Weekend event to feature vaquero-style training and
equipment
Though Jane Merrill has lived in the Monterey and San Francisco
Bay Area for most of her life, she said it wasn’t until 15 years
ago that she discovered the history of the vaquero tradition in
training horses, a style brought by Spanish and Mexican cowboys to
California.
”
I realized the importance and significance of following a more
traditional, slower pace style of training bridle horses,
”
she said.
”
It is basically the slower pace, going to the hackamore, with
two-reins
– that originally was carried on by early California
vaqueros.
”
Weekend event to feature vaquero-style training and equipment
Though Jane Merrill has lived in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area for most of her life, she said it wasn’t until 15 years ago that she discovered the history of the vaquero tradition in training horses, a style brought by Spanish and Mexican cowboys to California.
“I realized the importance and significance of following a more traditional, slower pace style of training bridle horses,” she said. “It is basically the slower pace, going to the hackamore, with two-reins – that originally was carried on by early California vaqueros.”
Those interested in California history, or learning more specifically about vaquero-style training or equipment, have a chance to learn more Aug. 21 at Merrill’s inaugural Vaquero Heritage Days at the Casa Maria at the San Juan Bautista Mission.
“There has never been a California mission that has allowed this kind of educational event on their grounds – the same grounds as vaqueros used to work on,” Merrill said. “That’s the uniqueness to it, that the San Juan Bautista Mission and Monterey Diocese allowed this event to take place.”
Merrill first got involved with the vaquero style when she was looking for a way to train her horses.
“When I realized and became acquainted with other Vaquero-style trainers, that’s when it all made sense to me,” Merrill said. “It is a style that personally fits me better … it is more of a partnershi Merrill said the style still is carried on in pockets around California, Nevada, Oregon and other Western states. According to her website, the culture was inherited from the Spanish cavalry, which adopted it from Moorish Jinete. It is believed to have come from the Orient, through Egypt and across the deserts of North Africa into Spain. The Spaniards brought the style with them when they started exploring California and continued it as they built the missions.
The Vaquero Heritage Days event is a chance to showcase the talents of artists, gear makers, silversmiths, historians and horsemen who carry on the tradition, according to Merrill’s site.
Merrill had been involved in an event in Santa Ynez, at the Santa Ynez Historical Museum.
“I became a supporter of that and realized that there had not been a California mission that had actually allowed that type of education artisan show celebrating the Vaquero heritage,” she said. “Since I live in San Juan and have been here 12 years, I am very devoted to bringing as much attention and sharing San Juan with new visitors.”
Since she started promoting the event, she has confirmed ticket holders in seven Western states. In fact the Friday evening gala, for which tickets were available only through advanced sales, was nearly sold out a week before the event. Dave Stamey, a singer/songwriter, will perform during the gala. Stamey received the Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists.
The Saturday event offers a chance for visitors to talk with trainers and see the work of artisans. There will also be two more featured guests. Susan Sember, who worked with the Essential Image Source Foundation to create the film on Vaqueros, will preview her work at the event.
“It’s quite unique to have them agree to be a featured artist at an event like this,” Merrill said. “Normally, the film only shows at large museums and venues.”
Another featured guest is Ray Ordway, who Merrill said will turn 86 during the event.
“A lot of people are coming in support of him,” she said.
Ordway started working with horses at age 13, and learned the Vaquero style from his father who started working with horses at age 14.
“He kept to the old Vaquero style of horse handling, always slow and easy, moving through the stages with the hackamore, two-rein and eventually the spade bit as his horse developed the lightness over the years that is so important for a finished bridle horse,” wrote Merrill, in a biography of Ordway on her website.
There will be music and entertainment throughout the day, along with a Vaquero Horsemanship demonstration from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and a presentation by the California Saddlery with historian Griff Durham, from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A lunch of wood-grilled tri tip, Spanish beans and dessert will be available.
Tickets are $6 for the Saturday event, and were $65 for the opening night gala. Proceeds go to the San Juan Bautista Mission preservation. Raffle tickets will also be sold for $5 each or 5 for $20. The prizes include up to $1,000 in vaquero equipment. Posters with artwork by Jo Mora will also be available. Artist Mora created vaquero-inspired pieces in the late 1900s and early 20th century.
