ABOUT TAPADERO...
California’s vaqueros are considered some of the finest horseman in the world. Mild weather and isolation gave the vaqueros plenty of time to train their horses. The skills they developed were handed down from generation to generation.
Tapadero gives an overview of this history, goes into the fine details of the vaquero way (the use of the hackamore, the spade bit and reata roping) and provides the viewer a colorful look at the vaquero — his dress, his gear, and the fine artisans who produce it. The viewer also gets a taste of the ranch life and the awe-inspiring California scenery.
Tapadero DVD is 82 minutes.

The Asistencia
The Santa Margarita Ranch is the oldest continually run ranch dating back to the mission era. The ranch barn was once the asistencia (extension of Mission San Luis Obispo). Ranchhands Jeff McKee and Alie Reilly walk through the asistencia as they head out for another day’s work on the ranch.

Spring Branding
Alie Reilly, a Santa Margarita ranchhand is a dedicated cowgirl who works overtime perfecting the skills. She's putting them to practice at the Spring Branding.

The Spanish expedition to California
Don Garate of the National Park Service and Santa Barbara historian, Art Najera vividly describe the arduous expedition of Portola and De Anza from Mexico to the California coast to establish the mission system. Father Serra’s vision of vast  ranchos for the missions was soon realized.

Spanish Barbs
Marjorie and Jerry Dixon are caretakers for a herd of the descendants of the original Spanish Barb horses that Father Kino bred in northern Mexico and Arizona. As Marjorie says, “ Anyone can raise horses to sell. These horses are a part of history; keeping the line alive is a higher order.”
The Spanish Ranch
In the beautiful Cuyama Valley, east of Santa Maria, is El Rancho Espanol de Cuyama. This famous ranch was the crossroads for the hide and tallow trade from the San Joaquin Valley to the ships on the Pacific. Owners Pam and Dan Doiron are lovingly restoring the ranch while Manager Cruz Valdez, and his family tend to the cattle.

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