Wednesday, January 13, 2010

84th Annual DRA Convention in Billings, Montana...

CODY, Wyo.—Travel guides define Montana as having a “significant equestrian presence.” That presence increases dramatically next month when a couple hundred or so horsemen and women come ridin’ in for the 84th annual meeting of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, or DRA. Member ranchers, associate members, vendors, and media convene Feb 2nd – 6th for the signature event of the year at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings, Montana.

For the first time this year, the Dude Ranchers’ Association has teamed up with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch for a Casino night Fundraiser. The event will be held Feb 3rd. There will be a live band, auction, costume party, raffles and lots of good old fashioned fun.

The Dude Ranchers’ Educational Trust founded in 1988 has awarded over one hundred thirty thousand dollars in scholarships to students who in some way through their careers will help to perpetuate the Western Lifestyle of Dude Ranching. There is a wide range of careers that would qualify such as Culinary, Marketing, Farrier, Land Management, Herd Management, Hospitality, Accounting etc.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Located on the edge of Billings, Montana, their 400-acre main campus includes nine residential lodges, two of which are intensive-care units, two therapeutic community homes, and an accredited school. They are an integral member of the Billings medical community. As a private, not-for-profit multi-service agency, they provide intensive residential treatment and extensive Community Based Services (CBS) for youth and families.

The first official meeting of the Dude Ranchers’ Association was held on September 27 and 28, 1926 in Bozeman, Montana. Ranchers, railroad officials and National Park officials attended the two-day event to discuss the five objectives set forth:1) Establish cooperation among ranchers and railroad officials 2) Discuss the transportation and proper care of guests 3) Create advertising and publicity for the association 4) Standardize practices 5) Create an efficient sales organization. Having agreed to all five objectives, the ranchers added a sixth - the Organized Protection of fish and game.

For more information about this event please, contact The Dude Ranchers’ Association at 866-399-2339 or info@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org

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