Head Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Austin, TX
We are so excited to have Steph back for a fourth season! Originally from Texas, Steph attended college at Colorado State University where she fell in love with Colorado and has stayed ever since. She has spent 2 years before coming to Vista working on a working cow ranch. Steph oversees all equestrian operations, including our guest riding program, our herd of 100 horses, and training our younger horses.
Herd Health Manager
Wilderness First Responder, First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Clarence Center, NY
Mary is an accomplished equestrian and veteran of the Hunter-Jumper circuit, whose love of the mountains brought her to Vista Verde in 2014. She has held myriad roles at the ranch from Kid Wrangler to Housekeeper to Head Wrangler. When you join Mary for a horsemanship clinic or riding lesson, be sure to ask her what project she is working on, because she is always learning something new!
Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Oakland, MD
Steph is joining the wranglers for her sixth season at VVR! Steph has also worked in reservations and as a ranch hand. Before coming to the ranch she graduated from West Virginia University. She then worked for an organization called Young Life in Buena Vista, CO. This summer you will find her hiking and reading as many books as she can.
Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Bowling Green, KY
Sophia, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, is joining us for her second season at VVR. She is passionate about teaching horsemanship skills to others, and fostering positive experiences with horses that inspire people to continue riding after their trip to VVR. Before coming to the ranch, Sophia worked for five years as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
Wrangler
CPR
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Ellie joins us for her first summer at Vista Verde. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Business at the University of South Carolina. Ellie enjoys traveling and has studied abroad in Spain. She loves the outdoors, snorkeling, fishing, and exercising. Fun Fact: Ellie is fluent in Spanish!
Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Maddie worked at Vista Verde in the summer of 2017 and has anxiously awaited the opportunity return! Most recently, she attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Human Rights and Humanitarianism. Maddie grew up in Chicago and her amazing parents drove her to the suburbs to ride almost every weekend! She is so excited to be joining the Vista family again and is looking forward to a great season! Fun Fact: Maddie competed in her first triathlon last summer and hopes to complete another one soon.
Wrangler
CPR, AED, First Aid
Hometown: Simpsonville, SC
Before joining the VVR crew for her first summer, Allie completed her Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. Horses have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Allie owns two horses, a barrel horse that she’s trained and a two-year old she recently started under saddle. She has been practicing barefoot farriery for clients for over three years and plans to become a certified farrier in the next few years.
Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Chaffin joins the barn for her first season at Vista Verde after living and working in Yosemite National Park, where she enjoyed the most incredible hikes and wonderful travelers from around the world. She loves people, the outdoors, Disney, chocolate, and Bollywood music. She’s also a fan of singing loudly and dancing!
Wrangler
CPR and CHA
Hometown: Northwoods, IL
This is Tori’s first season at Vista Verde. Before coming to the ranch, she was a riding instructor in Oklahoma. Tori has also worked at a summer camp, teaching kids how to ride and take care of horses. When not riding, Tori enjoys exploring the great outdoors through hiking and running.
Wrangler
First Aid, CPR, AED
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Madeleine joins us for her first season at the ranch, where she is looking forward to sharing her passion for horses, adventure, and nature with guests amidst the stunning backdrop of the Rockies. She completed her MA in the History of Art at the University of London-Courtauld Institute of Art this past year, and has pursued her love of the arts in positions at galleries in Seattle, London, and Berlin. Madeleine enjoys hiking with friends, swimming in the ocean, reading, visiting museums, collecting records, and going to the movies.
Wrangler
Hometown: Steamboat Springs, CO
Maggie is a high school junior, who is born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This summer she is helping out in the barn with chores and hanging out with the kids during Dine and Dash. Some of her hobbies are photography, animal training, horseback riding, writing, baking, and going on hikes. Fun Fact: She started her own podcast in 2021, called Choose Happy.