June 5-18, 2018
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Juan Lara Jr. named grand marshal for Old Santa Ynez Day Saddle maker’s shop is a center of activity year-round, but especially during annual celebration By Jessica Schley Contributing Writer
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nyone who has ever attended Old Santa Ynez Day knows that the barbecue at Juan Lara Saddlery, in the big red barn behind John’s Chevron, is one of the best parts of the whole day. This year, saddle maker Juan Lara Jr. has been selected to serve as grand marshal for the day’s festivities on Saturday, June 9. He will be riding in the parade on his black Azteca gelding Oreo, and hosting his big annual barbecue as well. His father, Juan Lara Sr., is coming to town to celebrate with everyone. Juan Lara Saddlery originated in Santa Barbara in the 1970s. Juan Sr. and his father, also Juan Lara, began as saddle makers at Jedlicka’s Saddlery. Juan Jr. began working at the shop with his dad and grandfather at the age of 11, in the afternoons after school. By the time he was a young man, he was making saddles alongside them and honing his craft. “I worked for a summer outside the shop, packing cherimoya fruit for California Tropics, which was great work and I liked it, but I missed the shop a lot, so I came back and never left,” Lara said. He moved the shop from Ortega Street in
Santa Barbara to the big red barn in Santa Ynez in 2006 and lives just down the street with his wife, son and daughter. “Santa Ynez is such a great place to be, and to raise kids. I love living here and I love having so many good friends Juan Lara Jr. stop by the shop to visit every day,” he said. Lara’s saddle shop carries dozens of used and antique collectible saddles, bits, spurs, bridles and equipment. He takes orders for custom saddles and usually makes a few stock saddles each year as well to sell to the folks who don’t want to wait for a fully customized saddle. In addition to saddle making and leather repairs of all kinds, Lara often teaches group classes for youth, including students at Midland School. He loves to teach, and he most enjoys watching youngsters get really into using the various tools, and producing a piece of work that they can be really proud of. “It makes me happy to be able to pass on skills and knowledge that very few folks have access to learning these days,” he said. As he was interviewed, several helpers stood around the large work bench in the shop, cleaning leather, making repairs, and keeping the shop neat. As his business has grown he has brought on several helpers to keep up with demand. “I hate to say no to anybody when they come in with a piece they really love and need fixed. I enjoy challenges, especially restoring older saddles that have stories to
Photos by Daniel Dreifuss Saddle maker Juan Lara, seen at his shop in Santa Ynez, has been chosen as grand marshal for this year’s Old Santa Ynez Day parade on Saturday, June 9. Lara gets custom orders every year for local riding clubs and events, including Santa Barbara Fiesta Rodeo, Elks Rodeo, Vaqueros de los Ranchos, Santa Barbara Trail Riders, Sage Hens and more.
tell,” he said. Lara had just completed a big order of custom keychains with a company logo on them for a corporate executive event at Bacara Resort. He gets custom orders every year for local riding clubs and events, including Santa Barbara Fiesta Rodeo, Elks Rodeo, Vaqueros de los Ranchos, Santa
Barbara Trail Riders, Sage Hens, Valley Penning Association, and many more. Lara’s father usually visits once a year from his rancho in Honduras, where he retired in 1998. He stays for a few weeks up to a couple of months and often builds a few LARA CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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