White Stallion Ranch, Tucson AZ
This September, I decided to take the leap and jump aboard the 12 hour flight to Los Angeles into Tucson to stay on a ranch for the week!
Everyone has an idea in their head of what you expect the desert to be, and yet, I was blown away by how atmospheric and VAST everything is out there. The first time setting foot in America surely has this impact on everyone, but the wide roads, huge trucks and a sky that makes you feel so much closer to it truly stays with you (and leaves you wanting so much more!).
Yeah…these cacti blew my mind too.
Stepping off the plane into Tucson, I was immediately hit by a heavy, earthy scent of creosote bushes, which is what give the desert its distinctive, just-rained smell (although much of this could also be attributed to the fact that we flew in through an intense Monsoon with heavy rain and wind, making the very turbulent flight memorable for many reasons!).
I wish there was a way to bottle that scent up and take it home with you, but I’ll just have to make do with going back to the desert to experience it all over again.
The sight that welcomed us into Tucson…an exhilarating flight to say the least!
It was apparently much more humid than an average day in the state, and it genuinely felt like stepping into a greenhouse. Although the rain was welcomed by the locals, temperatures still stayed in the 100s all week.
After staying the night in a local hotel next to Tucson International Airport, we were driven to the ranch, with the first day consisting of settling in and familiarising ourselves with the place. We were incredibly lucky to be in a quiet area tucked away at the back of the ranch, although I can safely say that the entire ranch was beautifully quiet all week long, even on the days when the most guests were checking in and out…you wouldn’t know it!
We were in one of the smaller accommodations on the far side of the ranch, with the main pens right next door: greeted by horses first thing each morning, we had the honour of watching the herd gallop off into the hazy dusk below the setting sun in the West and a mountain view each warm evening.
The location was truly one of the most peaceful places I have thus far had the honour of finding myself in, with that golden light spilling into the room each morning, almost too perfect to be true.
On the Tuesday, I was paired up with the wonderful Quarter Horse 68, my partner for the rides and activities of the entire week. The wranglers do an excellent job of matching you up with your horse based on confidence and experience, and I definitely felt tested and pushed by my mount in just the right dose on my mountain rides, fast rides and team penning.
68 took great care of me and traversed the rocky slopes and mountains with ease, even after throwing two shoes on one ride (after which I briefly borrowed another horse until he was reshod)! The horses truly knew their environment, and you’d be hard-pressed to find more sure-footed creatures.
It felt so freeing and right being in a place where western riding has always been the norm: coming from the UK where English riding is by FAR the popular sport (with only a handful of ranch-style riding instructors scattered around the country!) has proven difficult at times, but only made me more determined to learn everything I could from the professionals and immerse myself in a life that is almost impossible to find in its truest form at home.
And heading to White Stallion Ranch absolutely felt like coming home.
On the Wednesday, the Ranch’s weekly rodeo demonstration made an appearance, with some of the most talented breakaway ropers, steer wrestlers, team ropers and barrel racers from the family all coming together to show us what they do best, under the watchful eye of Russell True (WSR owner).
If you’ve never been to a rodeo event even on a tiny scale such as this, you’re pleasantly surprised by how loud and supportive competitors and audience members alike are, and the action is addictive!
WSR can be classed as more of a ranch-resort, with a wonderful array of activities available every day for riders and non-riders of any age. You could choose to head out on long and short rides, team penning, cattle sorting, pistol and rifle shooting, climbing, archery, electric bike tours, swimming, fascinating talks, visit the fully-stocked gift shop…the list goes on and changes with the seasons, so there’s never a dull moment!
However, I loved the fact that the ranch never felt like a luxury holiday, which would entirely defeat the purpose of such an adventure in my humble opinion. The place felt real, lived in and comfortable, like you’ve stepped into something owned by your own grandparents, and the history is truly palpable.
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or have never been in the saddle, White Stallion Ranch quickly has you loving every moment, and you’ll never have to do something too far out of your comfort zone… although the opportunity is always there, and I absolutely recommend it, as those fast rides out in the desert had me grinning like nothing else.
The staff and fellow guests are also the most accommodating, courteous individuals, always willing to go beyond to help you out and help make your trip unforgettable: never have I been invited to dinner by so many couples and groups from all over the world! And yes, you do leave wishing everyone could be as nice as they are in this tiny pocket of Arizona.
Many had questions about our Queen, who passed away just days before we flew into the States, but all did so with the utmost respect and genuine curiosity, and the Union Jack at the entrance flew at half-mast all week.
Yes, they even cater beautifully for us pesky vegans!
This week spent at White Stallion Ranch was full of so many activities and such raw joy that it’s incredibly difficult to fit it all into the space of a blog…at least, a blog you would all want to read! So all I can say to wrap it up is that nothing will change you quite like a week out in such a vastly different environment to the one you’ve grown so used to.
And nothing feels more right than early morning rides, dining with strangers that become best friends, and a cowboy singing round the campfire with the clearest sky around.
There’s nothing like the power and freedom borrowed on the back of a horse
All in all, this little leap became one of the most memorable adventures of my life so far, and figuring out the logistics of travel, flights and general itineraries has absolutely set me up for future travels (and left me itching to get straight back out on my next adventure). If the chance for travel of any kind ever comes up, don’t let it pass you by!
I couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to Tucson in June 2023, this time as a fully solo flyer and traveller. Speaking with a couple of the wonderful staff at the ranch led me to contact with Russell True, who informed me of a Ranch Camp program where you spend as long as you want essentially living and working on the ranch, helping them out and learning the ropes along the way.
A more perfect photobomb there never will be
Although I would, of course, absolutely love to stay for longer, two weeks will suffice for now.
If you would like to take a look at the ranch for yourself and learn a little more about their weekly activities, you’ll find everything you need over at https://www.whitestallion.com/, and you can find more photos from this trip in my gallery!
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my thoughts, and have a wonderful week.
