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LOS PRIMEROS
Fifteen Centuries. Three Continents.
The making of the Californio Vaquero was a long journey
from the Moors, to Spain, to Mexico,
cultimating in Alta California.
By filmmakers Susan Jensen & Paul Singer
The vaquero and his horse move as one. Perfectly in tune as they
read each other’s minds and souls. He shakes out his reata. Builds his loop.
And tosses a perfect “del viento.” laying the calf down like a babe in a
manger.
Who is this man who sits his horse like a king on a throne? He is the
horseman whose skills were honed in Alta California a couple of centuries
ago.
The best of these proud Vaqueros earned the title of “Californio.”
With his gentle hands and lightning-fast spade bit horse, he was the best
of all reinsmen in the West.
And his lingo, albeit Americanized now, hints at his beginnings.
The Spanish “dar la vuelta” (take a turn around the horn) became “dally.”
“Jaquima” became “hackamore” and “la reata” became “lariat.”
And while he adjusted to life in this new land, his beginnings on the
other side of the ocean would always be a part of him. It had been a long
journey — 15 centuries — back to the Moors of North Africa and their nimble
Barb horses. It was in Spain, where the blending of Moorish and Spanish
horse cultures laid the groundwork for the bridle horse that was the hallmark
of these superb reinsmen. And in Mexico, the underpinnings for roping and
handling cattle on the open range would evolve.
But it was in California that it all came together. Where the secrets
of training horses through centuries of practice came full flower. And
the hackamore, romal reins and spade bit were refined.
These were the Californios. The best horsemen in the world. Los Primeros.
Filmed in Spain, Mexico and throughout the American West.
This 90 minute documentary has
just been released and is taking the California horsemen community
by storm.
Price $19.95 plus
s/h.
Buy online here.
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The 5-DVD Set includes:
Tapadero, The Remuda, Holo Holo Paniolo,
Houlihan and Los Primeros
Own the set. Enjoy a wealth
of entertainment and information.
Save and Buy
this set of 5 DVDs at a discount here.
Special price: $92.50
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Tapadero
The story of the Californio Vaquero and how he became one of the
world’s greatest horsemen. It uncovers the secrets of the spade bit
horse and rawhide reata, and introduces you to the mainstays of vaquero
horsemanship, past and present.
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Houlihan
shows how buckaroos and Texas punchers came together creating a whole
new cowboy culture. The catalyst in the mix was winter. The genesis of the
vaquero and buckaroo came from more southerly climes, where cowboys can
take “ as long as it takes” to get things done. In the north country, winter
is king. And the byword is “winters a comin. Let’s get er done.”
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The Remuda
picks up where Tapadero leaves off, and takes you to the land of
the Buckaroo, the Great Basin Country of Nevada and Oregon. You’ll
get an insider’s look at famous ranches, like the White Horse in the
Owyhee Desert of Oregon and the TS in Battle Mountain, NV. You’ll watch
as they wrangle in their big cavvys, and expertly rope out their horses
for the buckaroos to go to work. You’ll see them branding on the open
range, using skills passed down by their Californio forebears.
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Holo Holo Paniolo
is the engaging documantary about the Paniolo who works the ranches
of Hawaii today. The Vaquero taught the Hawaiians how to rope and
ride. The Paniolo's bravery was his own.
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