Edhat Staff
Scroll through the above photos by Fritz Olenberger
By edhat staff
Over 750 Rancheros Visitadores rode through Solvang for their annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser on Saturday.
For 87 years the “visiting ranchers” stick to tradition and come to the Santa Ynez Valley on horse and carriage. The historical men’s only club has cowboys from over 37 states and 6 countries who make the trek each year.
For the eighth year in a row, the Rancheros Visitadores partnered with Wrangler Jeans and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara. Since 2012, over $1 million has been raised for the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara with 100% of the proceeds help local breast cancer patients.
“The Rancheros have been returning to Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley for 87 years. Though our members come from far and wide, this is the Rancheros’ home, and we have found a cause we believe in. We understand it is important to give back to the community we return to year after year,” explains Ranchero Steve Beneto.
With pink shirts and decorations, the riders galloped on Alisal and Mission Drives for a short equestrian parade. They arrived at the Mission Santa Ines for the historical tradition of having their horses blessed. On behalf of the 1,100 members of the Rancheros Visitadores, a $1,020,000 check was presented to the Cancer Foundation.
After taking in refreshments, the group galloped along the Santa Ynez River trail for their week-long trek and encampment.
“I’m sure they all hit the sack as soon as the sun goes down from what I’ve been told.” They go to bed quite early (after vespers).
Say what? There’s a secret, DAILY newspaper?
…and they forgot to mention the Viagra-filled Pez dispensers and baby bottles filled with boooze and the gimp in the “sissy” tent…yeah, they forgot those things, eh?
From stories I’ve heard the Rancho members don’t go to bed at sunset, that’s when the real partying starts. For many years the Floyd County Boys bluegrass group entertained them, maybe still do. There are wild stories coming out of that “men’s campout”. I like the pink plaid shirts, in the beginning of this breast cancer awareness by the Rancheros the shirts were a solid pink.