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Museum. Th exhibit focused on the rancho era from 1821 to 1850,
“when vaquero horsemanship reined supreme,” and also on the
ways that local enthusiasts maintain a connection to that era by
participating in Old Spanish Days events in Santa Barbara—especially
El Desfile Historico, which the exhibit labeled “the largest equestrian
parade in the country.”
Joe De Yong was represented in the exhibit by a pair of batwing
chaps from the 1930s, decorated and signed by the artist with his
electric needle. Ed Borein was there, too, with his etching
End of the
Race
and with the charro saddle that he is thought to have used while
riding in Old Spanish Days parades. Technically, that saddle was not
part of the
In the Saddle
exhibit—it was (and still is) on display nearby
in the museum’s new Borein gallery, which proclaims its purpose by
highlighting a quote from the artist:
“I will leave an accurate history of the West, nothing else but that.
If anything isn’t authentic or just right, I won’t put it in my work.”
That Borein quote could also have served as a motto for his friend
Joe De Yong—and for Bill Reynolds, too.
u
Above – This modern cowboy hat is
modeled after the one worn by Joe
De Young. Rand’s Hats of Billings,
Montana is making a limited
edition of the hat to coincide
with publication of Bill Reynold’s
biography of Joe De Yong.
Top – Detail of
Sunset
, an undated
watercolor on board painting by
Joe De Yong.
COURTESYOFBUCKAND LUCYBEERY /WILLIAMREYNOLDS.
COURTESYOF WILLIAMREYNOLDS.
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