What is your role at Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort?
Wrangler
How long have you been at Alisal Guest Ranch?
Two years
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised right over the hill from here in Santa Barbara.
How old were you when you knew you had to be around horses all the time?
For as long as I can remember I have lived horses. I have been fortunate enough to have many family members involved with horses and was a year and a half when I was gifted a Shetland pony named Duke.
What is your favorite part about what you do at Alisal?
My favorite part about the Alisal has been getting to know people from all over the world. And a close second would be seeing a first time or nervous rider come back with a smile and the want to ride again.
Do you have a favorite horse and if so, who and why?
If I had to choose a favorite horse at the ranch I would have to choose “Ted” a 20 year old buckskin quarter horse. Ted is my favorite for many reasons. One is that he is a very resposive horse with out being too fast. The other reason is that Ted and I have a history long preceding our life at the Alisal. When one of my cousins had her wedding Ted came to California from Arkansas as a gift to my uncle. A few years later I was introduced to the sport of team roping and needed a horse that I could compete on yet was still safe for a beginning roper. I tried many horses but the only horse I could get along with was of course Ted. I used Ted in team roping on the heeling side and in an event called breakaway roping for two years. Fast forward another few years and “Big Ted” is living a semi retired life on walk and trot rides at the Alisal.
What is your recommendation for guests trying horseback riding for the first time?
For guests trying to ride for the first time I would just advise to let us know this. The more informed we are at the barn about your riding ability, the better we can match horse and rider. Other than that just come on down with a smile because you’ll be taken care of.
What should guests not miss when they come to Alisal?
There are so many activities that it would be difficult to say what someone should not miss. Two activities that I highly recommend if you happen to be here during the summer are the morning cowboy biscuits and the Wednesday night rodeo and BBQ. Both of these activities are something that the entire family from the youngest to the oldest can enjoy.
What is your favorite food on earth?
Although I love the dessert out here on the ranch my favorite food would be hands down my grandmother’s home made spaghetti.
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