Posted: 4th August 2016 | Back to news feed
Antoine Fuqua’s remake of ‘The Magnificent Seven’ is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 23 September. The much-anticipated Western boasts an all-star cast, with Denzel Washington stepping into the cowboy boots of Yul Brynner, who played head honcho in the iconic 60s movie. The plot centres around a group of outlaws who are hired to protect a small Mexican village from bandits, the seven sharp shooters preparing for a violent gun-toting showdown! The film is sure to inspire Wild West enthusiasts, so riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider has rounded up seven ranches in North America where guests can star in their own Western.
Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments, “Nostalgia regins out West, as the daily horseback adventures, seasonal cattle drives and campouts on offer cover historic outlaw territory. There’s always a story to tell, whether you’re riding into Tombstone, Arizona, to watch a reenactment of the battle at the OK Corral, visiting one of Butch Cassidy’s many hideouts in Wyoming or saddling up on the Goodnight-Loving trail in Texas.”
Butch Cassidy is thought to have evaded capture due to his many loyal friends and excellent horses. The Dubois area of Wyoming was a regular haunt for the infamous outlaw so you won’t want to miss out on a stay at the Bitterroot Working/Guest Ranch. One of Cassidy's hideouts is only a half day’s ride from the property, the old cabin so well hidden in an obscure canyon, it took 30 years to find. Gather the herd and follow the historic trails or saddle up for a cattle drive departing 24 September. Seven nights from £1,849pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activites, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £235 and return flight from £859pp.
The Tombstone Monument Ranch resembles a Wild West film set, the property only three miles from what was historically known as, the town too tough to die. Still filled to the brim with tales of lawlessness and silver bullion, ride into the modern day city and hang your hat at Big Nose Kates - the cowboy bar once owned by the common law wife of gunfighter, Doc Holliday. Watch a reenactment of the Battle at the OK Corral (widely regarded as the most famous shoot out in the history of the American Wild West), and when you’re back at the ranch, learn to aim and fire with an antique replica gun. The all day horseback adventures will take you to the ghost town of Fairbank. The original railhead for Tombstone, this was the departure point for the ore pulled from the city’s silver mines and the scene for one of the old West’s last great train robberies - the heist led by lawman turned outlaw, Burt Alvord. Seven nights from £965pp (no single supplement) including acommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £839pp.
Kansas’ Moore Working Ranch looks after 300-head of Longhorn cattle and a string of 50 horses. Just 45 minutes southwest of the historic Dodge City, the property is located in bucket list Wild West territory. The city served as a railhead for longhorns from Texas to be shipped west and it also boasted its fair share of gunfighters, brothels, and old frontier shenanigans. Work the cattle on the ranch or join the autumn cattle drive departing 08 October. Add in an historic trip to Dodge, where Wyatt Earp once patrolled the streets. A must see, in July, US magazine, 'True West,’ featured the Boot Hill Museum in its Top 10 list of Western Museums for 2016. Seven nights from £1,079pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activites, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers £70 (per group) from Dodge City and return flight from £809pp.
Dutch Henry was one of the most prevalent horse thieves and cattle rustlers in the Old West. In 1877, cattle rancher, Charles Goodnight made a pact (sealed with a whiskey) with Henry, which bound the outlaw leader not to raid his herds. Stay at the Wildcatter Guest Ranch in Texas and follow the Goodnight-Loving Trail on horseback. The ranch also boasts a six-point clay shooting range where you can get into character. Six nights from £1,269pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activites, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £235 and return flight from £839pp.
Legendary gunman, “Wild Bill Hickok”, was gunned down holding a pair of black aces and black eights (now known as the the dead man’s hand) in the then infamous gold rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota. Visit the National Historic Landmark and watch daily shootouts on Main Street and re-enactments of Wild Bill Hickok’s slaying. Deadwood is only a short drive from the Crow Creek Working Ranch, the property overlooking the scenic Black Hills. Offering an authentic ranch experience, there are daily opportunities to get involved in cattle work and seasonal cattle drives. Six nights from £770pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activites and taxes. Excludes transfers £150 from Rapid City and return flight from £859pp.
Round up the herd at New Mexico’s Creek Working & Cattle Ranch. Situated on 8,200-acres, in the Pecos River Valley, the red desert landscape is reminiscent of many a western. Once a regular hang out for Billy The Kid, his name still lingers on, especially in the neighbouring town of Puerto De Luna. The ranch is also only an hour’s drive from Fort Sumner, where the outlaw fell to his death – his grave and a dedicated museum located in the village. Seven nights from £1,143pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers £75pp from Albuquerque and return flight from £859pp.
Outlaw, Boone Helm is said to have been responsible for a string of murders across the US before finding his way to the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Fraser River - a major draw card for thousands of prospectors in the mid 1800s. The Echo Valley Ranch & Spa holds exclusive rights for gold panning on a section of the very same river, so why not try your luck. Alternatively, saddle up for a two to six hour ride through the whispering aspens, across pasturelands and along mountains to the edge of Fraser Canyon. Six nights from £1,209pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, half-day's riding each day, unlimited fly fishing, nature hikes and much more, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £245pp and return flight from £899pp.
Ranch Rider also offers riding holidays in Argentina, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and NEW for 2016 Tanzania.
For further information please contact Ranch Rider 01509 618811 info@ranchrider.com www.ranchrider.com ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150
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