History of the Rodeo (Vaqueros)

Long before the cowboys of the American West drove cattle across the plains, horsemen rode the range in Spanish Mexico. They called themselves vaqueros, from the Spanish word vaca, meaning cow. Vaqueros began herding the cattle of their Spanish masters over five hundred years ago when cattle ran wild in an unfenced landscape. Great cattle ranches owned by wealthy Spanish colonists spread to the wildfrontier regions of New Spain and eventually, in the late 1700s, to Spanish California.

Once or twice a year, the herds roaming the open range were rounded up so they could be counted, sorted, and branded with their owners' marks. These roundups were called rodeos, from the Spanish word rodear, which means "to go around or encircle." A big roundup might cover hundreds of miles, last for weeks, and involve hundreds of vaqueros from neighboring ranches who worked herds in the tens of thousands. These roundups were fraught with danger, so a vaquero's life depended on a well-trained mount and superb horsemanship skills. When the roundups were over, it was an occasion for festivities. Not surprisingly, games of skill and daring based on horsemanship were included in the entertainment. A variety of races, events involving riding wild horses or broncos (from the Spanish word for "rough"), and displays of roping prowess delighted spectators. Today these dangerous tests of courage and skill live on in the world of professional rodeo and an array of western riding sports.

When Old Spanish Days was conceived in 1924, a "Competencia de los Vaqueros" was included as part of the celebration to pay tribute to the enigmatic figure who made California's colorful cattle era possible. Cowboys from local ranches, whose trade preserved the traditions of the vaquero, took part in a Saturday afternoon riding and roping exhibition. The show was held in an arena at Pershing Park, now the site of the Carriage Museum and baseball fields. By the 1930s, the show was renowned throughout the western riding community. The arena was jammed with 5000 rodeo fans eager to watch as 200 entrants from Salinas to San Diego--and even as far away as Montana-- demonstrated their skills at everything from cutting and roping to horseback musical chairs. Will Rogers and his son, Jimmy, were important competitors and supporters of the show.

A quote from a 1937 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press eloquently reports that during Fiesta, "once again the faithful and prized friends of men enjoyed the importance and respect that was theirs in the real Old Spanish Days when a good horse was a man's 'right hand' without which he was powerless to cope with the distance and problems of his frontier environment."

By the 1940s, famed horsemen like Clyde Kennedy, Jimmy Williams, and Channing Peake were among the participants. Local riders like Link Wilson, Ed Field, Ralph Hughes, Kay Dent, and Joe and Ray Yanez claimed top prizes. Monroe Rutherford and Harvey McDonald were on hand as judges.

The show drew so many contestants that classes were divided into Northern and Southern California divisions. Elimination rounds were held on Friday with the finals on Saturday during a five-hour show.

Specialty acts were also included like the Visalia Rockettes, a mounted drill team of girls, and the Onondarka Riders, a group from Los Angeles that performed riding maneuvers at a gallop with no saddles or bridles.

In 1958, the show moved to Earl Warren Showgrounds and a professional rodeo was added. Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association athletes from all over the West take the opportunity to visit scenic Santa Barbara and vie for a piece of "the purse." Earnings from this rodeo can help contestants win enough money to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo held every year in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The stock horse show events have been expanded to include a variety of classes (for Tri-County residents only) giving riders and ropers of all ages and ability levels a chance to show off hard-earned skills. It continues to attract talented riders who hail from the Central Coast. Many ropers and riders grew up watching their idols perform at Fiesta and dreaming of the day when they could try their hand at winning a trophy buckle or saddle.

Another important part of the show is recognition of the Honorary Vaquero. This program was designed to honor someone from the Tri-County ranching community whose everyday deeds exemplify the lifestyle. This year's recipient is Fred Reyes, a true Vaquero of the Californio tradition. He is a direct descendant of the Ortega family, whose land grants in the 1830's stretched along the Gaviota coast from Point Concepcion to Dos Pueblos.

Preservation is not the committee's only mission. Each successful show makes possible contributions to local non-profit organizations.