Kaulana Papalimu
Director of Horse Operations
Hometown: Hilo, HI
Coming soon!
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.
River Hofman
Herd Health Manager
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Brookings, OR
We are thrilled to have River back for her eighth season where she’ll continue heading up the barn and our herd 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!
Alisha Burtchett
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Alisha is back in the barn for her third season here at the ranch! She 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.
Nick Jannsen
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
Nick is back for his fourth season at VVR. After getting his fill of moving snow last winter, he’s happy to be horseback for this one. 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.
Jenna Wolski
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Jenna joins us in the barn for her fourth 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.
Rebecca Filiatreau
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Broomfield, 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.
Kate Bonaquisti
Wrangler
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Kate is excited to spend her first summer working at Vista as a wrangler. She grew up owning and riding horses and is passionate about helping other people learn to enjoy horses. She is one of four siblings and in 2015 her family served at a missions hospital on the rural coast of Honduras where she developed a desire to serve people through the medical field. She recently graduated from nursing school and has since loved working as a cardiac nurse. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being involved at her church, reading, cooking, fishing, and going on hikes with her Bernese Mountain dog, Owen. She recently married her best friend and elementary school classmate, Christian, who is also working at the ranch this summer! They are both excited to live in Colorado and to contribute to the unique environment and community here at Vista.
Ethan Beseris
Wrangler
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Ethan joins us for his first season at Vista after spending the last three years as a wrangler at Swan Mountain Outfitters in West Glacier, MT. He enjoys skiing and riding in his spare time and was once a nationally ranked swimmer!
Caroline Fernandez
Wrangler
Hometown: Wayne, PA
Caroline is bringing with her 18 years of horse experience to her first season here at Vista as a wrangler. She is a recent accounting graduate from Elon University and enjoys spending time with kids and animals.
Nadine Bontrager
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: New Paris, IN
Nadine is so happy to be in the barn this season. Her spontaneous spirit has called her back to the mountains. This will be her second season at Vista and she says her time here has been a great growing experience after growing up in a small Amish town.
Tanner Ripley
Wrangler
CPR and First Aid Certified
Hometown: Steamboat Springs, CO
Tanner is a Colorado native, born and raised right here in the valley! He sure is fun to go out on a ride with, and he’s excited to bring his passion for hospitality and chatting with people to the ranch this summer. He attends High Point University where he’s currently studying sports media and playing hockey. Fun facts: he loves movie soundtracks and was a champion pig showman!