A Farewell Party for Ed Joyce
When the Santa Barbara Trail Riders heard that Ed Joyce was moving from the Santa Ynez Valley to Connecticut, President Mike Klinger rounded up a herd of cowboys that included Mike McClelland, Russell Drake, Dave Jamieson, Jeff Johnston, Tom Davidson, Jeff Nelson, Lloyd Godlis, Bob Mainer, Ken Mang, Aaron Schwarzwalter, Oliver Dixon, Jerry Langager, Til Courson, Erling Pohls, Ken Mang, Joe Olla and Si and Josiah Jenkins. They took A.J. Spurs Restaurant hostage and had a party. It’s a perfect place with a party room full of bits and spurs and western décor.
“Some of the things that I will really miss, will be riding on beautiful Valley ranches, sitting around the campfires listening to wonderful music and the unmatchable camaraderie,” said Ed.
Ed and his wife, Maureen, will be living in a home overlooking a beautiful lake that is not far from their daughter Brenda. The Joyces lived here in the Valley for almost 20 years. Ed was very active in civic groups and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Valley Foundation. He was a member of Ranchero Visitadores, was president of Solvang’s Breakfast Rotary, was on the Board of the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center and the Santa Ynez Historical Society. (Along with Linda Paich Grimm and Neil Kennedy, Ed brought the Vaquero show to the museum). He was M.C. at the Carriage Classic, the Old Santa Ynez Days Parade, and announced the arrival of the RV’s aboard their horses and wagons for the blessing at the Mission for eight years. He’ll be greatly missed.
Valleyites are Widely Known
“Wherever there is a major horseshow in the US, there’s a good chance that people know about the Santa Ynez Valley!” Valley resident, Greg Simon told me recently. And he ought to know as he not only has been attending many of these big shows but he often takes a whole group of friends with him. “One of the most notable shows is the Timed Events Champions of the World in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Here twenty of the best cowboys in the world compete and it is by invitation only,” says Greg. You’ll be impressed to know that local residents, Tony and Luke Branquinho, are among those cowboys.
Greg is on the West coast committee of the famous Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. He will bring his expertise in western riding to the park which is expanding its interests in that direction. Greg will also be promoting the Kentucky Horse Park at the European Games.
Some of Greg’s personal conquests include his Champion Heeling Horse- King of the Hen House that qualified for the title of Super Horse, a few years back and his World Champion Roping horse Tim Tam Jack. Tim’s sister Tim Tam Jackie captured the title of World Champion Heeling Horse.
Another Valley resident, Christine Metz, represents Arabian Horses for the western part of the U.S. on the Kentucky Horse Park Committee.
Santa Ynez Gains Another World Champion Rider; 14 Yr Old Joie Coxon
The Santa Ynez Valley is known for its Champion riders and now it has another World Champion to add to its glory. Miss Joie Coxon, who just turned fourteen, brought home the title of National Reined Cow Horse World Champion Youth Limited Horse and Rider.
After successfully competing in Santa Barbara County shows for two years where she and her Quarter Horse picked up a number of championships, Joie competed in the World Championship Show in Stephenville, Texas in February of this year. The competition was tough as top youth riders from ten different states came together to vie for the world title. NRCHA affiliate groups from around the world compete all year long, to be invited to this prestigious show.
Joie was teamed up with Gallo de Diablo, her seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. “He is very intelligent and has an aristocratic manner,” says Joie. “He’s an all-around great athlete with big stops and has a great work ethic with cattle. This horse always tries as hard as he can.” He was trained and shown by David Hanson, then later by Dick Randall and his trainer Thad Carr before we bought him.”
Gallo de Diablo has earned almost $9000.00 in NRCHA, NRHA and AQHA. Joie came home from Texas with a beautiful custom made saddle, lots of green stuff, and a number of wonderful prizes. She was the season’s number one money earner with only four shows.
Her parents Mark and Jennifer Coxon have a plumbing business in the Valley. Joie sincerely thanks her family and mentors John and Shannon McCarty, Mark Luis, Dick Randall and Thadd Carr. This young lady just loves this horse and is inspired to pursue a career in the horse industry in the future.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Hosted by the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum Parks-Janeway Carriage House
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum Celebrated its 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 16th. Mrs. Bashforth, executive director hosted about 80 people who attend this fun event. Guest included people from the Santa Ynez Valley. The event featured Mr. Bob Herdman’s famous relished Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Everyone enjoyed participating in the sing-along Irish music and jokes while awaiting the special presentation from the Santa Barbara Claddad Dancers. They were a hit.
Country Western Night at the Maverick
Henry Becker & Team Honky Tonk Band packed the house at The Maverick Saloon with approximately 200 people in Santa Ynez on the March 17th St. Patrick’s Day event. The club hosts a Country Western music night every week, see our events section for more fun times at the Maverick.
Taste of Solvang
March 17th
The 15th annual food and wine festival sometimes better known as the “Walking Smorgasbord” because of the abundance of food set out for guest at the event offered visitors and passerby’s tastes of the City.