A Horse Lover’s Favorite TV Show Inspires Wonderful Weekend Trip

I had the opportunity to ride Cricket with the cast and crew from Best of America by Horseback. This television show airs on RFD-TV which is on channel 231 on Dish Network if you car to check it out. I watch every chance I get, not just Best of America by Horseback but any show that I may have time for.

I heard about this show coming to California so looked into it, found the place I wanted to join in and loaded Cricket in the trailer for our next adventure. 

It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was perfect during the daytime and slightly chilly at night. As I drove up to Reed Valley Ranch I was relaxed and happy. Going on a trail ride with my perfect horse in a new place is always the best way for me to spend a weekend.

I studied the directions given to me by the folks at Reed Valley Ranch. Part of the directions said, “If you think you’re lost, you’re almost there,” and it was true. I could tell by the little map I had that it was out in no-wheres-ville, which I adore, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, given the directions and warning therein. I only had to call once to ask for help to get there.

Their directions also said, “Do not use GPS or other directions, they won’t get you here,” and of course my GPS told me to go the wrong way and I made one wrong turn, but it was only a five-minute detour. I decided on no more GPS for this trip. 

Don, the ranch manager, was sweet and patient in helping me figure out where I was and how to fix my direction over the phone, all the while people had to be pouring into the ranch. Rattling down the nearly seven miles of unfamiliar dirt road at the final leg of the trip got me a little unnerved, but nothing major. I saw a truck and trailer behind me, so I figured I was headed in the right direction. Signs to the ranch were posted from time to time and definitely helped find the right way to go. 

Upon arrival there was a flurry of activity as folks pulled in and checked in. A nice young man came over and sweetly directed me what to do and where. All the people that worked for Reed Valley Ranch wore shirts to identify themselves, so it was easy to pick them out. I was welcomed with open arms by everyone that was assisting with check-in and they made settling in a breeze. I got Cricket into a 12-by-12-foot corral, gave her food and water and drove to my camping spot. 

I chose to camp, but Reed Valley Ranch does have a bunkhouse available for a small fee. It’s a cute little building with restroom, shower and bunk beds set up inside. Several people chose to share the bunkhouse for the weekend. I camped next to some really nice people from Las Vegas. Joe, the gentleman from Vegas, reminded me of Baxter Black (Cowboy Poet) in many ways. He had a lovely living quarter trailer that he welcomed me to hang out in during the cool evenings between dinner and bed. Sharon, his friend along for the ride also from Vegas, was a hoot and really sweet. She and I hit it off instantly. We hung out all weekend.

On the other side of me was The Six Pack.  A group of six women from the East Coast (Maine, Maryland, Vermont and New York) were traveling the country for a couple of months with their horses so they dubbed themselves The Six Pack. They were having a great time driving from state to state and riding in places they’d always dreamed of. We sat and listened to some of their travels and marveled at their bravery and good fortune. Ah, to be able to do something like that.

The first day we all rode out for a short shoot of about two hours. Many of the horses were hyped up since they were in a new place with unfamiliar horses, but I think what really got to many of them were the people with cameras waiting in the brush. Most trail horses and riders have not had the experience of people quietly sitting in the bushes along the trail (that’s what predators do), so some were a bit nervous about that. We had a nice, mellow ride and returned to camp for a potluck dinner. Yum! 

The next day after coffee we all saddled up for a four-hour ride that was almost six hours in reality. We took a more challenging trail and it was wonderful. Again, people with cameras for video and still photography were strategically located along the trail and again many of the horses were nervous. I had never been filmed while riding, so I never even considered this being an issue. How was I to know? While it wasn’t that big a deal for Cricket, it was for some of the horses, but no one got hurt and nothing bad happened to human or animal. 

Returning to the ranch, unsaddling, washing horses down and getting them fed for the evening, I watched all of the people thank their horses, smiling all the while. I gazed across the expanse of the ranch proper and every person was offered assistance, asked if they needed anything and reminded of the catered dinner that was nearly ready. No cooking or dish washing waited for any of us visiting the ranch.

During the couple of hours after the ride and during dinner, I sat back and observed the goings-on. I was reminded of the days gone by that you might now only see in an old Western movie: kind ranchers welcoming and accommodating visitors to their homestead. The whole family from mom, dad and teenagers on to the smallest child, heck, even the dog, spoke softly and respectfully to everyone around them. Children saying “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” and never interrupting a soul. It was magnificent and sweet. 

Don and Janet, who run the ranch for the four sisters that own it, are originally from Idaho, they told me. They came to RVR to help and fell in love. RVR is a working cattle ranch and we rode among them some of the time.

“We ride for the brand,” Don told me. “We love this place and these people and always do them right.”

I sat in awe, as this is so rare a feeling in this world anymore. How refreshing. How dignified. I don’t think I could have been any more pleased. 

Best of America by Horseback host Tom Seay, of course, has my dream job. He and his crew travel our great nation, equines in tow, and at each destination they ride horses and mules. I had the opportunity to talk with Seay briefly and with CEO Mark Laney. These men are two of the most genuine, kind and gentle people I have ever met.

I didn’t go up to Reed Valley Ranch with any preconceived expectations or notions. I believe that every experience is what it is and each should be cherished for just that. The cast and crew took the time to get to know the names of the people they were speaking to. They rarely spoke of themselves but rather listened to those speaking. They talked about some of the people they’d met over the years and every word was kind and meaningful.

Laney, who rides a mule, told me they had just come up from El Cajon where they’d visited Challenge Ranch and he told me about the “amazing things that happen there between kids and horses,” and I knew he meant it. Seay advised all of us to, “Exchange information with those around us and make friends, make plans in the future together if possible. You’ll probably have some great friends for life,” then thanked all of us for joining him and his family and crew for this wonderful weekend. 

If you ever have the chance to visit Reed Valley Ranch I highly recommend you do so! If you are a trail rider, join up with Best of America by Horseback for a ride with some of this nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Even if you don’t care about being on television, the ride is worth it and the company is too!