Head Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Brookings, OR
We are thrilled to have River back for her fifth season where she’ll continue heading up the barn and our heard of ponies. Prior to joining us she was active duty in the US Coast Guard. River is a Registered Yoga Teacher and an outdoor enthusiast who loves climbing, slack lining, skiing, and photography. Be sure to ask her about the pet alligator she used to have!
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Jackie is back for her third season at VVR! She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2021, and decided to become a cowgirl. Lucky us! She loves any time spent outside, especially exploring the mountains on horseback.
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Bluemont, VA
Jamie is back with us after her first winter season at VVR. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, she previously worked for two different veteran organizations, focused on helping and supporting our nation’s combat veterans and their families. With a calling to serve, she has attended multiple mission trips with various groups, traveling to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Zambia, Africa. Jamie enjoys staying active and being outdoors, including horseback riding, hiking, climbing, shooting and going on runs.
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Sugarcreek, OH
Diane is back for her second summer with us, this time bringing her hardworking spirit to the barn team. She’s been working hard since she was fourteen: babysitting, waitressing, landscaping – you name it! Competitive by nature, she loves playing just about any sport. And when she’s not enjoying the great outdoors she’ll be exploring new places and taking pictures along the way.
Wrangler
CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
Nick is back for his second season at VVR. After getting his fill of moving snow this winter, he’s joining the wrangler team. Before coming to Vista, he was lead wrangler at Emerald Valley Ranch in Colorado Springs. Nick’s also an Army vet and served as Airborne Infantry in the 82nd Airborne. When he’s not saddling horses, you’ll find him mountain biking, fishing, shooting and exploring our gorgeous wilderness area.
Wrangler
CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Jenna joins us in the barn for her second season at the ranch! Back home in Alabama she has three horses of her own, where she enjoys barrel racing, trail riding, and the rodeo. She attended the University of South Carolina where she majored in Public Health. Jenna loves animals of all sorts, outdoor sports, traveling, meeting new people and her family.
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Tryon, NC
Elise joins us for her first summer at VVR and brings her experience running her own horse business and raising four kids to the barn. She was born in Richmond, VA and graduated from Virginia Tech, and while she’s called North Carolina home for a long while, her heart decided it was time to get out west. When she’s not riding she loves to hike, camp, backpack, kayak and shoot: pictures, arrows and guns!
Wrangler
CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Bloomfield, KY
Rebecca grew up in Bloomfield, Kentucky with a close-knit family. A graduate of Western Kentucky University she taught special education for 4 years. She also has about 8 years of experience working in therapeutic riding and loves animals, the outdoors, reading and traveling. Recently, she’s been trying out all the awesome sports the Colorado Mountains have to offer including skiing, fly fishing and hiking. This is her first summer at the ranch and we’re so happy to have her!
Wrangler
CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Alisha graduated with a B.S. from the University of British Columbia located in her home town, Vancouver, Canada. For the last 6 years, she has been an active member of a local equestrian neighborhood where she has been working, teaching and competing. Growing up, she spent many summer weeks at ranch summer camps and she is excited to spend her first summer with us, getting out on the trails with our guests!