Museo del Vaquero de las Californias

In the tenth century, Spaniards adopted the Moorish practice of horseback riding. Warriors called jinetes rode with the saddle and short stirrups, allowing swift charges and better guiding of the horse. In 1273 the Spaniards created the Honorable Council of the Mesta of Shepherds to regulate animal management practices. When spanish settlements expanded across north america La Mesta conducted rodeos to determine ownership and animal management. The practice spread as mission ranches extended through the Baja California peninsula. For Example, Hernan Cortez first settled in Loreto then in 1769, soldier-vaqueros drove cattle north to Alta California. The indigenous people of Alta California were banned from riding horses by the Viceroy of New Spain in an effort to suppress rebellion. As such, they learned to rope on foot. When taught by Franciscan missionaries to help on ranches, they became the first roping vaqueros. In 1848, the war between Mexico and the US. separated the Californias, but the vaquero tradition remains unchanged. a