Media Contact: Debbie Loucks
Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc./Join-Up® International
(949) 632-1856
March 2, 2017 Solvang, California: The Santa Barbara Rotary asked both MONTY & PAT ROBERTS, owners of Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang since 1966, to speak before an accomplished group of business persons about the Roberts non-violent approach to horses.
Pat, an accomplished horsewoman and artist, is a renowned horse sculptor. In accepting her award, she graciously communicated her love for animals, art and her delight in giving back. Monty clearly communicated his heart “is to leave the world a better place then I found it, for horses and people too”. His words were an inspiration for the group. Monty and Pat so clearly demonstrate the central priorities of Rotary in – Truth – Fairness – Goodwill/Better Friendships and action, which are Beneficial for all concerned. Monty gave an insight into his revolutionary methodologies in dealing with horses. He clearly abhors violence with horses and is known throughout the world as the “horse whisperer” for his methods of Join-Up with horses and people.
He used this lifetime of experience to establish Horse Sense and Healing in 2010, which supports veterans and first responders who suffer from PTSD. The Roberts’ Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang offers five weekend long clinics per year, which have served over 700 individuals.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent an invitation to Monty to demonstrate his concepts for the Royal Family and the team at Windsor Castle in 1989. She is a life-long horsewoman. The success of this event resulted in Her Majesty’s endorsement of Monty’s work and requesting him to write a book to share his concepts with the world. Uncharacteristically Her Majesty allowed a photo to be published in an English magazine with an article supporting his work. Her Majesty’s interest in Monty’s career over the past 27 years has allowed him to approach his stated life’s goal, “to leave the world a better place than I found it for horses and for people, too.”
Many would consider the Queen’s endorsement of Monty’s nontraditional and revolutionary methods to be the greatest achievement of his career thus far. Monty continues to travel the world lecturing, advising, training and encouraging his non-violent methods.
“We had the privilege of presenting the Paul Harris Fellow awards to Monty and Patricia Roberts for their lifelong work with horses. Monty Roberts is truly an American hero.” said James Stretchberry, Santa Barbara Rotary President during a post speech interview. Stretchberry invited a group to honor the Roberts as guests to the membership which included the Roberts’ daughter Debbie Roberts Loucks, Michael Hollis, Detective at SBPD, fellow Paul Harris recipient, Kyleen Dawson and members of the Join-Up Board of Directors Jo-Ann and Gary Cutshall, from Anaheim, CA and Marsha St. Clair, Montecito, CA.
The January 12, 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine revealed their list of the 50 greatest horsemen of all time. Across seven pages of this iconic weekly magazine are those men and women from all walks of equestrian life with talents in horsemanship all can admire. Roberts’ photo is prominently placed on the cover which included William Fox-Pitt, John Whitaker and Xenophon. It reads “It was in 1989 that the Californian shot into the limelight when the Queen invited him to Windsor Castle to demonstrate his “Join-Up” technique, and he now visits her up to three times a year to help “start” her horses. To date he has worked with nearly 15,000 horses during his demonstrations, spreading his “non-violent” ethos worldwide.”
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