In earlier days, the Monterey National Horse Show, now 76 years old, had a much different look, featuring a distinct nod to the Central Coast's rich Spanish heritage, but also a significant English influence.

In recent years, the event has morphed into the popular Western-style horse show spectators will see Thursday through Sunday at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, featuring competitions and demonstrations that evolved from working cattle ranches.

The modern-day version also includes a golf tournament, a pancake breakfast, a barbecue, and an old-fashioned cattle drive.

"I actually used to sell programs at this show when I was just a girl, and, at the time, it was the event to go to," said Kelly Violini, chief executive

Jim Violini takes part in the Ranch Sorting championships. It s a fast-paced cattle-sorting competition that begins Thursday at the fairgrounds. (Herald file)
officer of the Monterey County Fairgrounds. "The grandstands were absolutely packed in those days, and the show had a heavy emphasis on English-style jumping and dressage events that were almost Olympic level competitions."

Presiding over the celebration were a vaquero (a horse-mounted livestock herder that is still a part the Spanish tradition of working riding) and vaquera — an homage to some of the earliest settlers of the Monterey Peninsula.

The schedule of events begins at 1 p.m. Thursday with a golf tournament (open to the public, call 372-5863 for information) at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, a 6 p.m. post-tournament dinner, and the first day of the Ranch Sorting National Championships scheduled 2-5 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

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"Ranch sorting is a really fast-paced cattle-sorting competition, a western-style sport that evolved from common ranch work in which ranch hands separate cattle for branding," Violini said. "Our event will be a circuit final this year, so we'll have people coming here from places like Colorado, Oregon, Arizona to compete."

The Ranch Sorting from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, a day capped at 7 p.m. by the "personality" and "appearance" categories of the Miss Monterey National Horse Show

Bailee Nelson of Hollister waves to the crowd at a previous Monterey National Horse Show. (Herald file)
competition, to be held in the Monterey Room of the fairgrounds.

Saturday features a pancake breakfast ($5 per plate) at the fairgrounds, and a 9 a.m. cattle drive.

"The cattle drive is an amazing thing to see," Violini said. "The cowboys will be herding about 100 head of cattle — including 10-12 Texas Longhorns, which usually take the lead — from 2100 Garden Road, down the street and through the middle of the fairgrounds."

Other Saturday highlights will include the Escobar Memorial Team Roping contest (noon), named after Eddie Escobar, a King City rancher who served for several years on the Monterey National Horse Show organizing committee, and the annual barbecue ($10 for children 6 and older, $20 for adults),

A cattle drive will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday as part of the 76th Monterey National Horse Show at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. (Herald file)
which begins at 5 p.m.

The show wraps up Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the California Horsemen's Association Region 6 Horse Show and the 4H/FFA Horse Show at Pattee Arena.

Part of Sunday's show will include a "ranch versatility" competition, during which horses will negotiate specially designed trail courses, including bridges, water hazards and other obstacles they might encounter in a working situation.

Additional information can be obtained online at www.montereycountyfair.com or by calling the Monterey County Fairgrounds at 372-5863.

Dennis Taylor can be reached at dtaylor@montereyherald.com or 646-4344. GO!

HORSE SHOW
·What: Monterey National Horse Show
·Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey
·When: Thursday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 5
·Tickets: Free.
·Information: www.montereycountyfair.com or 372-5863.