Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Casting For Recovery at North Fork Ranch, Colorado

Check out this link to a very powerful and encouraging video on behalf of Casting For Recovery, a breast cancer survivor retreat that took place at the North Fork Ranch in Shawnee, Colorado.  The Casting For Recovery offers free, 2½ day retreats for 14 participants at a time. Fly-fishing instruction is the means used to help women gain skills to cope with recovery from breast cancer.  Their goal is helping one survivor at a time focus on the road to recovery.


The first time you click on the link, it may cover some random news story or something for approximately two minutes. Please just wait for the story to finish and then the Casting For Recovery story will play.   Watch Video   It is worth watching. 

Friday, November 12, 2010

Vote For Ranch Rider’s Colorado Horse-nality Of The Year & Win A 7-Night Family Holiday At The Lost Valley Ranch.

The X-Factor might still be grabbing the headlines, but this Autumn ranching holiday specialist Ranch Rider is teaming up with Colorado Tourism to launch a western themed talent contest: trusty steeds from across the US state, battling it out for the esteemed title of Colorado “Horse-nality (personality) of the Year”. Riding and ranching fans will be able to vote for their favorite mounts from October through December 2010, all of the four legged contestants appearing on the tour operator’s dedicated blog (http://bit.ly/bLg1pW). A major incentive to participate, every vote will be entered into a random draw, the winner trotting off with a 7-night Ranch Rider summer holiday (for two adults and two children) at the Lost Valley Ranch in Deckers, Colorado.


According to Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, “Wherever families decide to ranch, it’s always the friendly mounts that make the holiday, and that’s why we’ve decided to showcase the west through the eyes of Colorado’s trusty steeds.” Irrefutable proof that the Centennial state is a hotbed of trail-blazing talent, the contest will feature every Colorado ranch in the tour operator’s portfolio. And, to ensure voters have all the fodder at their fingertips, Ranch Rider has even enlisted the assistance of “Hondo,” as its “Horse-nality of the Year” mascot. A gelding with a mischievous side, Hondo will be giving voters the low down on all things ranching, whether he’s chewing the bit over his favorite trail ride, introducing the next contestant or spilling the beans on the wonders of the Lost Valley Guest Ranch, his permanent residence. A steed with a celebrity following, Hondo has arranged his own weekly slot on PONY Magazine’s blog (http://www.ponymag.com/) – the first post went live on Friday 8th of October.

An added reason for parents and kid’s to vote, the UK’s number one horsey teen mag is also giving away a year’s subscription to the title. Not forgetting those all important ranch hands, Ranch Rider has even rounded up a few of the state’s cowboys and cowgirls. They’ll be sharing the best of the west on the “Horse-nality of the Year” teen blog, and “on the hoof” horse-bites, plus tips and twips will appear on the riding specialist’s Facebook® and Twitter® pages throughout the three-month contest. To vote, simply send the name of the horse you are voting for, your full name, age, daytime telephone number and email address to competition@ranchrider.com.

Of course, Ranch Rider is aware that the charismatic Hondo will compel many an adventurer to book a stay at the Lost Valley Ranch. Interested guests can join him on the homestead’s daily trail rides or partake in an endless list of pursuits including, river tubing, hiking, fishing and square dancing. The homestead also features a weekly rodeo where budding wranglers can showcase their new found western skills and there are three separate kid’s programs for children aged 3-5, 6-12 and teens.

Entrants can vote once, for one or ALL of the horses featured in Ranch Rider’s Colorado “Horse-nality of the Year” contest. Voting is open globally and there are no age restrictions. All entrants should email the name of the horse they are voting for, along with their full name, age and email address (and parents name and email address if under 13 years) to competition@ranchrider.com Parents who are voting should include the number and ages of their children. For the full list of Terms & Conditions please see http://www.ranchrider.com/.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thank You To Our Veterans

This Veteran's Day, we salute and honor those who have so bravely served this country yesterday, today and tomorrow.  America is founded on the principle of freedom, justice, and liberty for all. Our nation's soldiers serve every day to protect our country and its ideals.  This Veteran's Day, take a moment or two to remember the freedoms we have because of their sacrifice. 
This quote says it best...
“For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.”

Thank you to all our many veterans! 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The DRA Will Celebrate the 85th Annual Convention

The Dude Ranchers' Association will celebrate the 85th Annual DRA Convention in 2011.  The Convention is being held in Tucson, Arizona at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, January 19th - 23rd, 2011.  The Associations' ranch members, Associate members and many great vendors attend this event..the largest attended DRA Event of the Year.
The Association's original membership of thirty-five ranches from the Yellowstone area has now grown to 100 +member ranches in 12 western states and two Canadian provinces. In spite of this growth, the Association today remains dedicated to preserving the beauty, natural resources, and the original western ranch experiences that attracted the first visitors. Within this context, the Association has produced industry standards, a common means for promoting dude ranch vacations, and a single source for the exchange of ideas and information.

True to its roots, The Dude Ranchers' Association is still a diverse group, composed of cattle ranches who accept paying guests and mountain top lodges that offer a ranch atmosphere. All preserve the open warmth and hospitality of the first ranches and allow for the original western ranch experience by requiring an extended stay. The formation of lasting bonds and memories still brings families back to ranches generation after generation. This is truly a living testimony to the timelessness of the values and standards of the original dude ranchers. Today, as it did over a century ago, the western dude ranch experience offers relief for both the body and spirit of those seeking refuge from the pressures and routine of modern life.  A Dude Ranch Vacation is....the Original Western Vacation!
The 85th Annual Convention Highlights:

  • 3 Day Convention with 2 Day Vendor Show
  • Build lasting relationships with all DRA Members!
  • Seminars
  • Round-Table Discussions 
  • Marketing Tips & Trends
  • State of the Association 
  • Ranch To Ranch Discussion
  • Casino Night with Coaches for Charity
  • The White Stallion Team Penning Calcutta and Competition
  • Horse Safety Courses on Wednesday & Sunday
  • The Infamous Pigeon Rolling
  • More Entertainment
  • 20+ Vendors
  • Food, Family, Friends & FUN!
  • Annual Educational Trust Banquet & Auction
For more information please contact the DRA office at info@duderanch.org or 866-399-2339!