The DRA Wrangler Certification Update

The Wrangler Certification course has been established to train wranglers/guides in the skills needed to meet the Minimum Horse Safety Standards accepted by the DRA certified ranches. This course provides the skills and knowledge needed to prevent potential accidents, and how to anticipate dangerous situations on the trail. Participants in this program must already have a good working knowledge of horsemanship skills. This is both a hands on and classroom experience. The course follows the material presented in the DRA Horse Safety Manual.

The Wrangler Certification program has been very successful again this year:
• 6 Ranches have hosted the wrangler training
• 16 Ranches sent wranglers to be certified
• 58 wranglers have been certified this year making a total of 247 wranglers currently certified.

The Certified Wrangler Instructor Training course has been established to train instructors for the Wrangler Certification program. This covers presenting the material in the classroom and in a hands-on experience at the barn or on the trail. There are currently 58 Certified Wrangler Instructors.

Guest Testimonial of the Week

We visited the Red Rock Ranch in Kelly, Wyoming for the week and we would highly recommend it to those who seek thrilling landscapes, a fine management and staff operating the facility, overwhelming kindness and courtesies, superb riding and teaching skills by staff, good food, five star rooms and cabins; we are not strangers to Dude Ranch getaways and have visited 3 of the finest ones out there; we move Red Rock to the top of our list and we plan to return there, without any doubt. R. Gordon, Miami.

DRA Horse Safety Program

In 2004 the DRA introduced its first Association defined Horse Safety program. The program has seen a significant level of participation from membership. It is designed to assist ranches in managing risk and establish reasonable standards for the Industry. The Horse Safety Program consists of the DRA Horse Safety and Adaptive First Aid for the Trail Certifications, Certified Wrangler Instructor, and Certified Wrangler and is an endorsed insurance program.

The DRA Horse Safety and Adaptive First Aid for the Trail program reflects the minimum guidelines for member ranches and other trail riding programs related to Horse Safety and Adaptive First Aid for the Trail. This program provides an educational opportunity through a seminar approach. Our goal is to promote continual evaluation of safety procedures and skills to improve the quality of our programs. Currently there are a total of 107 DRA Ranches, Associate Member Ranches and Outfitters Horse Safety Certified.

The Dude Ranchers’ Association Horse Safety Program is the standard for anyone involved in Western Riding Programs. It's been developed by those with more experience and more guest hours in the saddle than any other organization in the world. Summer camps, trail ride operators and Western riding instructors would all greatly benefit by becoming a part of the Dude Ranchers’ Association and taking advantage of the expertise available there. Safe practices not only help provide a better experience for guests and more return riders, operating under policies established by the recognized leader in the field provide insurance companies with a greater comfort level which can lead to lower rates. DRA has an insurance program available to members. Call them and ask for more information.
Allen A. McBride, Camp Mac

Stellar Staff at Family-Friendly Elk Mountain Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado

This link to the Traveling Mama's website was sent to us this last week. Just thought I would share it with you!

Stellar Staff at Family-Friendly Elk Mountain Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado

Happy 4th of July!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe 4Th of July. Remember Freedom is not Free. A special thanks to all veterans, our troops and those that suuport our men and women in uniform.


"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~Erma Bombeck

5 Great Reasons to Have a Wedding at a Dude Ranch

1. The Scenic Setting
Picturesque surroundings such as the majestic Rocky Mountains or wide open spaces like the Arizona desert are frequently home to guest ranches. Some have rivers or lakes on their property; others have large pastures or dramatic ridges. A couple who said their outdoor wedding photographs at a ranch were so beautiful that folks asked if they were shot in a studio with a scenic backdrop!

2. Friendly, Down-to-Earth People
No snooty staff member would last long at a ranch! Everyone pulls their weight and works together to make your wedding a wonderful, personal experience. Ranch folks
will welcome you and treat you like one of the family. Don’t be surprised if, before
you leave, the staff know all your names, what you like to eat and which horse you
prefer to ride!

3. One-Stop Destination
Come for a Friday night rehearsal dinner, get married outdoors Saturday morning, have an elegant reception Saturday afternoon, then stay for a honeymoon after the wedding! Dude and guest ranches have comfortable accommodations to provide lodging for overnight guests after they’ve enjoyed the wedding and reception. That way, there’s more time for guests to have fun and it eliminates driving home in the dark! Also, since ranches are generally on large plots of land, the noise factor isn’t a problem for the neighbors.

4. Outdoor Activities
Most ranches offer good clean fun in the great outdoors - horseback riding, nature
hikes, hay rides, swimming pools, tennis and game courts fantastic trophy trout fly fishing and rock-climbing Many now have hot tubs and offer massages for relaxing after an active day. Some even offer spa services.

5. Location, Location, Location
Many ranches give you the feeling that you’re far away from the big city but they are actually close to airports and major highways. Often, shuttle buses from the local airport will drop folks off at the ranch property or at a nearby central location in town. Folks are usually amazed at what a beautiful ranch lies nestled in the valley just down the hill from the highway!

There are ranches all over the west that make perfect wedding destinations and there’s sure to be one just right for the two of you. Contact us for more information.