Cowboy Adventure in the Majestic Big Horn Mountains

Sheridan, WY – Join Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program for an authentic cowboy adventure in the majestic Big Horn Mountains at the Double Rafter Ranch near Sheridan, Wyoming

This is our third year at the Double Rafter–our most popular and challenging clinic. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a cowboy or cowgirl, and want to experience ranching the way it was done a 150 years ago, then this is the clinic to sign up for. We’ll join the Double Rafter crew for a week of cowboying that will cover all aspects of cattle handling from horseback. From rounding up cattle scattered throughout tall pines and deep valleys, to branding calves in pristine mountain meadows, to driving 500 cattle over high mountain passes, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

A typical day consists of a hardy meal at sunrise around a campfire with a bubbling pot of cowboy coffee. Once the meal is finished and the day’s work assigned, riders will tack their horses and set off to round up cattle in distant mountain meadows and then drive them to a fresh mountain pastures. You and your horse will work as a team keeping the wily bovines in line and moving in the right direction. We’ll cross babbling brooks and rushing streams; drive cattle over 9000 foot summits; see elk, mule deer, and other wild animals; and ride through some of the most beautiful country our Nation has to offer. 8 to 12 hours later, at the completion of a full day of riding, you’ll enjoy a robust meal around the fire and tall tales from your fellow service members recounting the day’s events.

We’ll get the chance to fish in the historic Big Horn River and grill your catch over the fire. Many will sleep around the fire using their saddle as a pillow or crawl into provided tents with cots in case of rain. We’ll sleep soundly each night under a blanket of stars, with sore muscles from a long day’s ride, and a satisfied smile on our faces knowing we measured up with the cowboy’s of days long ago.

This clinic is open to 18 wounded, injured or critically ill service members, veterans, and their spouses. Here are some pre-requisites:

– Due to demands of riding all day, every day, for 5 straight days, going up and down mountains, and living and working in primitive conditions, I ask only those in reasonable physical condition and gung-ho attitude apply—this is terrific fun, but can be physically demanding. Please visit http://www.doublerafter.com to learn more or call me with your questions.

– I prefer to take those with previous Jinx McCain horsemanship or riding experience due to the amount of saddle time each day and the challenging terrain. But it’s not an absolute requirement for this cattle drive. It’s mostly about can-do attitude rather than knowing how to ride. Most of the riding is done at a walk and a trot, so by the end of the first day’s ride you’ll be an old hand. I’m certain by the end of the week, you’ll have earned your spurs!

– We’ll welcome all wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and their spouses as long as you meet the physical requirements, are self-sufficient, can live in a remote mountain environment without electricity, vehicles, smart phones (no coverage) or other modern conveniences, and can ride a horse for 8-12 hours a day for five days. Often we’ll start at one camp and end the day at a different camp 10 miles away. So once you start, you have to finish the day’s ride as the terrain is too rough for safety vehicles. We had three single-leg amputees ride with us in 2014 and all three were our “top hands” inspiring the rest of us to cowboy up!

My goal is to get you horseback in this adventure of a lifetime, so please call me if you’re uncertain.

WHEN:
18 July: fly into Billings, Montana
19-24 July: Double Rafter Cattle Drive
25 July: fly home from Billings, Montana

WHERE:
Double Rafter Ranch http://www.doublerafter.com
Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming near Sheridan

For more information and to sign up for this adventure, please contact:
John Mayer
Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program Foreman
(830) 992-9581
john.mayer@semperfifund.org