“The Horse Whisperer” comes to town

Monty and Pat Roberts

Monty Roberts, the man they call “The Horse Whisperer,” will be in Wickenburg on Monday, March 26, to help celebrate “Cowgirl Up!” at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

He and his wife Pat Roberts will be guest speakers at the Museum's “Lunch with a Legend” -- part of the opening celebration of its second annual “Cowgirl Up!” exhibition and sale.

Tickets for the luncheon are $30 in advance; and $45 at the door, based upon availability.

Roberts, who says he prefers to call himself the “Man Who Listens to Horses,” is an award-winning trainer who has gained international fame for his method of communicating with horses using their natural body language and a technique he calls Join-Up®. Founded on a consistent set of principles, communication and trust, Robert's methods assert that violence is never the answer.

In addition to winning numerous awards, putting three books on the New York Times bestseller list and training some of Queen Elizabeth II's equestrian team, Roberts has now taken his message to the public at large. Government agencies and Fortune 500 companies, alike are now inviting the cowboy to share his experiences with their executives and leaders.

Roberts' wife Pat, who is a “Cowgirl Up!” artist participating in this year's show, will join her husband as they share their secrets for not only training horses, but for successfully parenting 47 foster children, in addition to three of their own.

The Museum's exhibition and sale, “Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West,” will open on Saturday evening, March 24 with a gala “Bid ‘n Bash” for those interested in getting first dibs on buying the art presented in the show. Tickets to the Bash are $150 per person, and include a ballot book for bidding, plus admission to all other weekend events with the exception of the Roberts' luncheon.

“Cowgirl Up!” then opens to the public on Sunday, March 25, following a special Chuck Wagon Breakfast, Quick Draw and Auction at which more than 20 of the cowgirl artists plan to create paintings or sculptures in just an hour for the auction. Tickets for the breakfast are $15 and may be purchased separately. The Quick Draw itself will be free and open to the public.

Also planned for the weekend, a lecture on the early women artists of Taos by Dr. Dean Porter, director emeritus of The Snite Museum at Notre Dame. Porter's lecture will be held on Saturday, March 25, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for this event only.

Recognized in 2006 by Governor Janet Napolitano as one of Arizona's best special events, “Cowgirl Up!” brings together a wide range of artists and art, all of which define “the other half” of western art today - the art done by its women. This year, the exhibition will feature 57 of the West's best, and best-known women artists. More than 200 original works will be on display during the wildly colorful, kick-up-your-heels sale, which will run through April 29. All proceeds will go to both the artists and the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. 

For more information about the Monty and Pat Roberts' luncheon or any of the “Cowgirl Up!” events, and for reservations, call the Desert Caballeros Western Museum at 684-2272.

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