Cold rushing winds did not stop the hundreds in attendance at the Augusta Futurity Horse and Carriage Parade downtown Sunday.

Among the many little cowpokes were Bobby Kohler and Samantha Weeks, both 7, who bundled up to see the many horses and wagons traveling down Broad Street.

"I love horses, even though I can't move right now," Samantha said as she and Bobby huddled under a blue blanket at the corner of Broad and Eighth streets.

"I like the miniature horses a lot, but I don't when they bite me," Bobby said.

Other children, wearing little cowboy and cowgirl hats, chased after the ice cream truck despite the chilly temperatures.

Broad Street from Fourth to 12th streets was filled with people, disturbing the normally quiet Sunday downtown.

"We missed it last year," said Mark Burkhart of Martinez, who attended the event with his wife, Roberta. "We've always wanted to come for something like this."

The parade featured the Budweiser Clydesdales and a reproduction of an 1880 stagecoach once used to transport guests to the Crawford House Hotel in New Hampshire.

Many other riders from throughout the area took to Broad Street, traveling the parade route to its end at the Augusta-Richmond Civic Center on Seventh Street, where bands played country music and vendors displayed their wares.

Proceeds from the parade will be donated to therapeutic-riding organizations that aim to help disabled people enjoy physical and emotional benefits from interaction with horses.

Completing the parade were five Augusta-Richmond County street sweepers, making sure that no horse souvenirs were left on the city streets.

The parade has launched the Augusta Futurity since its inception in 1991. The Futurity continues through Saturday.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or at jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.