POLITICAL OPINIONS

 

Vaquero show and sale fundraiser for SYV Historical Society

 

Ride Vaquero Ride is the title of this year’s fundraiser for the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 9 -- 11. The annual event honors California’s earliest cowboys --- the vaqueros.

 

Noted artisans and collectors from all over the country gather to display and sell items embracing historic California horsemen and ranches.

 

Weekend highlights include: the raffle for a custom-made headstall by Old Cowdogs, embellished with handcrafted conchos and bidding on or buying other unique art; also available will be collectibles, such as handcrafted silver bits and spurs, hand-tooled leather saddles, braided rawhide riatas, bridles, reins, horsehair tack and Western paintings, as well as one-of-a-kind sculptures.

 

Friday’s official branding ceremony will honor heritage ranch sponsors as local cowboy Joe Chaves burns their cattle brands on the doors of the Parks-Janeway Carriage House, permanently weaving the names and marks of their ranches into Santa Ynez history.

 

Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday vaquero show and demonstrations cost $5 per day or $7 for both days and may be purchased in advance or at the door of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society and Museum, 3596 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez (805) 688-7889. Web site: www.syvm.org. Reservations for Friday’s gala dinner are a must.

 

 

 

Honored Vaquera 2007 – Sheila Varian

A Santa Barbara native, horsewoman Sheila Varian has bred generations of award-winning         Varian Arabians.  Her career accomplishments include numerous championships since 1961.              Sheila was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2003.

 

Vaquero Craftsman 2007 – Art Hugenberger

Art began cowboying with Monte Montana’s Western Road Shows as a stunt rider who also maintained tack for the show. A 50-plus year resident of Santa Barbara, Art made saddles for Jedlicka’s and then opened his own shop in Solvang making highly prized custom-made           saddles.

 

Vaquero Artist 2007 – Jack Swanson

Jack Swanson worked as a cowboy for decades before settling down in Carmel to paint and sculpt the horses he rides and trains. Jack’s work is represented in museums and private collections and even hung in the White House during the Reagan presidency.

 

Friday, November 9, 2007

4:00 p.m. -- 7:00 p.m.

Preview party at the Historical Society.  $20.  Early buying privileges, cocktails and

horse” d’oeuvres. Watch noted Western sculptor Pat Roberts at work on a unique auction item.

7:00 p.m. -- 9:30 p.m.

Gala dinner by Cowboy Caterin’ and live auction at Veterans Hall, Solvang. $65 (Price includes the preview party.) Reservations a must.

 

Saturday, November 10, 2007

9:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.

Show opens at the Historical Society.  $5.  Exhibition at 10:30 a.m. features Sheila Varian and her Arabian stock horses.  Ernie Morris will demonstrate hand braiding at 2:00 p.m.

Lunch by Billy and Sue Ruiz • Beverages available

 

Sunday, November 11, 2007

9:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m.

Show opens at the Historical Society. 

$5 ($7 buys both days.)

Linda Kohn and Joseph Sherwood

on Collecting the West at 11:30 a.m.

Lunch by Billy and Sue Rui • Beverages available