Some people discover their love of horses later in life. For Brooke Billington, riding horses and ranch life are some of her first memories. In A Girl, Her Horse & a Colorado Dude Ranch, host Amanda Raad sits down with Brooke Billington to talk about her lifelong connection to horses and the experiences that have brought her back to Colorado dude ranches over the years.
At just 13 years old, Brooke is already a seasoned dude ranch-goer. She has spent much of her life in the saddle, from competitive riding to long days on the trail, and has visited Colorado dude ranches with her family for the past 9 years. Along the way, she has developed a pretty good idea of what makes a ranch vacation special.
That’s part of what inspired us to create this podcast. There are plenty of ways to learn about dude ranch vacations, but sometimes the best way to understand the experience is to hear it from the people who have lived it and keep coming back. In this episode, Amanda and Brooke share the stories, memories, and little moments that make a stay at a Colorado dude ranch something guests remember long after they return home.
Brooke’s First Dude Ranch Experience
For Brooke, a love of horses started early. She began riding at just 3 or 4 years old and started riding competitively the following year. Around that same time, she visited her first Colorado dude ranch, beginning a family tradition that would bring her back to ranches throughout her childhood.
Today, at 13, Brooke has spent most of her life in the saddle and looks forward to returning to the ranch each year. She especially enjoys how much of the kids’ program is centered around horses, giving her even more time to ride, learn about horses, and build connections with them. She loves the slower pace of ranch life, the chance to be outdoors, and having new adventures with her family each year.
A Day on the Ranch
So, what does a typical day look like for a 13-year-old who has grown up visiting dude ranches?
For Brooke, it starts early with Cowboy Coffee (she gets the hot chocolate, obviously!) and plenty of time outside. Days are filled with horseback rides, exploring the ranch, and trying out activities like archery. There is always something happening, but there is also plenty of time to simply enjoy a slower pace.
That combination is part of what makes dude ranch vacations so memorable. You might spend the morning in the saddle, sit down for a meal with your fellow guests, and find yourself trying something completely new that afternoon. By the end of the day, you’ve experienced a little bit of everything.
For Brooke, though, horseback riding is still the highlight of her stay.
More Than Just a Ride
After spending years riding competitively, Brooke knows a thing or two about horses. But riding at a dude ranch offers a different kind of experience.
Instead of focusing on competition, riders have the chance to spend time on the trail, take in the scenery, and build a connection with their horse along the way. In this episode, Brooke talks about some of the horses she has bonded with over the years and the memories that have made each one special.
It’s easy to understand why she keeps coming back.
Hear Brooke’s Story
In A Girl, Her Horse & a Colorado Dude Ranch, Brooke shares some of her favorite ranch memories, what a typical day looks like, how she chooses her horse, and why her family continues to make dude ranch vacations part of their lives
Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
