Vaquqero Horsemanship - Richard Caldwell

 

2012's Event Featured:

California Traditional Vaquero-Style Horseman Richard Caldwell has for many years both practiced and promoted these methods. He learned these vaquero-style methods working as a buckaroo for 30 years on a variety of significant ranches in the west. His abilities allowed him to also compete in the National Reined Cow Horse Assoc (NRCHA) events over the years. He remains the only person to have won the NRCHA Triple Crown Hackamore on a 3-year old. He has trained horses who have gone on to win over a million dollars in cow horse events. For many years he maintained an extensive schedule giving vaquero-style horsemanship clinics throughout North America. Today he limits his clinics to a few chosen locations working with riders who look to improve their knowledge and expertise in the old traditional bridle horse style.

Working cattle on the vast ranches of the 1700 - 1800's has certainly changed, along with the preferred breed of horse used for today's ranch and cow work. However, the traditional vaquero-style training is still practiced by many horsemen who feel there is no better method of paying respect to our heritage than to train and ride a true California bridle horse and have the artful ability of using a riata. Richard looks forward to sharing his knowledge with you.

 Photo by Mary Williams Hyde