Von Holten Ranch

10/13/2026

Chix in the Sticks!

We have women from all walks of life, all ages, getting to enjoy this beautiful weather!

There are ladies from eight states here:
MO
KS
IA
TX
AR
TN
OK
IL

Tessa Bunn and Brandii Turner (Chix Alumni) are leading any group rides and helping David and Brandy, which has been extremely appreciated.

Tomorrow we are stretching (optional), eating breakfast, riding, lunch, riding, getting massages, dinner, and doing a horse hair craft…..and eating the best cheesecakes from The Chat Shack!

Some of the jobs/careers include a college professor, physician assistant, vet tech, bus driver, NAVY commander, health provider for handicapped child, paraprofessional, and hospice nurse. We have some ladies that are here to recharge and relax.

We love that they choose to spend their time with us❤️

10/11/2026

A little fun photo shoot of some of our Chix in the Sticks!

This is giving the “JC Penney” photo shoot vibes from the 1980’s to some of these photo! Just a little proof that “girls just want to have FUN”!

Plus a few extra photos from our dinner out.

10/10/2026

Chix in the Sticks is underway! What great weather. October is an excellent time to ride in Missouri.

We have ladies from:
IL
MO
KS
TX

Brandy is healing up from a surgery, so Chix Alumni, Tessa Bunn, has stepped up and helped out! We have received gifts, words of encouragement, and time from the equine community. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!

We were talking about a nickname for Tessa, which could be shirt worthy!

I voted for BJ….Brandy Junior.
Tessa voted for BB…..Brandy W(B)itch

I guess we’ll just have to let FaceBook decide: BJ or BB?

(If this upsets you…..we will really upset you in person…..lighten up you ole bitty😂)

10/09/2026

Finally!!!

We got in the All-Around Cowgirl Challenge Champion and Reserve Champion buckle!! That competition is for teams for 2, 3, or 4 cowgirls! We prepurchase 3 buckles for champion and reserve champion.

In 2026, a four person team won champion and a four person team won reserve champion.

We will get their four team member buckles mailed out tomorrow. Congratulations to the Boonie Whompin’ YeeHaw Chicks and the Dusty Daisies!

And then, we wanted to award Taressa Rankin with Taressa Rankin Horsemanship: TR Horsemanship LLC with a Country Tough Trail Versatility Judge’s buckle at the National Championship last week….but the stars did not align.

Getting a buckle in the mail is kind of lackluster. Our appreciation is still 100%!

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Hear it from our lips first…..we have started announcing our Country Tough Trail Versatility dates for 2027!

Link is in the comments⭐️

What’s Country Tough Trail Versatility?

Short answer: It is an open equine competition that equally combines ranch horsemanship (a pattern told to you before the end of 2026 for 2027), trail, and obstacles (with no points for speed). Plus there’s in-hand classes!

10/02/2026

Here's a chance in a lifetime...three openings for October 12-15 Chix in the Sticks just opened. And YES we have a cabin available (and electric sites).

All-inclusive women's-only trail riding vacation!

Email us at [email protected]

09/30/2026

We are kicking off the 8th Annual CT2V National Championship tomorrow!

This year we divided the competition into three sections:

Wednesday & Thursday: Trail Boss, Bronc Buster, Maverick, & Trail Blazer (Cantering Ranch Horsemanship Divisions)

Friday: Foundations 1 & 2, Buckaroo (In-Hand Divisions)

Saturday & Sunday: Wrangler, Youth, Green Horn, & Futurity (Non-Cantering Ranch Horsemanship Divisions)

Why did we divide the divisions up? Fuel prices and respecting everyone's time. (Time is money.)

With the divisions divided as they are, we can host the CT2V National Championship at our facility. Once we outgrow our facility, prices and time will increase because we will have to rent part of the MO State Fairgrounds.

Next year's CT2V National Championship will be October 5-10, 2027. The MO State CT2V Championship dates will come out Monday. Get your calendar out, make a plan, and then STICK to it! You CAN do this!

CT2V= Country Tough Trail Versatility
Trail, Ranch Horsemanship, Obstacles

We start Ranch Horsemanship tomorrow at 8am, Trail at noon. Obstacles will start at 8am on Thursday.

09/29/2026

Friday, October 2nd from 12-4:15
$90, 4 spots remaining

We have a clinic covering Ranch Horsemanship, Trail, and Obstacles.

If you want to do Country Tough Trail Versatility in 2027, this would be an excellent way to get an introduction.

Camping available for this weekend!

Email:
[email protected]

Photo Credit: Eagleburger Photography

09/26/2026

Two things:

Day 2 of the Carl Bledsoe (gaited horse clinician) clinic started with a Q & A and reflecting on Day 1. This morning I listened in on how to deal with horses with separation anxiety. Good stuff!

And Von Holten Ranch hit 23K followers this morning!!! We are getting our 2027 schedule ready to announce!