Josie Hedderman, Executive Director of the Dude Ranch Foundation.

As summer gives way to fall, we are grateful for another memorable season across the dude ranching community. The dedication of ranch owners, staff, guests, and supporters is what makes this community so special and gives me hope for its future.

I had the opportunity to visit a handful of Colorado ranches this summer, and it was inspiring to witness firsthand the unparalleled joy of a dude ranch vacation. I saw families creating connections and memories that will last a lifetime, from celebrating the 90th birthday of a family matriarch, to welcoming a family from the city who had traveled the world but had never experienced a dude ranch, to watching a nine-year-old girl who began the week trembling at the thought of riding a horse and ended it running a pattern in the arena with an ear-to-ear smile. The confidence she gained will help her navigate all the changes adolescence will bring. True grit and resilience are more than the roots of our dude ranching family tree, they are the forces keeping this legacy alive.

This segment of Dude-Halloo Ranch Edition highlights a few of our exciting autumn events, our newest cohort of Dude Ranch Foundation scholarship trailblazers, and the newly announced recipient of the $30,000 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship offered through our partnership with Durango Boots.

As a donor-supported nonprofit, our work is made possible by those who believe in our mission. If this way of life matters to you, we invite you to be part of its future. Thank you for your meaningful support of the Dude Ranch Foundation. It is an honor to ride alongside you.

Ride with Us!

Josie Hedderman

Executive Director
Dude Ranch Foundation

The West on Display

An Exhibit and Film Celebrating Dude Ranching

Two Ways to Experience 100 Years of Dude Ranching

During the Dude Ranchers’ Association’s centennial year, two extraordinary projects are bringing the history and enduring spirit of dude ranching to audiences across Wyoming: the photographic exhibition The Wrangle and the Wyoming PBS documentary Call of the West.

The Wrangle Extended Through October 6

There is still time to experience The Wrangle, a striking photographic exhibition celebrating the people, landscapes, and traditions of dude ranching.

Produced by the Ranch Preservation Foundation as a companion to the book 100 Years of Dude Ranching, the exhibition features Scott T. Baxter’s photographs of historic dude ranches that have operated for a century or longer.

Originally scheduled to close September 27, The Wrangle has been extended through October 6 at the Dude Ranch Museum in Cody.

Dude Ranch Museum
1122 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming
Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Call of the West Community Screenings

Call of the West chronicles the rise of dude ranching and the people, places, and traditions that shaped the industry. The documentary is a Wyoming PBS production directed by Mat Hames of Alpheus Media.

Sheridan Screening | September 22

• 5:30 p.m. — Doors open at the WYO Theater in Sheridan
• 6 p.m. — Community screening of Call of the West

Cody Screening and Reception | October 6

• 5 p.m. — Final look at The Wrangle and reception at the Dude Ranch Museum
• 5:30 p.m. — Doors open at the Cody Theatre
• 6 p.m. — Community screening of Call of the West

Join us in Sheridan or Cody as we celebrate the remarkable story of dude ranching and the centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association.

Dude Ranch Museum
1122 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming
Open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Learn more about The Wrangle

Learn more about Call of the West

Take the Story Home

Continue the journey with 100 Years of Dude Ranching, a 200-page hardcover featuring Scott T. Baxter’s photography of 26 historic ranches and a history of dude ranching by historian Lynn Downey. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Dude Ranch Foundation.

Order Your Copy

Back to School

Meet Our 2026-2027 Scholarship Recipients

As a new school year begins, we are pleased to reintroduce the 13 students receiving Dude Ranch Foundation scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This year, the Dude Ranch Foundation awarded $32,000 to help ease the cost of tuition, housing, books, horse care, and other educational expenses. This support gives recipients greater freedom to focus on their studies, develop their skills, and prepare for the future.

Laci Christensen
Hastings College, Nebraska
Raised at Colorado’s 4UR Ranch, Laci is beginning her freshman year and exploring studies in hospitality, business, or sports medicine while planning to remain connected to dude ranching.

Ruth Ann Cypert
Samford University, Alabama
A returning recipient studying architecture, Ruth Ann was inspired by her experience at Tumbling River Ranch to explore how thoughtful design can benefit ranch properties.

Savannah Finnegan
University of New Hampshire
Savannah is an aspiring equine veterinarian whose visit to Hunewill Ranch strengthened her appreciation for dude ranching, horses, and equine care.

Skye Forgan
Colorado Mesa University
With lifelong ties to Rainbow Trout Ranch, returning recipient Skye is pursuing a degree in counseling psychology and expects to graduate in Spring 2027.

Isaac Heilman
Des Moines University
A former Lost Creek Ranch staff member and magna cum laude biomedical science graduate, Isaac is pursuing medical training with the goal of serving rural and wilderness communities.

Devyn Jones
University of Findlay, Ohio
Returning recipient Devyn is studying equine sciences with a focus on Western training and business management as she prepares for a career in the dude ranching and equine industries.

Aubrey Matthew
Abilene Christian University
A fourth-generation member of Rich’s Montana Guest Ranch, returning recipient Aubrey is studying speech pathology while continuing to carry forward her family’s ranching legacy.

Lena McIntyre
University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky
Raised at Wind River Christian Guest Ranch, Lena is beginning her studies in dental hygiene with a minor in hospitality and plans to remain involved in dude ranching.

Josie Meyring
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A fifth-generation Colorado cattle rancher and collegiate rodeo leader, returning recipient Josie is studying agricultural communications and psychology.

Taylor Peck
University of Montana Western
Returning recipient Taylor is majoring in natural horsemanship and developing the knowledge and skills needed to build a horse-training business founded on quality horsemanship.

Elizabeth Schoeneberg
Iowa State University
Elizabeth is beginning her studies in agricultural policy, drawing upon her family’s agritourism background and her passion for advocating for family farms and rural communities.

Victoria Sefrino
Centenary University, New Jersey
Victoria is pursuing equine-assisted therapy with the goal of using horses to support children and individuals experiencing trauma, disabilities, or mental health challenges.

Betti Travers
University of Idaho
A returning recipient and Dean’s List student, Betti is pursuing elementary education while sharing her passion for horsemanship, 4-H, and youth development.

From caring for horses and guiding guests to advocating for family farms and preparing to serve rural communities, these students are carrying the lessons of ranch life into classrooms, careers, and communities across the country. Through their determination and diverse ambitions, they are helping ensure that the values and traditions of dude ranching continue for generations to come.

We wish each of our scholarship recipients a successful academic year and look forward to sharing more of their stories in the months ahead.

Investing in the Future of the West

Scholarship Recipient Presley Cooper Is Pursuing a Future in Agricultural Law

National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship Recipient: Presley Cooper

The Dude Ranch Foundation and Durango® Boots are proud to recognize Presley Cooper as the recipient of the third annual $30,000 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship.

Presley attends Fresno State, where she is studying agricultural business with a minor in water studies. Her experiences in 4-H, FFA, rodeo, and the Western way of life inspired her goal of becoming an agricultural attorney. She plans to advocate for farmers, ranchers, and Western communities by helping protect the land and water resources on which they depend.

Presley’s grit, purpose, and dedication reflect the spirit of the National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship. We are proud to support her education as she prepares to make a meaningful difference in the future of agriculture and the American West.

Congratulations, Presley!

Step Into the Story of the West

Visit the Dude Ranch Headquarters & Western Museum This Fall

Visit the Dude Ranch Western Museum Today!

As the seasons change in Cody, the Dude Ranch Museum will transition to its fall and winter schedule. Visitors are welcome Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum offers an opportunity to explore the people, places, and traditions that have shaped dude ranching for more than a century. Through historic artifacts, photographs, and stories, visitors can discover the industry’s lasting influence on the American West.

Whether you live in the Cody area or are passing through this fall or winter, we invite you to stop by and experience the remarkable history of dude ranching.

Fall/Winter Hours
Monday–Thursday
9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Alliance Partners

Thank you to the Alliance Partners that support the Dude Ranch Foundation mission.

Thank You for Supporting the Dude Ranch Foundation!