Remembering a Ranching Operation

Re “Homes on the Range,” Jan. 21.

Thanks for the memories brought back by Matt Surman’s excellent article on Richard Atmore’s cattle ranching operation in the Ventura hills. My family lived on a lemon ranch below Barlow Canyon for many years, and my father, Alfred McGonigle, was one of the volunteer riders who often helped Rocky Esparza conduct his roundups.

Esparza’s many friends would trailer or ride their horses to the corral at the canyon entrance. They would fan out through the hills and other canyons in pairs, searching for the cattle, then herd them back to the corral. Those good at roping would select the animals to be dehorned and branded while others would tend the branding iron fire. There was usually an audience lined up outside the fence, watching what looked like a real old-time cowboy operation, surprisingly going on just across the road from houses.

As an old-timer in Ventura and a friend of the Lloyd family and Esparza, my father had a key to the canyon gate and would often ride in the hills. His children rode with him, as did his grandchildren in turn, until he was no longer able to climb aboard his horse.

We hiked those hills and canyons with freedom, watched the deer come down to our orchard for water and hoped it would never end. I’m sad to think of it being developed, and secretly hold the thought it will never happen!

It’s good to see Richard Atmore carrying on this traditional use of the land, which is actually cared for better in this way than if it were left to be covered by nonnative growth like the tobacco plants I see in the field to the east, which used to be used for horses.

I hope his business can continue for many years in this area.

MARGARET STAPLETON

Ventura