Lariat Legacy Volume 4
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Lariat Legacy, The Magazine, Volume 4
Lariat Legacy is more than print on paper—it’s a keepsake of the dude ranch way of life. Every page slows the pace, opening space for guests to breathe in the traditions, landscapes, and stories of the West. Whether seasoned riders or first-time visitors, readers find themselves connected to a heritage worth preserving. At only $4 a copy, plus shipping, it’s a simple touch with lasting impact. Tuck copies into cabins, lounges, and quiet corners where guests pause to rest and reflect.
Share the legacy. Spark conversations. Ride with Us!
Email info@duderanchfoundation.org to order your copies today.
Safety on the Trail, Season After Season
Wrangler Trainings Head South for the Winter Season
The Dude Ranch Foundation Horse Safety Program
After a successful summer of Horse Safety Wrangler Trainings across Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana, the program is heading into a new season—this time in sunny Arizona. As cooler weather settles in across the northern states, Arizona’s dude ranches are just beginning their peak season, and so is our commitment to safety and training.
📍 Upcoming Wrangler Training at White Stallion Ranch
We’re excited to kick off the Arizona season with a Wrangler Training at White Stallion Ranch on October 26th at 9 AM, led by instructor Russell True.
👉 To register, contact Russell at rtrue@whitestallion.com.
Receiving a Wrangler Certificate through the Dude Ranch Foundation’s Horse Safety Program sets a consistent, industry-wide standard that protects guests, horses, and wranglers alike. Whether in summer or winter, these trainings ensure every wrangler on the trail is confident, prepared, and committed to safety.
A special shout-out to our lead instructor, Will Ferguson, who traveled more than 2,600 miles this summer to make trainings possible across the region. We’re also deeply grateful to all of our instructors whose time, knowledge, and passion keep this vital program thriving year-round.
👉 Learn more about the Horse Safety Program and 2025 trainings HERE.
For additional information, contact the DRF office at 307-586-1831 or email info@duderanchfoundation.org.
Thank you to NFP, Glencar Insurance Company, and Outdoor Insurance for your essential sponsorship!
Sunshine to Sweater Weather
New Fall Hours start October: Mon–Thurs, 9 AM–5 PM
🍁 A New Season at the Dude Ranch Foundation & Western Heritage Museum!
After an incredible summer season, we’re excited to welcome the crisp days of fall. This past summer was among our busiest in years, and we are grateful to all who visited and joined us in celebrating the artifacts, stories, and traditions that honor the legacy of dude ranching.
With October here, the museum has now transitioned to fall hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Whether you visited during the summer or are planning a trip this fall, we look forward to welcoming you and sharing the history and heritage of dude ranching in the American West.
Horse Safety Tip
See Safety from Their Perspective
Horse Safety Tip
Tip for Safe Handling: Mind the blind spots.
Horses can’t see directly in front of their nose or straight behind their tail. Approaching from these areas can startle your horse and put you at risk. Always come from the side, near the shoulder, where you’re in view. Even the calmest horse can react suddenly if surprised! Respecting these blind spots helps keep both you and your horse safe.
The Wealth Beneath Your Boots
Soil fertility holds surprising financial rewards for landowners
Boa Safra Ag
The following content is provided by Boa Safra Ag, a valued partner of the Dude Ranch Foundation.
Most ranchers know every acre of their land above ground. But what about the value hidden beneath it? Boa Safra Ag helps agricultural landowners uncover IRS-recognized tax deductions based on the fertility of their soil. Known as Legacy Nutrient Deductions™, these savings average more than $1,700 per acre for qualifying ranches, farmland, and even production timberland purchased or inherited within the last 20 years.
With more than 5,000 landowners served nationwide, our audit-tested process turns hidden nutrient value into real financial benefit. That means stronger operations, healthier balance sheets, and more resources to keep your ranch legacy thriving for the next generation.
Yes, it really does exist — and it’s as real as the land you ride on. To show the impact, here are a few state-specific examples:
DRA Boa Safra Tax Deduction Value by State → Read the full report and see all states.
Trails to Tomorrow
A Wrangler’s Path to Medicine
Gunnar Lund
When Gunnar Lund first set foot on the Lazy L&B Ranch in 2021 with his father, he had no idea he’d discover more than just a vacation. The ranch, nestled at 7,200 feet in Wyoming’s East Fork valley and surrounded by the Wind River and Absaroka ranges, felt like another world. Rustic log cabins, star-filled skies, and serene trails greeted him. At the heart of this historic family-run ranch, the Halmay family welcomed every guest as if they were a part of their own legacy.
Gunnar Lund out on a ride.
Drawn by breathtaking horseback rides, fly-fishing in pristine streams, and evenings around glowing campfires, Gunnar and his Dad returned as guests in 2022. The following summer, Gunnar joined as an interning wrangler under head wrangler Julia, learning the rhythms of ranch life. He would go on to work as a full-time wrangler each summer thereafter.
Gunnar Lund with family iand friends on the ranch.
One week, while guiding rides and sharing campfire stories, he met a family from his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The parents, a doctor and an anesthesiologist, opened his eyes to the world of medicine and introduced him to the potential in a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). What began with casual trail conversations soon became a spark of inspiration, illuminating a path Gunnar hadn’t considered before. Encouraged by the connection, Gunnar is now enrolled as a freshman in Bellarmine University’s nursing program, exploring the path of becoming a CRNA.
“I owe so much to the Lazy L&B Ranch—not just for the skills I gained as a wrangler, but for the people it brought into my life. A single guest connection changed my future, opening the door to a career I had never imagined. The ranch was the bridge to both my passion for the West and my path in medicine.”
Gunnar Lund with his horse.
Today, Gunnar stands as a shining example of how the dude ranch experience can shape lives. The Lazy L&B wasn’t just a destination; it was a gateway into lifelong friendships and new horizons. Proudly supporting his journey, the Dude Ranch Foundation has awarded a scholarship for the upcoming academic year. Gunnar’s journey—from guest, to intern, to wrangler, to nursing student—shows the profound impact of the dude ranch community.
Celebrating Our 2025–2026 Scholarship Recipients
The DRF Scholarship Program
Building on stories like Gunnar’s, we’re proud to highlight the students who make up this year’s scholarship class. With $30,000 in awards, the Dude Ranch Foundation is helping the next generation of leaders pursue their education while keeping the traditions and values of the American West alive.
Jymie Adamson
Weatherford College, TX
Breakaway roper from Buffalo, Wyoming; pursuing a rodeo business career.
Hannah Crosby
Penn Foster, Online
Wrangler at Nine Quarter Circle; aiming to support dude ranches and nonprofits as a vet tech.
Ruth Ann Cypert
Samford University, AL
Worked in children’s program at Tumbling River Ranch; interested in ranch-focused architecture.
Skye Forgan
Colorado Mesa University
Worked multiple positions as part of the Rainbow Trout Ranch family; committed to self-funding her education and is passionate about horses.
Christine Howe
Colorado College
Grew up on the A Bar A Ranch; passionate about preserving ranch traditions and studying regenerative grazing practices.
Devyn Jones
University of Findlay, OH
Lifelong equestrian focused on reining/cutting horses; pursuing degree in Equine Sciences – Western Training and Business Management.
Gunnar Lund
Bellarmine University, KY
From guest to intern to wrangler at the Lazy L&B Ranch; inspired to pursue nursing through a dude ranch guest interaction.
Aubrey Matthew
Abilene Christian University
Valedictorian with lifelong family connection to Rich Ranch in Montana; plans to study speech pathology.
Josie Meyring
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Fifth-generation cattle rancher and standout student; keeps three horses with her at college to participate on the rodeo team, committed to ranch life and horsemanship.
Taylor Peck
University of Montana Western
Natural Horsemanship major with Ag Management minor; known for embodying the cowgirl spirit and western lifestyle.
Betti Travers
University of Idaho
Active in ag through ten years in 4-H; pursuing a degree in Elementary Education with a passion for teaching riding and preserving western traditions.
Laurel Wilfert
Total Transformation Institute, TX
Therapy riding coach for a nonprofit serving veterans and children with special needs; pursuing a degree in Cosmetology and eventually a career in Ag Business.
To learn more about the Dude Ranch Foundation Scholarship Program, CLICK HERE.
This scholarship will help relieve the financial burden of school and unpaid internships, so I can focus on gaining hands-on experience and building the skills I need to care for animals on and off the ranch. I’m incredibly thankful for the encouragement I’ve received from mentors, my family, and the Dude Ranch Foundation.
Sincerely,
Hannah Crosby
Alliance Partners
Thank you to the Alliance Partners that support the Dude Ranch Foundation mission.
