Thank you to Richard and Nancy Caldwell, for inviting me to photograph this wonderful event. Dear to me, the traditions, the friends, the ponies, the families, the killer gear...ah, my idea of a blissfull weekend..all these make up this great event. It is one of the highlights of my life, and I thank you.

Welcome to Alturas, nestled in the north east corner of the state of California~ Welcome to The Vaquero Fiesta. Attracting the best traditional ropers in the country..and one or two, came from Europe to compete! This Fiesta~ Still new, only the second year it has been held, and is rapidly becoming a much anticipated event! Featuring traditional roping, as you would see everyday on a working ranch..the names of the loops have a sing-songy connection to the past..Johnny Blocker, Houlihan, Del Viento, side arm, overhead, figure eights..all have a specific pattern, a decided appeal, besides just being "pretty", they are down right practical in a herd situation. Some more fancy then others, but all something to see.. Considering that these "long ropes"..rawhide reatas are 60 feet or longer, you get the drift that these participants are the cream of the crop. If you have never attended an outdoor competition, this is a great place to get your feet wet. Paul Woods, our favorite "mouth" kept busy at the microphone, keeping participants straight, naming the loops thrown, was a wonderful integral part of this event..Jess kept the entire deal rolling, and that is sayin' something..it is a big deal, getting an event like this together..

As you can tell, this weekend event is very family oriented..participation includes kids, kids, and..some of the kids are toddlers..look for Dave Stoddards son, the Reata Man.. one of the delights of the Caldwells, is seeing that these time honored ways, ARE pased along to the next generation. In our hurry up world, this is a refreshing change of pace..horses, and kids are brought along slowly..you'll see Cody Hill, Sterling Grosskopf..Tater-bug, Noah, and GIRLS practicing their loops.

Of course, I am always into horse jewelry, and these boys never disapoint..the gear they use on these horses ~the attention to detail~ there truly is nothing like sunshine on silver. The pride they take in outfitting their horses heralds to the Vaqueros in days of old..brought from that far away time to our present day..we are blessed to see the design and functionality of these pieces today. Always a pleasure to see, Bruce Haners bit work,Blackies rawhide work, saddle makers from Idaho to California represented, as well as Buckaroo Businesses, Buffalo Run Boot Makers..I will list some of the great vendors here, too! We had a blast...

I have just made albums here, with "Saturdays Events", and "Sundays Events"..several folks are building websites from these photos..so it was easiest to do it that way, for right now, for them to mark the ones they want for their websites, and let me know. Special thanks to Kat, and her wild rags, sported by Dwight, Sam and Scott. Many photos taken of the trio, for advertisment photos of the rags. they are darn fun to watch and shoot. In this set of photos, you will find SATURDAY EVENTS all the kids shots, and Progressive loop shots..if you don't find what you like here, make sure you stop at Mary's site..
xoxoxo
p.
some of our great vendors/exhibitors

Alta Saddlery 530-227-8149
Bill Black-Custom Braiding 541-947-5595
Buffalo Run Boot Co. 307-673-4899
Clark Saddle Co. 530-233-4099
Lynda Doyle, Engraver..(silver work) 916-663-3054
Beaver Valley Fiber Arts 509-763-2365
Richard Caldwell Vaquero Gear 530-233-2594
Buckaroo Businesses 406-252-5000
Custom Buckaroo Silver/Pat Horlacher, Burns, Or.
Equine Art, By Maria D'Angelo 973- 579-3727
Flat Hat Trading and Publishing/Mike Rhoades, Raymond, Ca
Gomersall Saddlery/ Greg Gomersall 208-278-0133
Hanel's Saddle Shop/ Mario Hanel 530-279-2121
McGowan Saddlery/Terrence & Kate McGowan 775-8674345
Matt Moran Custom Gear 307-684-9491
Gilly's Western Horse Tack 619-934-4347
Bruce Haener/Bit and Spur Maker..805-461-0046
Tod Hansen Bit and Spur Maker 406-669-3158
Jim McKinney Rawhide Braider 775-265-1938
George Michel Custom Saddles 530-279-2785

These vendors were listed in our program, if I missed anyone by accident, please, please let me know, as it was unintentional..
Without these many wonderful, talented folks, who travel miles and miles to support our traditions, with time, money and expertise, making our enjoyment so much more..Thank you..so very much.