Since our founding, the Dude Ranch Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students who are dedicated to preserving and advancing the dude ranching industry and Western culture.

We’re proud to share that $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded for the upcoming academic year—made possible by the generous support of people like you.

Meet this year’s incredible scholarship recipients:

Jymie Adamson is a breakaway roper from Buffalo, WY, attending Weatherford College in Texas and pursuing a career in the rodeo business.

Hannah Crosby, a wrangler at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, is enrolled in Penn Foster’s online program to become a vet tech focused on supporting dude ranches and nonprofits.

Ruth Ann Cypert worked in the children’s program at Tumbling River Ranch and is now studying at Samford University in Alabama with an interest in ranch-focused architecture.

Skye Forgan, part of the Rainbow Trout Ranch family, is studying at Colorado Mesa University and working her way through school with a deep passion for horses.

Christine Howe, raised on A Bar A Ranch, is attending Colorado College and is passionate about regenerative grazing and preserving ranching traditions.

Devyn Jones, a lifelong equestrian focused on reining and cutting horses, is studying Equine Sciences – Western Training and Business Management at the University of Findlay in Ohio.

Gunnar Lund, a guest-turned-wrangler at Lazy L&B Ranch, is studying at Bellarmine University in Kentucky and was inspired to become a nurse after a life-changing interaction with a guest.

Aubrey Matthew, valedictorian and deeply connected to Rich Ranch in Montana, is attending Abilene Christian University to study speech pathology.

Josie Meyring, a fifth-generation cattle rancher and rodeo team competitor, is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and keeps three horses at college while remaining committed to ranch life.

Taylor Peck is majoring in Natural Horsemanship with a minor in Agricultural Management at the University of Montana Western and truly embodies the cowgirl spirit.

Betti Travers, a ten-year 4-H participant studying Elementary Education at the University of Idaho, is passionate about teaching riding and preserving Western traditions.

Laurel Wilfert, a therapy riding coach for a nonprofit serving veterans and children, is pursuing Cosmetology at the Total Transformation Institute in Texas with plans for a future in Ag Business.