Wranglers, Colorado Luxury Ranch Resort

Vista Verde Luxury Ranch Resort in Colorado - Our Staff

Kaulana Papalimu

Director of Horse Operations
Hometown: Hilo, HI

Kaulana,fondly known as KP, originally came to the ranch in the summer of 2023 as a late-hire wrangler. He worked his way up to Head Wrangler and Head Trainer before he left briefly in 2018. Born and raised in Hawaii, he began training horses with his Uncle when he was 12 years old. We are thrilled to welcome KP back to VVR this year as he spearheads the role of Director of Horse Operations for us and at our sister property, Steamboat Lake Outpost. KP met his wife, Sam, working here at the ranch and together they have their two little buckaroos, Gabriel and Emma, and the beloved dog Cinch following in their ranch life steps! When KP is singing on music nights, you can find the whole crew dancing along.

John Isder

Head Wrangler
Hometown: Avoca, MN

We are so excited to welcome John back to the barn team this year! He learned everything he knows about horses here at Vista when he worked as a wrangler from 2010-2014. Going on his second season as Head Wrangler, he is ready to help teach you the fundamentals of horsemanship. When he isn’t in the barn, John enjoys to play sports and spend time in town.

Kate Plaisted

Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Eagle, ID

Meet Kate, one of our lovely wranglers for the winter season! Being from Idaho, Kate is no stranger to ranch life and grew up working on her neighbors cattle ranch and riding and training horses on her own property, both English and western! Kate has been coast to coast and graduated in December of 2023 from The University of Miami where she studied music industry and songwriting. She fits right in with our very own “Farwell Mountain Band” where she sings and plays piano, you do not want to miss her on our music nights! When not on the ranch, you will find her hiking, fishing, and skiing this winter.

Cruz Santana

Wrangler
CPR & First Aid Certified
Hometown: San Clemente, CA

Meet Cruz, he starts his second season as one of our amazing wranglers. Cruz is from California but graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in environmental science. He is hanging up his surfboard for now, and is anticipating our winter snows to snowboard! Before coming to VVR, Cruz was a ranch hand back in his home state as well as working as a bodyguard for celebrities, traveling to many places, such as Hawaii, for this job! Ask him about his dog Beau and he will talk your ear off, for now Cinch our beloved ranch dog is second best. We can’t say enough about Cruz and are happy to have him.

Riley Moore

Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Warrenton, VA

Meet Riley! She is from a small town in Virginia, where she grew up on her family farm riding and training horses, in the English discipline, before making the switch to Western when she came out West two years ago. Since then, she has worked on a few different ranches in Wyoming honing her equine skills. When she isn’t riding and caring for our herd, she also loves to pursue her passions for photography, explore the outdoors, hiking, camping, as well as traveling in her downtime.

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