New Mexico welcomes you with colour and art, music and dance, breathtaking landscapes, and a heritage of Indian, Anglo, and Hispanic cultures that cannot be found in any other state in the union. Every corner of New Mexico possesses romantic qualities, from its centuries old culture to the beautiful and diverse landscapes.
The actions of any New Mexicans, both historical and contemporary, have reached legendary stature. The most identifiable is Billy the Kid, whose antics around the 1880’s not only added fuel to the WILD WEST legend, but also catapulted him into the role of New Mexico’s most famous outlaw.
The people, their heritage and traditions, their skills and their arts, and the land, its awesome beauty, all make New Mexico the unique and colourful place that it is today.

Famous as the ‘Mount Rushmore State’, South Dakota is also home of the great Sioux nation and Wild Bill Hickock. Here you will find prairies, huge lakes, the stark Badlands and the Black Hills, named after the black-green density of pine and fir. But it also has the world’s largest sculpture in-progress, the Crazy Horse Memorial. And of course, Mount Rushmore National Monument, with the 60-foot long faces of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt carved into the mountainside.
Double E Ranch - New Mexico

The Double E has got it all - Cattle, Buffalo and spectacular Apache country, comprising of 30,000 acres of what was formerly the Gila Apache Indian reservation.
This is a family run and operated working ranch that tries to customise the riding to your ability and your desires: be assured this is not a nose to tail experience. Because this is a working ranch there is normally some cattle work to be done all year round and this can involve roundups, branding, sorting, weaning, vaccinating etc. The ranch also offers Gila Wilderness Nature rides, which are horseback adventures designed to explore the flora, fauna and geological wonders of the area. For the more adventurous there are the Wild Bunch Rides (usually November through March): these hard and fast rides cover around 20-30 miles every day and are not for the inexperienced or timid! If all this is not enough, then why not try the cowboy mounted shooting (extra cost), roping and penning or maybe take part in one of the regular horsemanship clinics that are offered.
For those who want a rest from the saddle why not try a little hiking to the old Indian ruins and ancient petroglyphs; maybe you will come across an old Indian arrowhead!
The ranch accommodations are inviting and comfortable, varying from one-bedroom cabins up to a six-bedroom house with kitchen and laundry room. Some have private bathrooms and some have shared facilities.
The ranch prides itself on their informal, family style meals, which are home cooked, hearty and plentiful. Freshly baked breads and desserts are served daily, along with tea, coffee and other soft drinks. You are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages.


 

Fortune Ranch - South Dakota

Visit this exciting authentic working ranch set in over 10,000 acres of South Dakota Badlands and specialising in raising Black Angus beef cattle.
The Fortune Ranch does not have any sort of structured programme but allows the guests to truly get involved with all the ranch work and activities. Depending on the season you may get involved in driving cattle, calving, checking cattle, riding fences and much more. The ranch does cater for all kinds of levels of experience but for the more advanced riders we would recommend either the spring or autumn when you will really be able to test your abilities and get more involved in this truly 4th generation working ranch.
Accommodations are in the main house with shared facilities and the ranch limits the guests to a maximum of six people. Enjoy real western ranch food with plenty of home cooked food. Depending on the time of year, the ranch hands might take you to one of the local rodeos or fairs.
The ranch is only two hours drive from Rapid City with its many surrounding attractions; Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial as well as the Black Hills and The Badlands.


 

Crow Creek Ranch - South Dakota

This small working ranch, which overlooks the scenic Black Hills and has land that borders up to the Wyoming state border, invites guests to participate in every aspect of ranch work; and the varied and unscheduled program allows for excellent riding opportunities.
Dependent upon the time of year, activities and chores on and around the ranch may include moving cattle, checking and sorting, doctoring, vaccinating, checking fences, roping and branding. The ranch also has a large arena for those who want to practice roping and team penning, when not out on the range.
Your hosts Todd and Cindy are very flexible and amenable and quite frequently take guests into town to do some shopping or out to some of the nearby attractions if desired. Evenings at the ranch are spent socialising with your hosts and any other guests, and there is often the chance to visit a local rodeo. If you are not too tired after a busy day, you can swim in the lake to relax your achy muscles and perhaps take a wagon ride.
The newly built lodge comfortably accommodates guests and features three bedrooms all with private facilities, a lounge area and kitchen. The deck is perfect for evening barbeques and boasts fantastic views of the surrounding area, with comfortable patio furniture great for kicking back and relaxing upon. Your hosts cook family style meals to be served at the lodge, or occasionally back at the ranch house, and lunch can be taken out on the trail if you are out riding for the day.


 


Call Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or fax on 01509 610585
Ranch Rider, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DF, England

 

 

NEW MEXICO & SOUTH DAKOTA