LAKEPORT— Johnny Jones is a native of Lake County. As a child he was raised on multiple ranches in the area, including the Guenoc, the Rafter JE, the Blue Jay, and the S-S. The S-S home place, where he spent the majority of his young life, is actually The Ely Stage Stop and now a historical site that has been re-located East of the ranch on Soda Bay Road.
John has been a practicing farrier for 42 years. He graduated from The Farrier College of California(1977), located in El Centro, California.He specializes in equine shoeing which includes donkeys. His various experiences includes trimming camels, muskoxen, yaks, goats, sheep, cattle, and zebra. He is also a certified equine massage therapist (1995). His belief that the movement and balance of the horse greatly contributes to the ability of the equine athlete.
John was involved as a child in the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen. His life with horses started at a very young age. He has been a horse trainer and riding instructor, mentoring many children and young adults over the past 40 years. He has opened his home to a multitude of young people, teaching horsemanship, animal care, respect, responsibility, and self confidence.
John is very dedicated to the sport of rodeo, what it stands for, the tradition, and the belief that it is the American sport that helped build the foundation of our county. It represents a healthy lifestyle that gives young people a chance to develop character and respect, being responsible for themselves, their animals, their fellow human beings, and the choices they make.
Attending the Lake County Rodeo since the early 60s, John has not missed a rodeo that he can recall. He joined the the CCPRA in 1974 and the PRCA in 1983. He competed in team roping in both associations and still continues to do so on occasion. He also was a pickup man for Hemsted Rodeo Company in the 90’s and the West Coast Rodeo Company through 2012.
John was president of California High School Rodeo Association, Dist. 2, serving eight years at the state and local levels. He was involved locally with the LCRA being on the board for several years.
John now judges high school, college, open, and CCPRA rodeos. He hopes you enjoy the rodeo and appreciate the hard work, time and effort put forth by this rodeo committee, and each contestant.
