Head Wrangler
CPR & First Aid Certified
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.
Wrangler
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Oakland, MD
Steph is joining the wranglers for her sixth season at VVR! Steph is the go to girl because she has worked in just about every department at the ranch. 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. Fun fact: when Steph was young she dreamed of winning the popular TV show American Idol!
Wrangler
CPR & First Aid Certified
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 & First Aid Certified
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 & First Aid Certified
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 & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
After working as a wrangler at VVR after graduating college, Mandy returned to VVR five years ago to head up our Kids’ Program. She brings her years of experience as a special education teacher, and her love of horses and nature to the program. She enjoys living near the Zirkel Mountains with her husband, son, daughter, dogs, cats, fish and all our wild animal friends that come on a regular basis.
Wrangler
CPR & First Aid Certified
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
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: Jacksonville, TN
We are so excited to welcome Hayes into the barn for his first season at VVR! Hayes is a recent graduate from Lee University in Tennessee. He loves any and all outdoor activities, and in particular hiking, kayaking, and playing sports with friends. Hayes used to work at Chick Fil A, but he is putting his chicken days behind him and changing gears to working with horses.