Have you ever wanted to run away to the Wild West and get a taste of ranch life? Sharon Rayne and her husband Alistair did just that on our ranch ride in Shell, Wyoming! Sharon’s glorious photos are matched only by her wonderful words, so read on to hear about this holiday from a globetrotter’s perspective.
Were there any stand-out experiences (good or bad) with the accommodation that you would like to mention?
The accommodation was amazing – we were very lucky to have been offered the lodge, it was stunning!!
Were there any stand-out experiences (good or bad) with the meals that you would like to mention?
Excellent food quality – and it was not too much or too little, but just the right amount.
Which horse(s) did you ride? And would you mind elaborating as to why you were happy/unhappy with them?
I rode Earnest for the first three days of ride, and he was lovely. Responsive, willing, and he had nice paces. On the last day I rode Dixie – a bit more forward moving than Earnest, which I enjoyed, too. My husband Alistair rode Zeus for the week and he really loved him – nice and quiet, but willing and steadfast. The perfect horse for the greener rider. Alistair was posting and loping confidently by the end of the week!
In respect to your guides, please elaborate as to their level of service, knowledge of the environment and hospitality.
The guides were all exceptional – very helpful and knowledgeable. They split all of us into different groups according to our riding ability, which worked very well. I spent most of the week with a very good group of riders who were great fun – the guides were confident in our abilities, so they just let us off and we got to do lots of loping.
Did you have a favourite day or experience while on your Globetrotting holiday?
Each day was quite different – it’s hard to pick a favourite! The cattle work on Tuesday was brilliant – a long day, but very rewarding. A small group of us rode the whole distance moving the cows and calves to new pastures with the cowboys and wranglers and had an exhilarating, fast-paced ride home! On Thursday we had two brilliant half-day rides (White Creek Canyon and Five Fingers) and on the final day we went out to see the wild mustangs and got very close to a band. Two young stallions came very close to check us out, which was a unique and moving experience. We took the middle day (Wednesday) off and went to Cody to do some shopping and visit the museum, which worked out really well. Gave the bottoms a rest, too!
In terms of value-for-money, how would you rate this particular ride?
Excellent.
Are there any other services or inclusions you would like to see added to this itinerary?
The whole ride was just perfect!
We would LOVE a testimonial about your Globetrotting experience!
Shell, Wyoming was the perfect ranch riding experience and exceeded all expectations. The scenery was amazing: thousands of acres of vast Wyoming landscape offering a huge variety of trails, from winding river canyons to high mountain vistas of the Bighorn Mountains and Basin and spectacular red-rock cliffs. Marijin and Peter are fantastic hosts who go the extra mile to make sure all guests are well matched with their horses, and the food and accommodation were first class. They did a fantastic job of splitting riders into groups according to their riding ability so that everyone had the opportunity to ride at the level and pace that suited them. We made some wonderful friends at the ranch, with many of the guests coming back multiple times. This truly is a special place and the experience of a lifetime.
And finally, where is your next dream Globetrotting destination?
Patagonia (booked!) and the Scottish Borders Ride! Oh, and Africa!! I’m definitely addicted, and my husband is now, too.
Keen to follow in Sharon’s footsteps? Check out our ranch ride in Shell, Wyoming here!
You can also click here to meet owners and guides Peter and Marijn, or here to meet one of their guest horses, Blacky.
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