2021 Vaquero of the Year John McCarty will be honored and presented with his award on Friday evening, Nov. 12 at SYVHM’s 37th Annual Vaquero Gala Benefit Celebration
Photo: Mehosh Photography
SANTA YNEZ — The Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum (SYVHM) is pleased to announce that John McCarty has been named the 2021 Vaquero of the Year. John will be honored and presented with his award on Friday evening, Nov. 12, 2021 at the Annual Vaquero Gala benefit celebration, which officially launches a weekend of exciting events. Now in its 37th year, the Museum’s Vaquero Show and Sale promotes the traditions and influences of the California Vaquero way of life and is a tribute to it. Mr. McCarty, this year’s honoree, is an integral part of this heritage.
Reared in Gavilan Hills (in Riverside County, CA) by his grandfather “Doc” McCarty, who moved there in 1944 from New Mexico, John and his grandfather bred, raised and trained thoroughbred horses. John recalls his boyhood as being “born on a horse.” In the course of growing up, he remembers riding mostly bareback and only using a saddle when starting a yearling. From a young age, John realized that horses were essential to his spiritual well-being and his day to day life. On a chance visit in the 1970s to see his father, who was then residing at Hollister Ranch in Gaviota, John realized that he was truly a Cowboy and that riding the range and herding cattle was what he intended to do as his full-time career.
He gradually learned the rudiments of the cattle and ranching business when he hired on as a handyman in the maintenance department at the Hollister Ranch. When the Ranch realized how handy John was with a horse, they asked him to join as a Cowboy. Not long after that, he was awarded the Foreman position and Head Cowboy. Although the work was offered to John prematurely, before he was ready for it, the job was a dream come true for him and he embraced it with gusto, overseeing up to 1,500 head of cattle. With the guidance of one of the founders, Dick LaRue, John also started training young cow horses for himself and others on the crew, as good horses were needed to get the jobs done. From there, he became the Manager of the Hollister Ranch Cooperative.
The horses and the dogs were a highlight of John’s job and as things progressed, they became his passion. He says, “Well trained horses and dogs enabled us to achieve the goals with cattle that we wanted.” He shares that, after using many dogs, “Border collies are the whole package: Lithe, fast, smart and talented. They are handy with cattle. With good dogs by your side while working cattle, it is almost like you can get the job done by yourself and at the end of the day, they are still your buddy and great company.”
After 40 years of being an integral part of the Hollister Ranch, focusing on the property’s stewardship, which is reflected in how the Ranch looks today, and raising three sons (Jason, Call and Grey McCarty), John retired from the Hollister Ranch and followed his passion for horse training. Now life is all about the horses. His professional “Reining/Cow Horse” training is flourishing and clients from throughout the West are sending him their young horses to get them started properly. John fully prepares the horses for their future jobs, either out on the range gathering cattle or in the competitive show arena. A friend and client notes, “John has the uncanny ability to match equine to owner and vice versa. Clients learn to trust John and that’s when the magic of the pairing and the training become a winning combination.”
The Annual Vaquero Gala, Show & Sale, November 12-14, 2021 is one of Santa Ynez Valley’s most popular fall events. It celebrates Western lifestyle and horsemanship in the community. The public is invited to attend all events which honor the unique culture and equine skills of the California “Vaquero” (cowboy). The weekend fundraising event is hosted by the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum (SYVHM) and Parks-Janeway Carriage House, located at 3596 Sagunto Street in Santa Ynez, California.
Tickets cost $200 per person for the popular Friday evening Gala that takes place from 5p.m. to 9 p.m. – which has historically been a sell-out event. They are on sale now and may be purchased on the Museum’s website: santaynezmuseum.org. Plans for the celebration include cocktails, a dinner, presentation of the annual “Vaquero of the Year” award and live music.
Health and Safety requirements for attendance — In accordance with Santa Barbara County Health Department COVID mandates, all patrons must bring and wear their own face covering that fully covers both nose and mouth with ear loops (or similar) to hold it securely in place inside the galleries. Bandanas, gaiters and masks with external valves are not permitted. Face shields alone are not adequate protection. Mask-wearing is also strongly encouraged in outdoor spaces.
For more information, please contact Teresa Mills, Operations Manager, at (805) 688-7889 Ext. 104 or at info@santaynezmuseum.org.
About SYVHM — Founded in 1961, the mission of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House is “Preserving, interpreting and celebrating the history of human experience in California’s Santa Ynez Valley and Central Coast by informing, educating, inspiring and engaging Museum guests of all ages and backgrounds.” The Museum is the official caretaker of the Valley’s rich cultural history, housing one of the finest collections of antique, horse-drawn carriages and wagons in the Western United States, examples of finely crafted Chumash and other Native American basketry, pottery and artifacts, one-of-a-kind horse saddlery and tack from days gone by and Western sculptures, paintings, books and handicrafts. As the “hub” for social gatherings in the Valley, the Museum sponsors events and celebrations throughout the year including gallery openings, Festival of the Vines, Vaquero Gala, Show and Sale, Wild West Camp and educational tours for children and food and wine tastings that highlight the economic importance of the wine and agricultural industries in shaping the Valley’s future. To learn more, visit and become a member, santaynezmuseum.org.