Dude Ranch Family – Braden

By Arden Foster on January 16th, 2019

(L to R: Arden, Lauryn & Braden)

The beautiful part about dude ranching is that lifelong friendships are made all the time.  Whether between staff or guests or combinations of, dude ranching is all about relationships and strong connections.

The other day, Braden Causey came back to visit the ranch.   You may remember that she was a great wrangler from Wimauma, FL for the summers of 2017 & 2018. Since then, she has found herself in an exciting new world – Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! It was so interesting to hear about what goes on behind the scenes putting together and working at a prestigious and well-known performance like this one.

Braden is one of twenty-five riders who perform up to five shows six days a week, while the watching guests eat a four-course meal and cheer on either the North or the South. They have about forty horses that riders perform different acts on, from intricate twelve horse drill-team movements to Roman riding, as well as dances and skits.  To choregraph and perfect such a performance takes time and patience, and talking to her made us so want to see it – we plan on it!  And she said that several staff from her summers at the ranch have come to see her perform.

Its’s amazing how this magic little part of Colorado has brought us all together. Though it was brief, the visit with Braden at the snow-covered ranch was wonderful. We walked through the barn and the lodge, reminiscing about the dances, the rides, and the funny stories from when we all worked together. And after hearing in-depth about her exciting job with the show, I hope I am able to see her at Dolly Parton’s Stampede soon!

And perhaps some of you who live near the area or are passing through sometime might be able to go see her as well.  She still says that working at the ranch was her dream job and I know she’d love to catch up with any RTR guests and friends who come her way.  And maybe you will see me there - after all, it is all about connections!

(L to R: David, Jane, Arden, Braden, & Ronnie)