Ranch Rope Series creates more opportunities for local cowboys
Raiza Giorgi
Some of the best ideas have come from people working in garages; Apple and others have gone on to become multinational, billion-dollar corporations.
But in the Santa Ynez Valley, ideas are also born in a barn. One of those is the Santa Barbara Ranch Rope Series, which began when Peter Ganibi and his buddy Will Ingram were talking about how to create more horseback-related events for local cowboys.
Ganibi turned the idea into the Ranch Rope Series, which held its first gathering Jan. 28 at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center.
“I am hoping this event will grow beyond the Santa Ynez Valley and we can host it in cities up and down the Central Coast. We had cowboys from Ventura to Salinas coming to this event, and it was so well attended,” he said.
In his professional life, Ganibi owns and operates Vino Vaqueros, a horseback tour company that takes guests into some of the most beautiful private estates and vineyards in the valley, followed by a wine tasting.
“We have some of the top cowboys in the state and world that live here, like Luke Branquinho and Tucker Robinson, and we need more local opportunities for them and to let the up-and-coming cowboys have a chance to make a name for themselves,” Ganibi said.
Ganibi estimated that more than 150 people came to watch the event, which is a great chance for both locals and tourists to experience cowboy culture.
The event was followed by a dinner and dance with live music by the Sleeping Chiefs. Cowboys were also awarded their prizes at the dinner. (Winners are listed below.)
Dannie Leslie and Frankie Martinez took home $1,500 and buckles as the top prize.
Other prizes included AR Buckles, bottles of Pendleton whisky, Yeti coolers, Cactus Saddlery breast collars and saddle bags, Cactus ropes and rope bags, as well as cash.
“This event was such a team effort. I couldn’t have pulled this off without Tony Branquinho, Jeff Mang and Anselmo Ramirez. These guys are some of the most hard-working cowboys around, and they made it a success,” Ganibi said.
The group of them are already planning another event in a few months and hope to have it at least quarterly in different locations.
For more information about the event, log onto their Facebook page or their website at www.sortandrope.com.
EVENT RESULTS
Sort and Rope Open
1st – Danny Leslie and Frankie Martinez
2nd – Jeff Mang and Tucker Robinson
3rd – Casey Branquinho and Tony Branquinho
4th – Roy Bognuda and Shane Kirkland
5th – Casey Branquinho and Tucker Robinson
Fast-time winners – Danny Leslie and Frankie Martinez
Pro-am Sort and Rope
1st – Luis Ramirez and Joe Redig
2nd – Casey Branquinho and Roy Bognuda
3rd – Ryan Bingham and Justin Farr
4th – Lacey Bourdet and John Chavez
5th – Shane Kirkland and Danny Leslie
Fast-time winners, 1st Go-round – Bob Mott and Pat Boyle
Fast-time winners, 2nd Go-round – Luis Ramirez and Joe Redig
