About Me
Richard Caldwell – trained his horses using only traditional vaquero style methods. He learned these methods working as a buckaroo for 30 years on ranches in Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Oregon including Oregon’s great MC Ranch where he was Jigger Boss. Working along side many of the older vaqueros allowed Richard to refine his horsemanship techniques which led to his success in the competitive arena. Richard was dedicated to helping others learn these vaquero-style horsemanship methods.
During his buckaroo days, he entered NRCHA, NSHA and NCHA cow horse events and was consistently in the winner’s circle. He received the NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) Superior Title on many horses along with the NRCHA Certificate of Ability. He is the only person to date to win the NRCHA Triple Crown Hackamore on a 3-year old. He has started horses that went on to win over One Million Dollars for their owners in reined cow horse, cutting, and reining events. Richard was also credited as a master farrier.
Following a path building bridle horses using traditional vaquero-style methods, Richard has won a variety of snaffle bit, hackamore, 2-rein and straight-up-in-the-bridle championships. He supported and remained in stock horse and ranch roping competitions.
Richard presented dedicated vaquero-style clinics from 2003-2012 throughout the U.S. and Canada helping serious individuals interested in learning and refining their abilities riding in the hackamore and transitioning to the 2-rein and spade bit – building a true California bridle horse. He also offered training for cow work, ranch roping, stockmanship and competitive reining.
Richard was as dedicated to his family as he was his horses. He was a great father and grandfather and his family meant the world to him. He enjoyed any time he got to spend with his 3 girls Amee, Charee, & Billee Jo, and 7 grandkids Riata, Chantz, Skyler, Sage, Kanyon, Kyzlee, & Graycee. He enjoyed riding and roping with Chantz, listening to Sage sing, watching and giving advice to Skyler and Kanyon with their sports, and watching Riata, Kyzlee, and Graycee dance. He loved them with all his heart and we know he continues to watch over all of us.
SOME OF RICHARD'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2012
Vaquero Fiesta
Open Champion Jaquima Stock Horse
1st Place overall Reata Roping Team
2nd Place Doctoring Team
2011
Voted 2011 Best Vaquero Horse Trainer by True West Magazine - Readers Choice!
Vaquero Fiesta
Open Champion Jaquima
Lake County Fair
Open Champion Futurity Horse
2010
Vaquero Fiesta-
3rd Place Bridle Stock Horse
1st Place Hackamore Stock Horse
2nd Place Cut N Rope Team
2009
Elko Stallion Stakes Stock Horse & NRCHA
1st Place Stallion Stakes-Open Bridle
1st Place NRCHA- Open Bridle
Masten Ramsey Stock Horse Show
1st Place Open Two Rein
Grand Fiesta Riata Roping & Stock Horse Competition
1st Place Two Rein Stock Horse
Californios
2nd Place Two-Rein Stock Horse
2008
Santa Margarita Ranch Riata Roping
1st Place Stock Horse
1st Place Calf Doctoring
High Point Heel Shot
Californios
Hackamore Champion Stock Horse
2007
Yamsi Ranch Roping
1st Place Team Doctoring
Santa Margarita Ranch Riata Roping
1st Place Calf Doctoring
2nd Place Calf Branding
2nd Place Stock Horse
Tejon Ranch Roping
1st Place Calf Branding
High Point Head Loop
High Point Men's Team
2nd Place- California's Best Handle
Californios
Riata Roping Finalist
Hackamore Champion Stock Horse
2006
NRCHA World Championships
Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Finalist
National Stock Horse Association
Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Finalist
High Point Fence Work (Prelims)
Californios
Riata Roping Finalist
Montana Big Loop
Invitational Roping Finalist
Stock Horse Champion
Klamath Falls Big Loop Roping
Champion Team
Masten Ramsey
Snaffle Bit Reserve Champion
Modoc County Fair
Cutting Reserve Champion
NCRCHA Snaffle Bit Circuit
Reserve Champion
2005
NRCHA World Championships
Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Finalist
2004
Californios
Bridle Stock Horse Champion
2003
Californios
Bridle Stock Horse Champion
Two-Rein Stock Horse Champion
2002
NRCHA Fresno
Snaffle Bit Reserve Champion
NRCHA
Triple Crown Hackamore Champion
Dublin Big Loop Roping & Stock Horse Challenge
Stock Horse Champion
Overall Champion Team
High Point Heel Shot
NUMBEROUS accomplishments prior to 2002!