out atop their four-legged friends from the beach parking lot at Tower 19 and traveled along the shore to Tower 8.
Organizers said proceeds from the $350 cost to participate will help establish a fund in Vella’s honor and also help support the mounted unit, other policing needs and officers attending the National Police Officers Memorial. There was also a barbecue lunch at The Huntington Beach House following the ride.
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