08/07/2023
End of an Era
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End of an Era ... A Note From Angela Alvarez
Dear Clients, Friends & Our V Family,
As you know, Varian Arabians has been for sale for several months. As of July 7, 2023, the ranch officially came under the new ownership of Simon & Caprice Arkell & their daughter, Sophie, whose passion is barrel racing at Cal Poly. The new name of the ranch will be Varian Equestrian, LLC dba Varian Equestrian Center (VEC).
Kristy and Mike will remain in management positions for the new owners as the long-standing, loyal, hardworking, well-respected staff overseeing your horses for years. This change of ownership does not affect your horses boarded here in any way. VEC will be sending you their boarding contract soon and are looking forward to meeting you personally. They will deliver the same exceptional service you have grown accustomed to at Varian Arabians.
VEC has created a social media page under Varian Equestrian Center LLC where you can send a direct message or contact them at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also find them online at www.VarianEquestrian.com.
Varian Arabians will continue in a virtual role with the Varian Arabians website (www.VarianArabians.com) maintaining the sales pages of V horses, and the marketing & breeding services of Major Mac V and Windy Bey V, who will at this time both remain at the ranch under my ownership & management. I will be available to VEC in a "consult" position to help in the transition period over the next couple of months.
The Power of the V & the legacy of Sheila Varian will, with your help, remain strong in perpetuity. The Varian History Wall in the show barn will continue as part of the farm for the visitors to learn about her legacy & her unforgettable history in the Arabian horse world.
Sheila's museum is now in three different but very special locations that represent her lifetime achievements. The saddle she won on Ronteza in 1961 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco will be aptly on display at the Cow Palace, along with Ronteza's bridle, photos, belt buckle, photos & a story about her incredible win on her little bay mare. This October, the Cow Palace's annual rodeo will host "The Year of the Woman,” where it will also raise money for Ovarian cancer. The rodeo circuit normally raises funds for Breast cancer and the participants wear pink. But this year they will wear teal... It will be a wonderful tribute to Sheila and all women of the Western world. For more info on the event in October or the Cow Palace Event Center, click here: http://www.cowpalace.com
The bulk of her museum went to her Varian family at the V6 Ranch in Parkfield, California. John Varian, the man of many talents – woodworking being one of them – will build her a beautiful rustic museum in their quaint little town of Parkfield for people to visit. For more info & history on the V6 Ranch, go to http://www.v6ranch.com. If you are looking to "Cowboy or Cowgirl Up" for a weekend, I guarantee this will become your happy place! I know Sheila is smiling...she loved to ride on that ranch and be a part of the many clinics & events they hosted. So many of her fondest memories were at the V6.
The third special location I chose was to send her Cowgirl Hall of Fame dress, hat, and boots to the Santa Ynez Historical Museum in Santa Ynez, California. This is where Sheila would do her Vaquero events every November. http://www.santaynezmuseum.org
I am certain in my heart Sheila would approve. All of these places were meaningful to her and they will each honor her memory in a unique way.
Thank you in advance for helping us make this transition a smooth one. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
Long live the V.
Kind regards,
Angela Alvarez
General Manager, Varian Arabians
Cell - 805-441-1229
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Please take note of the change of address for mail delivery for Varian Arabians to my home across the street from the ranch:
1203 Corbett Canyon Rd. | Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
