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 books, and he has been published in numerous newspaper and
magazine articles regarding horse training methods, rawhide braiding, western
art, etc. Ernie has authored and illustrated four popular books about
vaquero horsemanship and livestock handling - El Vaquero (published in 1989), el
Buckaroo (published in 1995), Riata Men (published in 1999), and California
Cowboy Inventions (published in 2003). He has also illustrated several other
books and publications, and he has been published in numerous newspaper and
magazine articles regarding horse training methods, rawhide braiding, western
art, etc.
Among Ernie’s numerous honors include being included in the
1981-1982 "Who's Who in California," and in 1985 he was included in
"Personalities of America" and "Men of Achievement in the World".
 In
2002 he was selected as the "Honorary Vaquero" for the Old Spanish Days La
Fiesta celebration in Santa Barbara. The picture Ernie painted for the Rodeo
and Horse Show poster is shown below. This is the first time in the history of
the La Fiesta celebrations that the Honorary Vaquero has created the poster
picture.
In 2002 he was selected as the "Honorary Vaquero" for the Old
Spanish Days La Fiesta celebration in Santa Barbara. The picture Ernie painted
for the Rodeo and Horse Show poster is shown below. This is the first time in
the history of the La Fiesta celebrations that the Honorary Vaquero has created
the poster picture.
For more information on Ernie Morris visit:
www.elvaquero.com
 This
is just the icing on the cake! For years we had wanted famed horsewoman Sheila
Varian to join us at Light Hands Horsemanship. Sheila is a very busy woman but
this year the stars aligned and the LHH dates and Sheila's schedule worked out.
Sheila will be sharing a few stories from her life at the "Campfire" as an avid
horsewoman and breeder and exhibitor for over 50 years of beautiful Varian
Arabian Horses.
Sheila has a long and illustrious career in the horse industry. She has bred and
continues to breed some of the finest Arabian horses in the world. Her blood
lines have worn the roses in all divisions from western and english to halter.
Being a breeder and competitor in the show ring is just one of the many
highlights in Sheila's career. Sheila has so many honors that I would have to
start a whole new blog just too list them all. One of her top honors was to be
inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX in 2003. Below are
listed just a few more of her accomplishments:
College graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo & Physical Education teacher at
Arroyo Grande High School for 3 years.
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October 1961 - Sheila and her Arabian mare Ronteza won the
Open Reined Cow Horse Championship at the Cow Palace in San Francisco,
California. She was the first amateur, the first woman and had the first
Arabian to take that title.
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1969 - Sheila trained and showed Bay Event (Bay-Abi++ x
Ronteza) to open Reined Cow Horse Championships throughout California. 1971
& 1976 – Bay Event was twice US National Champion Arabian Stock horse,
unanimous both times.
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1983 - Sheila and Don Severa syndicate Huckleberry Bey++ for
3 million dollar
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At present, three Varian bred horses named Lightly Bey V,
Murietta V & Jubilation that she has trained in Hackamore to the Spade bit,
Sheila does demonstrations about the old California Vaquero method of
training horses, which take the horse from the Hackamore through the Two
Rein and finally into the Spade Bit. These seminars have been held in the
Court Yard of the Santa Inez Historical Society, at the San Julian Rancho
outside of Lompoc California , the Will James Historical Society Convention
held in Santa Barbara, California in 2002, in the Court yard of the
Historical Adobe in Santa Barbara, and many other venues around California.
Mentors: Sid (Mary) Spencer: Owner of a ranch in Lopez
Canyon, California, where Sheila, in her teens, learned from Sid about training
hackamore horses and spade bit horses and how to work cattle in the mountains.
Tom Dorrance: In the mid 1960’s, Tom spent time guiding Sheila
into his now universal “soft approach,” which has had the most influence on her
and the way she has trained and interacted with her horses.
Sheila has a superb website where you can find out more about
her, her accomplishments (which are many) and her lovely horses. Their Spring Fling is April 24th and 25th at their farm in Arroyo Grande and the Summer Jubilee is August 6th, 7th and 8th.... check out
her web site at www.varianarabians.com for more information.
 Master of Ceremony Rick Lamb of, “The Horse Show” with Rick Lamb on RFD-TV
If you know Cowboys, then you know that many are grand storytellers, embellishers and tellers of tall tales. It is as true today as it was 100+ years ago. Each year as the clinicians arrive at Intrepid Farms they often gather and swap stories and tales of the “old days.” For those of us who are privileged enough to sit and hear these stories we were enriched and endeared beyond what is presented during the clinics. These senior horsemen share a life and times most of us can only imagine. Their stories are rich in characters, both human and equine. To listen is to take a walk back in time when the world was a much different place and horses were often a necessity, not a hobby or luxury. From the years of the Great Depression through WWII and up to present day, the experience, knowledge and wisdom arrived at through a lifetime of horses is priceless.
We have been so touched and moved by these intimate conversations and stories and felt that they must be shared with our guests. This generation of horsemen will soon come to pass. With that passing their personal stories and experiences will pass with them.
Light Hands Horsemanship invites you to join us at “the campfire” after dinner on Fri and Sat night. Grab a good cup of camp coffee, get comfortable and prepare to hear some grand stories. We feel you will be as moved as we were as each horsemen allows you to walk in their shoes, to feel the drama, and share the laughter and the tears that a life and times “a horseback” has given them.
Ron Miller
always a favorite to return in 2012
 Light
Hands Horsemanship is proud to bring back one of the area's greatest
entertainers, Ron Miller of Santa Maria, CA. Ron will be entertaining
LHH guests during the evening meals. We first saw and heard Ron Miller at
the Santa Ynez Vaquero Days and after seeing and hearing him we couldn't
hire him fast enough for our LHH event. We instantly knew that Ron would fit
in perfect with the LHH atmosphere and that our guests would really enjoy
him.
Ron plays everything from golden
oldies to rock "n" roll to Western ballads so there will be something for
everyone.
By the time Ron was 10 he had
taken a liking to the saxophone and played in his school band. By the time
he was 19, he had become proficient at not only the saxophone, but the
drums, bass and guitar. Ron states that his main forte is his singing. He
has learned over 1500 songs in his career.
Miller toured with two popular
bands from 1976-87. His resume includes venues in Cheyenne, WY., Austin, Tex
and a member of the U.S. Department of Defense's Overseas Touring Shows to
name just a few.
Miller's fondest moment in
particular is when he got to sing the National Anthem at a Dodger game in
1996.
Comments from the Fans:
Ron's vast knowledge of
contemporary music and western ballads, combined with his smooth voice
and ability on guitar, has provided us with many evenings of
unforgettable music. "John Tracy, Rancheros Vistiadores President,
Buttonwillow, CA"
"Ron, You always put on a
class act! You have been a big part of our success, musically catering
to our guests of all ages. Additionally, your Ad-Libs and Humor between
songs and sets always makes the appropriate atmosphere. You have
something for everyone." Susan Porter, Pismo Beach, CA.
Ron Miller's "Full Gallop Band"
805-938-7771 |
Mary
Ann Kennedy joins Light Hands
Horsemanship 2012
