Celebrating Buckaroo Life
and the Buckaroo state of mind

~ some serious, some educational, some for fun ~
to submit link email Weblackey; family oriented only





Buckaroo Man by Dave Stamey -
performed and recorded live at Tales from the Tavern
(at The Taproom in Buellton, Calif.) - Feb. 21, 2007.

Bad News; Rustlers are riding the Great Basin
By Jeff Barnard, Associated Press Writer – Sun Jan 3, 2010

Ranch and Reata Radio (high speed internet needed)	Code of the West
	Cowboy Poetry
	Old Tyme "Buckaroo Sport"

Sage Horsemanship, "Riding in lightness, collection on a loose rein, skillful and humane cow work, reata or vaquero style ranch roping - these are the things that make up the horsemanship called Californio. Contrary to popular belief, there is no official definition of what a vaquero, a buckaroo, a Californio, truly is. The local definitions change a little bit for each community, all the way up Alta California, all across the country and around the world. Furthermore, every hundred years or so even the local definitions somehow get adapted to the thinking of the day. This web site seeks to discover, discuss and define the traditional Californio and the modern Californio. Without abandoning the considerations of generations past, new definitions attempt to capture the flavor of the Californio of today, even if some of the ingredients are not true to historical fact. In it's most refined form the Californio rider is costumed in the vaquero/caballero (Californio) tradition, the catch rope is long (often sixty feet or more) and the tack is Spanish/Moorish - but the horse holds his head up similar to a dressage horse. The jaquima or bridle and bit are what is appropriate for the horse and it's level of training - with the single most important feature that the reins are held slack - the collection is obtained on a loose rein and the horse ridden from signals rather than through leverage and force. Please feel free to join in and participate in the understanding of a new (old) style of riding." ~ Bob Sagely (water color by Mark Kohler Studio)





Buckaroo Country. Photos by Mary Williams Hyde. Graphic Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, Tourism/Event Promotion, Buckaroo Photography, Commercial Photography, Fund Raising & more. Klamath Falls, Oregon tel: 541 883-7456; email. Mary attends many Vaquero roping and ranch rodeos. Mary has built a large archive of authentic buckaroo theme photography, and her website has lots of interesting links. MOST photos on this page are hers and are copyrighted.
(James Shoshone pictured here.)







Cowboy Showcase, Home of the Western Spirit. Photography by Lee Raine, articles by by Mike Laughlin, etc. Stay in touch with the western spirit, read about, and see authentic people, places, gear, and traditions of cowboys and buckaroos, past and present. Lee's website is a collection of both cowboy & buckaroo information, including photography, articles, Western cowboy tales or poems, recipes, art work, craft, horses & ranches; lots of links, including Cowboy Etiquette, Cowboy Glossary of Terms, etc.





Chris LeDoux. 1948 - 2005; Tougher than the Rest. Cowboy, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, CMA awarded Musician, Artist, a man of integrity & passion, missed by all who met him.





Dave Stamey. Cowboy musician and entertainer. "We like to think of this music as a celebration of shared heritage, and appreciation of the West as both a place and a state of mind." He's been awarded the Male Performer of the Year by the Western Music Association and is a three-time nominee for Songwriter of the Year. One of his most popular songs is "Buckaroo Man." (photo from website) Here's a great quote from Dave: "It’s A Good Life: We saw a large swath of this nation in 2007, including Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, a couple of trips to Missouri, back and forth to Colorado and Utah several times—and the most rewarding part of it all was that the incredible beauty of this country is matched only by the friendliness and the smiles of its people. In every state we visited, in every town, there were open hands and open hearts. We don’t know what nasty little rugs the media looks under to find their constant gloom and doom, but don’t believe it for a second. America and the American Family are still alive and well, even if CNN or the major metropolitan newspapers won’t admit it."







Ian Tyson The Legendary Ian Tyson Official Website - offers news, awards, albums, reviews, and audio samples. "At the inaugural Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1983, a small coterie of saddle makers, rawhide braiders, cowboy poets and pickers discovered one another in this small cowtown in northern Nevada. Tyson was invited to perform his "new western music" and the overwhelming response at Stockman's Casino brought Tyson the realization that he had found his true audience." Canadian Ian Tyson has recorded a number of songs about buckaroos and their life. Photo from his website.








Adrian "Buckaroo Girl," "is a young singer-songwriter whose life and music is centered on cowboying. She starts colts, builds gear and works the ranch with her family. Her songs are about buckarooing today, the ranches and landmarks of Elko County and California, and her love of the ranching life. Adrian debuted her first CD, Highway 80, during the 2008 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering." ~ from National Cowboy Poetry Gathering site







Waddie Mitchell, buckaroo poet & humorist, at one time managed a 36,000 acre ranch in Lee-Jiggs, Nevada. In 1984, Waddie helped organize the internationally recognized Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering; in 1994, he founded the Working Ranch Cowboy Association with a mission of creating scholarships and crisis funds for working cowboys and their familes.

Before you go to any of the events listed, be sure to call ahead
or visit their website to check for any changes in their schedule.
To add or report any changes or corrections email Weblackey.

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is held annually in January at the Western Folklife Center located in Elko Nevada. (photo of Baxter Black, cowboy poet & humorist, taken at 2003 Cowboy Poetry Gathering by Chris Simon) Other Elko Activities During the Gathering

Baxter Black's website






Ranch Hand Rodeo  since 1989. Annual Ranch Hand Rodeo and Ranch, Rope & Performance Horse Sale, March 3 - 7, 2010 Winnemucca Events Complex - Winnemucca, Nevada. Winnemucca's Ranch Hand Rodeo is the largest and most exciting in Nevada. 30 teams compete for bragging rights and prizes in Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Wild Mugging, Team Roping, Ranch Doctoring and Team Branding. Also, cow dog trials, and a Western Trade Show, Horse Sale, Stock Horse Challenge. Photo is Justin Wright.






The Californios The official site of The Californios Ranch Roping & Stock Horse Contest, previously held annually each spring in Red Bluff, California: LOCATION CHANGED! April 30-May 2, 2010 Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center – Reno, Nevada. “The Californios” is a unique, one of a kind competition featuring events that mimic the real life working situations of the buckaroo. It is not a ranch rodeo... The stock handling techniques of “Old California” and the Great Basin buckaroo are proudly represented. All horses in all facets of the competition must be ridden in traditional gear. The stock horse contest features horses trained in these disciplines (Hackamore, Two rein and “straight up in the bridle”). The events at “The Californios” are original and uniquely designed to promote the correct training and handling of horses and cattle in a traditional, time honored fashion." Includes sales of The Californios DVDs. Shown here, photo of "Big Medicine" or bull doctoring event; Galen Taylor ropes a bull deep at The Californios, Colt Shields in the background. Photo credit: event photos; F. Chehu.

Burns pre-Jordan Valley Event Ranch Saddle Bronc Riding & Big Loop; Burns Oregon.

most photos on this page are by Mary Williams Hyde unless otherwise indicated.











Big Loop Rodeo, Jordan Valley, Oregon, 3rd weekend in May, Since 1962. [52nd Annual Event Dates: May 14 - 16, 2010]. Big Loop, saddle bronc, stock saddle bronc, bull riding, barrel racing, cow riding, Jr steer riding, team roping, calf roping. Saddle horns must be dry leather wrapped only.










Lovelock Ranch Rodeo; Saddle Bronc • Team Branding • Team Roping • Calf Roping • Big Loop Cow Roping • Ranch Doctoring • Ranch Horse Class; June 5-6 2010. Contact Phil and Sandy Miller, 775-273-7359. Tub Blanthorn in photo.










Minden Ranch Rodeo: The saddle series with 8 events. Held annually in June (12-13, 2010) at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Pinenut Road, Gardnerville, NV. Contact: Dan Nalder at 775-690-9276. Photo of Phil Miller.










McDermitt Ranch Rodeo July 4th weekend. McDermitt Nevada. For more info, contact Rodeo Secretary– Reina Youngberg 775-421-8890.

Photo is Chris Baird up.










Silver State Stampede  July 8 - 10, 2010, Elko, Nevada. "The legend lives on! The Silver State Stampede Association is working to keep alive over sixty years of Nevada rodeo heritage, the oldest professional rodeo in the state, with an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. The tradition of Elko’s annual rodeo started in 1913 when GS Garcia, the world-famous bit, spur, and saddle maker, decided that northern Nevada cowboys needed a rodeo, and the town needed the added entertainment and income. The Stampede is extremely unique in that it is the only professional rodeo to offer Garcia spurs to event winners."









Harney County Ranch Rodeo, Harney County Fairgrounds, Burns, Oregon. July 10 2010. Team Branding, Ranch Doctoring, Wild Cow Milking, Muley Roping, Horse Roping, Bronc Riding. $5 Admission, 10 yrs. and under FREE Rodeo Secretaries Cliff and Peggy 541-573-2863.











Yamsi Traditional Ranch Roping Clinic with Scott Grosskopf and Traditional Ranch Roping Event, July 15 - 18, 2010 Contact John and Jerri Hyde, Yamsi Ranch, 541 783-3008.













Masten Ramsey Cow Horse Classic & Ranch Rodeo, July 16 - 18 2010 at the Alturas Livestock Complex Alturas, CA. Lori Galvin 530-233-3345.













Paisley Ranch Rodeo, last weekend of July, contact Cleve Anseth.


Photo of Jody Cooper.













"Vaquero Fiesta," July 31- August 1, Alturas CA. Organized by Richard Caldwell and Pat Puckett, held at the Caldwell Ranch... vendors, traditional ranch roping competition. Will be featuring Dave Stamey in Concert Saturday evening; for more info contact Kim Kinnear 818-521-4554.

Photo of Richard Caldwell Feb 2009.

The Buckaroo Heritage Western Art Roundup. Held annually over the Labor Day weekend [Labor Day is 1st Monday in Sept; so usually is the end Aug - first Sept] in Winnemucca NV, separate from, but in conjunction with, the Buckaroo Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. This is a gathering, show & sale by many of the greatest western painters, sculptors & artisans in the country. A fun gathering complete with prime rib dinner, old-time cowboy music and poetry readings, wine-tasting, demonstrations, a Quick-Draw, and a judged art show. Artists donate work to an art auction, from which proceeds benefit the Roundup, which also helps support the Buckaroo Hall of Fame. Here you will find braided rawhide reatas, silver bits & spurs, saddles, jewelry, home decor, leatherwork, buckaroo gear, horsehair mecates, drawings, paintings & sculptures by master artists & artisans. Call Carl for more info (541) 573-2921 or email: Carl@BuckarooHallofFame.com.





Winnemucca Fair & Stampede; Tri-County Fair. Labor Day Weekend... "Winnemucca's Wildest Weekend has something for everyone... Come see why this is Nevada's oldest continuous rodeo. Advance tickets are $8.00 for adults ($10.00 at the door) and $2.00 for children 6-12 ($4.00 at the door), and children 5 & under get in free. Don't forget, the Rodeo will be held inside the Indoor Event Center this year. Sanctioned by the ICA (Idaho Cowboys Association), and the CCPRA (California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association). Also: Tri-County Fair & Carnival & the Western Art Roundup which features artists, poets, craft people and inductees into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame, as well as demonstrations and buckaroo poetry readings." Buckaroo Breakfast: Saturday September 5, 2009, Sunday September 6, 2009, 7am - 11am; Resources Facility - West Hall- Kitchen. Contact  Tri-County Fair, 50 W Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445; 775-623-5071 Ext. 102; email Darrel@Winnemucca.com






Elko County Fair. Held annually on Labor Day weekend, a family tradition. All fair activities plus Stockhorse; Roping, Branding & Sorting - and Nevada Stallion Stakes; NSS & NRCHA Bridle Classes, Snaffle & Hackamore classes. 775-0738-3616






Harney County Fair and Race-Meet is the weekend after Labor Day. Contact Don Slone (541) 573-6166.





Van Norman Stockhorse Challenge - 3 Event - Rein, Cow, Rope. Held in September - Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nevada.






Big Loop Rodeo's Owyhee Rope & Ride, Jordan Valley, Oregon, late September, Since 1998. Featuring cow dog trials, stock saddle bronc riding, horse and muley roping. Contact Mike Hanley for information: 541-586-2216
Photo of working stockdog, a Kelpie, "Nyes Tuff," from website.







Lyon County Ranch Rodeo, Lyon County Fairgrounds Arena, usually 3rd weekend of September in Yerington, NV. "Will feature a ranch style saddle bronc competition this year" announces Lindsey Stockton, Lyon County Fair Board member. The event is a CCPRA event and brings some of the best ropers and riders to the town of Yerington, 80 miles southeast of Reno, Call 775-463-6509. Miles & Wally Blossom.








Vaquero Days Western Heritage Festival, La Fiesta de los Californios - Vaquero Days... started in 1992, an annual gathering to celebrate our Vaquero heritage. Held in Descanso, CA in mid October (16-18 2009). Last year they had Dave Stamey Concert, Ranch Horse competition, Ranch Roping, demonstrations, music and poetry, Horsemanship Demonstrations, gymkhana, barbeque and even dog trials & rawhide braiding clinics - and as always great buckaroo vendors and sponsors will be there.







 Old California Reata Roping  Established in 2005, this event is held annually in mid October at the historic Rancho Santa Marguarita combining traditional Californio style horsemanship and reata roping. The rancho surrounds the little town of Santa Margarita, California, which is located approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, about 8 miles north of San Luis Obispo. "A reata is more than a rawhide rope - it exemplifies history and embodies a way of life... 'They were not the rough-and-ready type of roper, riding up close and slapping the loop on any old way to get the job done. They were what you might call the 'artist' type. They took pride in the way they cast their loops...' "These reatas...were truly works of art. A good reata is a very tricky thing to make, and few people have any idea of the knowledge and artistry employed in producing a top string. They are braided with various numbers of strands, four, six, or eight... The eight-strand rope is preferred for ease of manipulation and, if braided by an expert, can be a thing of sheer beauty." ... "From the first cowboy, the American vaquero, who roped and rode the ranges of Alta California in 1769, to legendary horseman and reata ropers such as Bill Dorrance, we continue to make an attempt to preserve and protect the the heritage of Old California."






The Paso Gathering; featuring Western artists & artisans: Western Gear, Trappings, Art Show & Sale, held annually the first part of November, (Nov 5-7 2010) in the Pioneer Museum, Paso Robles, CA








Santa Ynez Vaquero Show & Sale held annually at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in Santa Ynez CA, early November; features selected makers & collectors, dinner w/ auction, live demos, music, museum exhibits.











Heber City's Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Buckaroo Fair, With great guests & entertainers, annual event held in mid November (2-7, 2010) in Heber City, UT includes cowboy poetry, ranch rodeo, clinics, workshops, western wares, cowboy church, BBQ, buckaroo dance, and more. Our Mission: "To promote the cowboy way of life through music, poetry and art by holding an annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Buckaroo Fair and by giving back to the community along the way." 2004 Heber Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Buckaroo Fair Poster.








World Championship Ranch Rodeo, held annually in mid November at the Amarillo Civic Center, Amarillo, Texas.

Western States Ranch Rodeo Association (WSRRA) is a new "Ranch Rodeo Association for the working man" started by Marc Page, who lives in Woodbridge, CA. He called Mary Williams Hyde to announce this new association, and wants to get the word to all ranch rodeo participants and organizers in the Great Basin that this could be the organization for our region, the one that pulls everyone together to provide sanctioned events and a point tracking system that leads to regional championships at the end of the season. Marc has deliberately structured this organization to not only include working ranch teams but also the average "weekend" cowboy, working men and women. That would make it possible for everyone who loves ranch rodeo to have an opportunity to compete in sanctioned ranch rodeo events. That would be unlike the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) which is strictly for full time working ranch folks he tells me. WSRRA will adhere to the same "rules" that you are used to, like no rubber on the horns, no tie-downs etc. We hope that everyone who organizes ranch rodeos will get in touch with Marc and help him shape this organization so that it really works for the region. His number is 916-296-2326 or email him. Check out the WSRRA website.





Northern Range Ranch Roping Series. (Montana & Wyoming) The goal of the NRRRS is to promote a form of roping that encourages low stress roping with proper horsemanship and stockmanship, employing a variety of functional and, sometimes, fancy loops. To this end, the NRRRS sponsors ranch roping clinics and events to teach and promote this style of roping.
Scott Grosskopf, President, Ed Disney, Vice-President, Dawn Shryock, Sec-Treas., also, Buck Brannaman, Dean Delp, Arne Esp, Dick Grosskopf, Clint Johannes, Bob Lile, Charlie Mackay, Salvador Madrigal, Paul Woods.
Scott Grosskopf, buckaroo in Montana








Canadian Ranch Roping Association



Working Ranch Cowboys Association



NVRHA, National Versatility Ranch Horse Association



American Ranch Horse Association



photo (right) taken at the M C Dispersal Sale in the early 90's, Adel, Oregon by Mary Williams Hyde






Museums USA


Nevada Museums Association





Western Folklife Center: Tools of the Trade, Resources & Links. The Western Folklife Center is a museum in Elko Nevada that not only holds the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, but has exhibits and preserves history of the west including the buckaroo: "Over the past twenty years the West has seen a renaissance of artistic expression emerge from its ranching neighbors. Traditions of reciting poetry, making music, sharing stories, and creating tools of the trade..." are Western art forms of today. photo from website by Jan Boles








Center for Cowboy Ethics & Leadership "is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the belief that everyone needs a code... a creed to live by. Inspired by the working cowboy's core principles of honesty, loyalty, and courage, we aim to bring the simple, timeless values embodied in the Code of the West back to the fore of American life. Founded in 2006 by Jim Owen, the Center is registered as a non-profit corporation in New Mexico."







Rancho Californio Preserving the Horse of the Conquest ~ Horse of the Vaquero ~ Californio Horse ~ Imported from Spain in the 1500 & 1600’s, Colonial-era Spanish Horses played a vital role in the exploration and colonization of the Americas. They thrived in California, nurtured by careful Rancho breeding programs. The War Horse of the Conquistadors became the Cow Horse of the Vaqueros, trained to manage millions of fiercely unruly cattle that roamed New Spain. photo from website




The Spanish Horse, compiled by Donald Chavez Y Gilbert, "There are many conservators of the Spanish Barb horses and in an effort to include the families who have dedicated their entire lives to this preservation effort we have included an article written by the recognized authority Dr. Phillip Sponenberg and the list of nationally recognized groups who are also preserving this rare breed."





Hancock Horse Breeders Group. Central website for Hancock Horses, w/ breeder directory, old photos, articles, and information about this historical foundation bloodline. Hancock horses are the kind that cowboys rode yesterday, and still ride today when they have work to do; they are tall, tough, ranch & desert horses; big circle horses with a big foot and bone, speed, cow and catty athleticism. The good Hancocks are intelligent, no-bottom horses with big work ethic & easy going attitudes.






Great Basin Curly Horse Buckaroos: The Dameles Cowboy Showcase article by Mike Laughlin. Eureka, Nevada, first settled in 1864, is located in the heart of wild horse country in central Nevada. This town is sometimes called the home of the hypoallergenic North American Curly Horse. This remote ranching and mining town is also named the Loneliest Town on the Loneliest Road in America, U.S. Highway 50. The surrounding Great Basin countryside is a high-altitude cold desert dominated by sagebrush flats and surrounded by steep mountains. Only the strongest people and animals survive this harsh environment. Curly horses have always been seen running with the mustangs in Eureka County, Nevada. When the Damele family began using them on their ranch in the 1930's, history was made. From Cowboy Showcase. If you are allergic to horses, get a Curly Horse.

  Last Buckaroo by Mackey Hedges. Published in 1995, The Last Buckaroo has been out of print since 1997. We would like to express our thanks to the many friends that have helped in bringing this Classic Western Novel back to the shelf and to all those dedicated to preserving our Western Heritage. Publishers' Weekly said of Mackey, '"a buckaroo himself," he spins a colorful yarn about 20th-century cowboys reminiscent of The Rounders.' The novel stands on its own as a classic and unique story of an American way of life honoring the Western Lifestyle. Last Buckaroo has been honored as a Winner of the National Cowboy Symposium Working Cowboy Award and the Mormon Letter Fiction Award."
      "Most Cowboy stories are written by 'western writers.' Less commonly you will find cowboy stories written by a literate cowboy. Big difference." ~ Baxter Black.
      "And speaking of honoring…we have changed the book's cover to become a tribute to one of America's greatest Western artists and sweethearts, Joelle Smith. A few years back, Joelle left this world far too early, at the age of 47. She was a big fan of Mac and of his book and had offered the use of her gorgeous piece Riata Man as cover art in the event the book was ever reprinted. We decided to take her up on her offer and share her legacy with all those who come in contact with this book. When I contacted Joelle's mother to tell her we'd like to do this, she was touched, and mentioned that we might be interested in an additional collection of prints for use throughout the chapters."




Cowboy ~ Vaquero. The New Mexico Hispanic Culture Preservation League. Website study program & eBook, including an extensive Vaquero/Cowboy Lingo; a pdf dictionary by Donald Chavez Y Gilbert. Also includes National Day of the Cowboy.









Eclectic Horseman. This is a printed & online bi-monthly magazine featuring horsemanship & subject matter favored and read by many buckaroos and horsemen who appreciate advanced western horsemanship. Info for horse owners of all skill levels.











Cowboy Magazine, published from 1990 to 2008. A publication that was "dedicated to telling the story of the authentic working cowboy ... exceptional men, performing a highly specialized and sometimes dangerous job for very little monetary return. Their reward comes from working on the land, with horses and cattle, and knowing they were part of an elite fraternity of men."






Vaqueros, Cowboys, and Buckaroos by Lawrence Clayton, Jim Hoy, and Jerald Underwood; 2001. . 296 pp., 163 b&w photos, paperback. Jerald Underwood, of Uvalde, Texas, is a published authority on the vaquero.
     "Herding cattle from horseback has been a tradition in northern Mexico and the American West since the Spanish colonial era. The first mounted herders were the Mexican vaqueros, expert horsemen who developed the skills to work cattle in the brush country and deserts of the Southwestern borderlands. From them, Texas cowboys learned the trade, evolving their own unique culture that spread across the Southwest and Great Plains. The buckaroos of the Great Basin west of the Rockies trace their origin to the vaqueros, with influence along the way from the cowboys, though they, too, have ways and customs distinctly their own.
     In this book, three long-time students of the American West describe the history, working practices, and folk culture of vaqueros, cowboys, and buckaroos. They draw on historical records, contemporary interviews, and numerous photographs to show what makes each group of mounted herders distinctive in terms of working methods, gear, dress, customs, and speech. They also highlight the many common traits of all three groups." As you can see, understanding, theories & opinions vary among descriptions having to do with the origins, history & definition of the Buckaroo. The basics are well covered in this book however, offered on this webpage by the University of Texas Press. But you should be able to find it from several sources.




Western Horseman Magazine. World's leading horse nagazine since 1936. An invaluable resource for generations of North American horsemen.







The Working Horse. A Monthly Publication for the performance horse and rider since 1997.


Paul Davis of the Alvord Ranch is the rider of the black horse ... this photo was taken at the M C Dispersal Sale in the early 90's; Adel, Oregon, by Mary Williams Hyde.





Views of a Western Way of Life (Vaqueros)
     Buckaroos in Paradise: Ranching Culture in Northern Nevada, 1945-1982, Library of Congress.
     "In the Great Basin range cattle industry, the vaqueros came first--not Anglo or black cowboys, but Hispanic Californio horsemen."
     "The word 'Buckaroo' sprang from the Spanish word 'Vaquero,' as you know 'V' is pronounced 'B.' ...The word Vaquero was used much more than Buckaroo, finally it was corrupted to Buckaroo. The Spanish word originated many, many years before this country was settled. The early Spanish Grant owners in California used the word for their herdsmen and horsemen in the time of the first settling of California when it was still owned by Mexico. . . The Spanish style and custom of working cattle spread into Nevada, Oregon and Idaho. Hence the Vaqueros or Buckaroos came with them."
     Lots of information, some debatable, written without internal understanding, but these essays do include some good history, facts & theories. Photo from website.






DVD The Highly Exalted "documents the life of working cowboys on the last horse-drawn chuckwagon in modern America. Shot against the spectacular backdrop of northern Nevada, nine cowboys and their cook tell colorful stories of six months roaming the half million acre ranch where they work. These are some of Americas last true cowboys. They are horse-back specialists: men unwilling to do the haying and maintenance work and who are not looking for job security or a permanent home. The Highly Exalted presents a vestige of the past, a portrait of a nearly extinct way of cowboy life."








J & S Productions offers a series of DVDs about the Vaquero. The most common critique from buckaroos watching these films is that they don't include enough footage on real tradition & technique - roping and horsemanship - to satisfy, and being filmed and edited by outsiders, instead opt to show a lot of scenery, music and off-subject matter. But these films are included here since most folks who are interested in Vaquero ways, will probably have seen them.

1. TAPADERO - "California’s vaqueros are considered some of the finest horseman in the world. Mild weather and isolation gave the vaqueros plenty of time to train their horses. The skills they developed were handed down from generation to generation. Tapadero gives an overview of this history, goes into the fine details of the vaquero way (the use of the hackamore, the spade bit and reata roping) and provides the viewer a colorful look at the vaquero — his dress, his gear, and the fine artisans who produce it. The viewer also gets a taste of the ranch life and the awe-inspiring California scenery. 82 minutes."
   
   
2. THE REMUDA - "The evolution of the buckaroo has a fascinating history. It began in Alta California over 200 years ago with the Californio Vaquero, then moved northward into the Great Basin when the California ranchos were fenced out. The Remuda takes us from the rolling hills of California to the sagebrush sea of Nevada and Oregon, where everything is bigger and wilder, an environment that is aptly named, America’s Outback. 92 minutes."
   
   
3. HOLO HOLO PANIOLO - "Holo holo in Hawaiian, means to get around and that's what this documentary is all about. Filmed on five Hawaiian islands, it takes you to the large spreads like Parker Ranch, and to some of the smaller homesteads of the native Hawaiians. It all started in 1833 when King Kamehameha recruited 3 vaqueros from Alta California to train the Hawaiians how to ride, rope and catch the wild cattle. 98 minutes."
   
   
4. HOULIHAN - "Houlihan traces the journey of the vaqueros and buckaroos to the Northern Range, where they met up with the Texas Punchers. Horses in this country were wild, tough and mean enough to eat you alive. So it's no wonder this country turns out the best bronc riders. To make a hand here, you have to be able to ride anything with hair on it. That, coupled with the rigors of winter make the Northern Range Cowboy a breed of its own. The Cowboy vs Vaquero Way... In Montana, two cultures met and out of it came the Northern Range cowboy. John Moore, Wally & Brett Badgett offer their laid back and hilarious observations about these two cowboy breeds who do the same job, but with different philosophies. 96 minutes."
   
   
5. LOS PRIMEROS - THE FIRST VAQUEROS - Fifteen Centuries. Three Continents. The making of the Californio Vaquero was a long journey from the Moors, to Spain, to Mexico, culminating in Alta California... "The vaquero and his horse move as one. Perfectly in tune as they read each other’s minds and souls. He shakes out his reata. Builds his loop. And tosses a perfect “del viento.” laying the calf down like a babe in a manger. Who is this man who sits his horse like a king on a throne? He is the horseman whose skills were honed in Alta California a couple of centuries ago. The best of these proud Vaqueros earned the title of “Californio.” With his gentle hands and lightning-fast spade bit horse, he was the best of all reinsmen in the West. And his lingo, albeit Americanized now, hints at his beginnings. The Spanish “dar la vuelta” (take a turn around the horn) became “dally.” “Jaquima” became “hackamore” and “la reata” became “lariat.” And while he adjusted to life in this new land, his beginnings on the other side of the ocean would always be a part of him. It had been a long journey — 15 centuries — back to the Moors of North Africa and their nimble Barb horses. It was in Spain, where the blending of Moorish and Spanish horse cultures laid the groundwork for the bridle horse that was the hallmark of these superb reinsmen. And in Mexico, the underpinnings for roping and handling cattle on the open range would evolve. But it was in California that it all came together. Where the secrets of training horses through centuries of practice came full flower. And the hackamore, romal reins and spade bit were refined. These were the Californios. The best horsemen in the world. Los Primeros. Filmed in Spain, Mexico and throughout the American West."
   
   

Coming soon from the Buckaroo Hall of Fame:
1st hardback book, "Buckaroo Legends 1"

Scheduled to go to print this year (2009), this will be the first edition of collectible Buckaroo Legend books, featuring complete biographies and photos of the first 70 or so buckaroos that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The 2nd book "Buckaroo Legends 2" will follow later with the next 25 members, and so forth. Email for info.

Doma Vaquera. Spain. "This website has been developed in response to demand for more information about Doma Vaquera, this noble Spanish art of horsemanship, to be made available on the Internet, especially for those that do not speak Spanish. Doma Vaquera is one of the styles of equitation in Spain, another being Doma Clasica (classical equitation). Doma Vaquera is a style of horse riding which enables the rider to carry out daily duties on horseback on a working cattle ranch and grew out of decades of daily work with cattle in the open countryside. The style of riding, tack, dress and discipline of the working horses evolved into what we see today. It is still being used on working ranches, in Doma Vaquera competition and more recently, Doma de Trabajo (working equitation)." photo from website








DomaVaquera.es, Spain. photo from website










Ranch Academy, Buckaroo enthusiasts in Italy

(email weblackey for any event contact info, updates, changes or corrections) Notes: it is not our intent to advertise here on the links page, but to credit those who are generously contribute to the Buckaroo world of today, who honor the buckaroos of yesterday, and who contribute to this site. We WILL include members' advertising info in the Members' directory! Go there for "who's who in buckaroo" art, saddlery, silver, gear, services etc. If you would like to be listed in our Members' Directory - we want you in there! By all means, please DO become a Member of the Buckaroo Hall of Fame! Webkeeper has made every attempt to contact all possible copyrighted material presented on this website. Some emails bounced. If you have a copyrighted piece featured on this site, please contact me at weblackey@yahoo.com so we can get it approved or make it right. Thanks. Most photos on this page are by Mary Williams Hyde and are (©) unless otherwise indicated. No graphics may be used from this website without express permission from the artist or photographer and the weblackey.

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