The Cowboys of the Mountains

Many similar gatherings followed, fostering club formation, and in 1946 the group officially became LOS VAQUEROS DE LAS MONTANAS (Cowboys of the Mountains), and chose Carl Benson as its first president.

Vaqueros members in the 1940’s rode and marked the early pioneer sites and points of historical interest in Holcomb Valley, helping to preserve this area’s western heritage. Today, trail rider members still are a source of reference on topography and landmarks throughout the greater Valley and surrounding vicinities.

CSHA Club Membership emphasized the importance of preserving and acquiring riding trails, and Los Vaqueros appointees were active in its statewide campaign in conjunction with Equestrian Trails International committees. Vaqueros horsemen assisted in planning the route of local segments of the border-to-border Pacific Crest Trail, and lobbied for it’s permanent establishment and for legislation to include long-existing trails within the State Trail System.

The first club-sponsored rodeo was held June 11, 1947 on the site now known as Meadow Park.  Local ranchers furnished stock off the range. Makeshift fencing and spectator seating set a stage for intrepid local contestants in Big Bear’s historic first and oldest sport - born in the U.S.A. Rodeo! Opening Ceremony Colors were ridden in by Vaqueros Kendall Stone and Mary Rose, a California State Rodeo Queen and first of the exceptional young women riders Vaqueros honors as Big Bear Rodeo Queens.

Vaqueros’ Annual Labor Day Rodeos, a nearly half-century tradition, providing major funds in support of purposeful horse-community service, took place at various locations for several years, but since 1966 have been Professional Rodeo Cowboy competitions at the present Club Arena. 

In 1952, Los Vaqueros became an incorporated, non-profit organization to preserve growing assets in perpetual furtherance of Club purpose. Years of devoted members far-seeing hard work, countless fund-raisers, and constant budget vigilance had enabled purchase of the first club grounds at China Gardens. That site was later sold and now holds a shopping center.

Los Vaqueros acquired its grounds in Shay Meadow in 1965. Arena facility construction, maintenance, and continuing improvements to safely extend uses are the result of all members’ contributions of time and effort. Between scheduled public events serving horse and rider interests, members enjoy meetings, work parties, barbecue and potluck dinners, practice and training sessions, and converging there for Club trail rides.

Before the valley had any large meeting center, the community sometimes rallied outdoors at the arena. In emergencies of fire and flood, grounds stock pens became temporary evacuation sanctuary for horses and other animals rescued and transported by experienced Vaqueros volunteers. The Club grounds also provide horse hostel to those Southern California Riding Clubs, which regularly plan family excursions here for spectacular mountain riding.

During the many years there was neither Mounted Posse nor official Search and Rescue Teams here. Volunteer Vaqueros riders often lent their outdoors skills to assist authorities into remote areas.  That involvement eventually gave impetus to a Big Bear unit of the County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, which maintains a mutually beneficial relationship with Los Vaqueros. The two groups plan and share occasional family-oriented outings; Posse contributions improve arena facilities which fill some Posse training needs, and Rodeo non-sponsorship began in 1984.

Since its inception, Vaqueros has sponsored group rides, safety and horsemanship classes, parade participation, competitions and youth family activities. The 1970 Club Color Guard performed at the Cow Palace.  Vaqueros membership has encompassed certificated instructors and judges, ranking breeders, and far-ranging award-winning competitors in several riding specialties, including Endurance and Eventing. Many young people who first begin riding here with Vaqueros progress to higher level competition.

In the early 1980’s, increasing interest in English equitation enhanced Vaqueros Horse Shows. Enthusiasm for Western-style classes continued and grew, and National 4-H sanctioned some shows here. The number of shows held each season, attendance, participation from outlying areas, and club member enrollment all escalated. The arena soon saw flat Saddle-seat, cart driving, Jack Benny divisions, and dressage exercises.

The arena calendar also integrates long-standing, popular, Vaqueros-sponsored gymkhanas, and fun-filled family playdays, and periodic roping and penning practice. Good use justifies the Club’s pride in its responsible arena stewardship, which honors the efforts and dreams entrusted by earlier members.

Clinics, informative quest speakers, and educational publications, films and videos enrich horsemanship and have prompted goal of a library. Such non-competitive opportunities balance programming and motivate selfless service projects. Los Vaqueros is a network of friendly assistance and generously shared knowledge and experience.

Trail riding, the Club’s impelling initial focus, still prevails as a mountain horseman’s favorite riding activity, prime reason for owing his first horse and his finding a path to Los Vaqueros. Trail riding embodies all those aspects which make horse partnership so much more than mere sport.

However praiseworthy the Club’s growth and other achievements, an informal opinion survey this year showed that warm supportive fellowship sharing mutual concerns is perceived as the most valid reason and valued reward for Los Vaqueros membership. That echoes 1944 horsemen and endorses the good idea inspired while sharing coffee talk.