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, son-in-law Weston, 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.