Two horses running in the field

I Wish

by with No Comment iLoveiRanchiRide

I don’t like to wish away days. “I wish it was Saturday”, “I wish it was next month”, “I wish it was Spring”. I used to do a lot of wishing away Winter. Here in North Idaho, we have four very distinct seasons. So if I spent my whole life wishing away Winter, I would have been un-happy, un-satisfied and un-greatful for a quarter of my life. A few years back, I vowed not to wish away anymore; to find joy and contentment in each day that passes. I was reminded that Idaho’s Winter’s are beautiful and enchanting. I re-learned how to ski with my then 5 year old daughter. I found out that my favorite time for photos is when it’s snowing. And I was reminded that I love curling up in front of the fire with a good book. All that being said, I struggled the last few days to not be dreaming about days like the one in this picture and riding that spotted horse. The snow is falling, the wind is blowing and I have two sick kiddos who have been asleep on the couch instead of going to school and playing outside. But even confined to the house, I have found little joys. I cought up on blog posts, edited photos, cleaned, organized and got to spend some quality time with my kids. I even baked 3 dozen sweet potato cinnamon rolls which I have been living on for the last three days. I found a lot of joy in those cinnamon rolls! 

Pat Wyse

Pat Wyse Clinic Notes

by with No Comment iPlayiRanchiRide

Since my childhood, Patrick Wyse has been the horsemanship mentor to myself, my family and many of my friends. His yearly visit to Sandpoint, Idaho for a four-day community clinic was anxiously awaited and highly anticipated.  After many years of traveling the country teaching clinics, Pat announced his retirement from traveling to teach community clinics. He informed us that he would continue to teach summer clinics at his ranch in Townsend, Montana.  We were thrilled this Spring, after years and years of begging Pat and his wife Doreen to come to our ranch, to get the green light from them for a wrangler training clinic taught by Pat.

What follows is my clinic training journal from the Pat Wyse Basic Handle clinic at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Family

What is Western Pleasure Guest Ranch? A job and a lifestyle.

by with No Comment iLoveiPlayiRanchiRide

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is truly a family owned and operated ranch. The owners, Roley and Janice, will likely cook and serve you breakfast each morning. Their children will saddle your horse and guide you through the valleys and vistas of the ranch that was their childhood playground. Their grandchildren will play with your children when you stay at the ranch, teaching them where the best hiding spots are for a game of Sardines, and sharing their favorite horse with your child. There is no corporate safety net, trust fund, or bottomless pocket. What you see here on the ranch is us sharing our home and our love of the western lifestyle with you.