The Rancheros Visitadores, or “Visiting Ranchers,” is made up of horsemen from around the state, around the country and around the world. Rancheros Visitadores was founded by John Mitchell, and the first full ride took place in May 1930. President Ronald Reagan and entertainer Walt Disney were among the more famous members of the Visitadores.

The group meets every year at Jackson Camp on the edge of the Santa Ynez River in California. They ride from the camp to Old Mission Santa Inés, where a blessing is pronounced on the men and their mounts on Saturday. The next day, they ride to their Janeway camp for a week of contests, camaraderie, music and socializing.  Until the 1860s, California ranchers drove cattle to nearby missions, where they would meet other drovers. The cattlemen would move their cattle from mission to mission until all of the livestock had been sold. The Rancheros Visitadores’ ride is a reenactment of that on-the-hoof cattle market.  Items attributable to the Visitadores, especially vintage pieces are extremely collectible.