TAPADERO

This is a truly remarkable presentation the chronicles the history of the Californio, the masterful California horseman of legend who still tends cattle in California and still produces some of the finest bridle-wise horses in the entire world.

This film examines the early beginnings of the cattle industry in Califonria some 300 years ago, when Spaniards established mission herds that eventually supplied much of the hide and tallow industry of the early United States. Included is some basic information about he historic Spanish Barb horses that were part of the original vaquero tradition.

There so much in this film that it is impossible to mention it all in this narrow space. Included are interviews with Californios on several notable ranches, including the Cojo-Jalama, the Tejon, Booth, Spanish Ranch, and the Ronald Reagan Ranch. There are also interviews with artists/historian Ernie Morris and saddle maker Dale Harwood, the King of the Wade saddle.

There is valuable information about the making and use of saddles, tapaderos, and raitas, and the fine equipment and handling required of training horses until they become spade-bit ready. It starts with hackamore training and shows the long-careful, 10-year progression of training these horses, and it pays tribute to two of the greatest gurus of Californio horse training, Bill and Tom Dorrance.

Topping it all off, and providing musical background throughout, are the fine songs of western songwriters Ian Tyson, Dave Stamey, Mike Beck, and the singing of Christina Ortega. Dave Stamey says it best about the Californios,”Toda vi estoy aqui,” (We are still here.)

We love this film and you will too.