Ramblings of an Old Man

[OldDog/NewTricks]

My Mentor

http://www.myhorse.com/rodeo/rodeo_news/hats_off_to_western_original_charlie_maggini.aspx#top

Charlie Maggini and I
Most of the writings I've found on Charlie proclaim him as a Spade Bite man - I have made post on the Net that tell of his Hackamore skills - - When I rode with him on the "Palasol Ranch" in the Gilroy Hot Springs area, he was noted for his Horseman Skills - Hackamore or Spade Bit, he called himself a Hackamore Man

I found this on the Net

Tony Amoral
Tony had become interested in the Hackamore horse. He learned from any man willing to share his knowledge, but in the end, he turned to the greatest showman of the reined horse of that era, Charlie Maggini, 1929 World Champion All-around Cowboy. Tony went on to train more champion hackamore horses than any other trainer of the Pacific Coast.

Charlie Maggini My Story:
George Hoenck taught me to stay on a horse - - He put me on a pony 'Billy' bare back and gave me two hands full of mane, I was like 7 years old. I fell-off many times a and recall crying and saying
"I Don't Wanta Learn". "I Don't Wanta Learn".
At the end of the day and my first lesson "Billy could do summersalts and I would stick with him
George said,
" I've Taught You To Stay-On Any Horse, Now Go See Charlie Maggini, He'll Teach You How To Ride One"

And Charlie taught me too - -
It was a long bicycle ride up Roop Rd to the Palasol (sp) Ranch at the back of Coyote Lake and Charlie's corral (called Arena now days) across the creek… I don't know how many days I world juat sat-on-the-fence and watched while Charlie cowboyed and paid me no never mind.
(Note: I'm dyslexic – I can watch someone and copy him)

Then there was the day he rode up to me sittin there and said,
What the fork You doing up here all the time kid?
Just trying to watch and learn. – I answered
You wanta Learn ta Ride 'Wiiild' Hosses?

At the barn he had me saddle a big bay gilding and walked him out as Charlie watched and committed _
Well at lest you know how to saddle a hoss.
Back at the corral I was told to Get On and sit out in the center and ask questions _ I kinda knew what to expect.

As I forked Ol Bay he dropped his head and… I'll brag and say I lasted 2 jumps… As I lay piled in the corral dust Charlie rode up and …
"You still wanta learn to ride 'Wiiild' Hoses?"…
"Get back on!"
About the third pile and I could hardly move, Charlie sat over a me horse back, the sun coming over his right shoulder, both hands on his saddle horn and …
"Bye God, you might just make it!"
I had the learning experiences of riding with Charlie 2 or 3 times per week until I went in the USAF at 18.

By the time I was Discharged I lost track of Charlie, I found him remarried and living at the corner of Metcalf and San Fillip Roads, in San Jose and working, riding horses at the 'Henry Coe Ranch'. Charlie live in this rustic cabin on 1 acre+ of Red Rock with Pin Oak Trees and a little Old Barn across the street. In his 80's Charlie would rise in the AM, Feed his horse, eat and Rake that acre of Red Rock

1961/1962
I was selling Ford 'Trucks' (Pick-ups for San Jose Ford), Pick-ups were not a mover in those days, a New Ford Pick-up/3speed/radio/heater/ $1900 + Tax). Henry Coe was a customer and that's where I found Charlie.

I'd ride horses with Charlie at the 'Henry Coe Ranch' in all my spare time. Coe Ranch had a policy, any worker on the ranch had to keep a bunk in the Bunkhouse. Charlie's bunk was in the far back right hand corner of the Cowboy Bunkhouse and mine was next to his. Now this was one of the last Old Time California Cattle Ranch's – break at 11 AM for lunch, hit the bunkhouse and showers…

Charlie'd reach under his bunk for that always present gallon of red wine and come-on with the stories, history and/or I'd get my ash chewed for something I'd done or not done. At noon the White Apron, Tank Top clad black Cook would spread out so much good food, and more food.

The Boss Henry Coe normally ate lunch with the crew and went over who is or should be doing what, sick animals, or parts needed for equipment. [General Ranch Business]

Then it was Siesta Time or more stories and back to work at 2:30 or 3PM

 

[OldDog/NewTricks]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2106795&type=story

 

[OldDog/NewTricks]

Maggini to enter Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
Jul 6, 2005
By Brett Rowland

Hollister - A native son of San Benito County is about to get a singular honor. Later this month, Charles Maggini will be inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame.

Maggini passed away in 1982, so his daughter Karen will accept the award for him at the ceremony July 16 in Colorado Springs, Colo. But she says he would probably be embarrassed by the fuss.

"He wouldn't think he deserved this award," said Karen Maggini.

Maggini's grandson Charles agreed, and said the entire Maggini family was proud of their grandfather.

"It's a great honor for us," his grandson said. "We're glad he is being recognized for what he has done."

Former state Assemblyman Pete Frusetta said that, as far as he knew, Maggini is the only native of San Benito County to be inducted into the PRCA.

Maggini was born in San Benito in 1894. He quickly became a rising star in the rodeo world. In 1929, Maggini became the first PRCA member to hold world titles in more than one event, winning both the team roping and steer roping events.

Family and friends describe Maggini as a real cowboy, unlike today's professional cowboys who ride in rodeos across the country, appear on television and earn six-figure salaries. Maggini just liked to work, his daughter Karen said.

She tried to follow in her father's footsteps, but was never as good as he was, although she was crowned Miss Santa Clara by the county's Cattlemen's Association in 1975.

"His motto was: Live it up for 99 years, then take it slow," she said. "He always said he wanted to die with his boots on."

And he did. The last horse Maggini trained, two years before he died at age 86, went on to win in the reigned horse class at California Rodeo Salinas and Cow Palace.

Maggini wasn't just a horse trainer, said life-long friend Michael O'Connell of Hollister's Ranchers Feed, Inc. O'Connell, whose father was good friends with Miggini, said he could perform all ranch chores skillfully.

"He was a real cowboy," O'Connell said. "He could do it all."

And unlike modern professionals, Maggini didn't practice.

"He did it on the ranch for real, to get the job done," O'Connell said.

Once, when trying to get a stubborn horse into a trailer, Maggini got down on the ground behind the horse to grab its hind legs and the horse kicked just above Maggini's head and jumped into the trailer, O'Connell said.

"He said to me 'see, that's how you do it,'" O'Connell said.

Although Maggini never made much money, he always worked. Maggini used to drive thousands of cattle on epic journeys through several states when he worked for Miller & Lux, a large meatpacking conglomerate started by two San Francisco butchers in 1858.

"He didn't ever think he had done anything spectacular," Karen said. "He was just doing his job."

Maggini liked to get his work done, but he also liked to have fun. His daughter said he once took famous actor Will Rogers to a branding in Oklahoma and chided him for being unable to get his horse to face the right direction. In California the header turns so both horses face the steer.

"He said 'Will, you need to turn around, that's a California horse,'" Karen said. "And Will replied 'Well it's in Oklahoma now.'"

O'Connell also described Maggini as a jokester. Once when separating cows and calves on his father's ranch, O'Connell said Maggini encouraged him to work as quickly as possible in order to see if his father could handle the increased traffic. After that incident O'Connell's father always kept the two separated while working on the ranch, O'Connell said.

"(Charles) liked to test people, but it was always good-natured fun," O'Connell said. "He was full of hell."

Maggini loved figure-8 roping and participated for many years in both the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association Rodeo and the Salinas rodeo. In fact, Maggini rode on horseback to the first-ever rodeo in Salinas in 1911. His daughter also said Maggini enjoyed horses, dogs and drinking.

"Everybody always said he loved good whiskey," she said.

Karen began trying to get her father recognized five years ago, but few paid attention, she said. But in 2003, she succeeded in getting Maggini inducted to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Museum. Her success continued this year when her request for her father to be admitted to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame was granted.

"I wanted my father to be honored and to fulfill my duty to him," Karen said. "Next week I'll be on cloud nine."

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

That was interesting.
Thanks for posting.