My Happy Place: Why Road Scholars Return Year after Year to the White Stallion Ranch

A Love for Travel

A Road Scholar since 2004, Laurie has been on 43 programs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether traveling with her husband, a girlfriend or solo, she always finds her Road Scholar adventures fulfilling. “I worked so I could travel,” says Laurie, a retired accountant. With a passion for skiing, hiking, bicycling and surfing, Laurie discovered Road Scholar in 2004 and hasn’t looked back.

On one of her hiking trips, she and a friend decided to try Road Scholar’s Ultimate Old West: The White Stallion Ranch Experience program. “We went together as roommates in 2013, and it was wonderful,” says Laurie. After her first experience at the ranch, Laurie planned on returning, and she has — nine times — to join her regular group of Road Scholars, who also enjoy this yearly escape to Arizona. “It’s familiar, like going home to family,” she says.

“I like how Road Scholar runs the show,” says Laurie. “All my programs have been extremely well organized, with knowledgeable speakers and guests.” She also finds the group leaders excellent and the accommodations very workable. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” says Laurie. “I don’t want to try another program and be disappointed. I’m sticking with Road Scholar — there are so many programs to choose from.”

The Special Sauce: Carol M.

Born in Pennsylvania, Carol has been riding horses since age six. She moved to Arizona in 1969 and began working at White Stallion Ranch in 2000.  “Carol puts her heart into every Road Scholar program,” says Laurie, who considers herself very lucky to have had Carol as her group leader on all nine programs there. Carol also considers herself lucky. “It wouldn’t be February without my Road Scholar regulars — they are delightful!”

Carol keeps her program at the ranch fresh by adding new activities, like target shooting, archery and nature walks.  From an instructional riding video she made to share with the group on their first night to a week filled with riding, line dancing, watercolor painting, star-gazing, bonfires, leather tooling and even an exhibition rodeo with break-away roping and barrel racing, Carol brings all of her passion to every program.

“I enjoy creating lasting memories for my Road Scholars,” says Carol. “I care about the quality of their time with us, and I always make it a point to be available to them if they have a question or problem.” She also joins the Road Scholar groups for lunch and dinner every day. 

Carol thoughtfully curates a group of select guest experts to work exclusively with Road Scholar groups. Among them, depending on their availability, are artist Ute Vaughn, who leads a watercolor class; Zuzana Runge, a Parelli natural horsemanship expert and Randy Helm, a horse whisperer and Mustang authority. Retired ranch wrangler Carol Bachmann also comes to teach horsemanship. Local resident Doris Evans shares “The Desert Comes to Life,” a video she produces with a motion-activated camera of coyote, quail, deer, javelina (wild pig) and other wildlife that frequent her yard come nightfall. Diego Dunn, a naturalist and desert forager, shares “The Incredible Edible Desert,” a walkabout on the property, as he picks and shares the fruit of prickly pear cacti with everyone.

A Dream Come True

While all of Laurie’s learning adventures with Road Scholar have been great, the White Stallion Ranch and the people she’s met there hold a special place in her heart. “It’s my happy place,” says Laurie.  “I have always loved horses, but I have no experience with them. I go on the beginner rides. I love the whole atmosphere and ambiance of the ranch. I return to the ranch with Road Scholar because it is a relaxing retreat. Everything is at a peaceful, slower pace,” says Laurie. “For me, it is stepping back in time to a calmer, simpler lifestyle. And, everyone is like family.”

Also nine-time attendees, Robert and Jacqueline W. feel the same about White Stallion Ranch. “It’s the wonderful camaraderie that we found there year after year,” says Robert.  “The True family who own the ranch are phenomenal about treating each guest special and remembering you year after year, even with all their other hundreds of guests.” He adds, “Carol is such a great leader. She takes a special interest in seeing everyone’s needs and interests. She has planned some fun activities such as line dancing, art and nature walks for those who may not be interested completely in horseback riding.”

Like Laurie, Robert and Jacqueline have formed close friendships with fellow Road Scholars. “We have looked forward to seeing them year after year and renewing old acquaintances. One year, when we weren't there on the first day, Carol, with the encouragement of some of the other guests, even called us at home to see if we were okay. Unbeknownst to her, we were going to arrive the next day.”

Horsing Around

Laurie enjoys having “her own” horse for the week. On her most recent stay at the ranch this past February, she bonded with Buster, a chestnut gelding.  “He’s a good boy,” she says. While some of her friends request the same horse from year to year, Laurie is always happy with whichever four-legged companion she is matched with. “We start at the beginning, and they teach us everything we need to know about grooming and other activities.”

When traveling alone, Laurie always requests the casita facing the corral. “I can see the herd coming in from wherever they spent that night,” she says. “They’ll come over to me at the fence for treats.” 

On the Trail

With 3,000 acres of land, White Stallion Ranch is home to 170 horses and 75 head of cattle. “You will never repeat the same trail twice,” says Carol. “When you’re out on your ride it’s absolutely gorgeous — exhilarating and peaceful at the same time.” She especially loves the sweet orange scent of the Acacias in bloom. “Every ride is different; sometimes it’s a breakfast ride in the desert, the next day, you’re off in another direction to the mountains. Guests can select a walking-only ride for beginners or a faster adventure for those with experience.

“We use ranch horses with good temperaments,” says Carol. “They must get along well with other horses and not startle easily. We find that older horses make good candidates.”

A Family Affair

Family owned and operated, White Stallion Ranch was purchased in 1965 by Allen and Cynthia True. Today, their sons, Russell and Michael, actively co-manage the ranch with their wives and children. They enjoy sharing the history of the ranch with guests. “The family and staff recognize us,” says Laurie. “They are so warm and welcoming.”

While Russell oversees the horses and expertly matches each rider to a horse, Michael raises Corriente, an American breed of cattle described as gentle and athletic, for team roping and other rodeo events at the ranch. In addition, he manages the grounds and building maintenance and oversees the yearly upgrades on the ranch.

Flora and Fauna

Located on the backside of the Tucson Mountain range in the Sonoran Desert, White Stallion Ranch is home to many gorgeous birds, plants and wildlife. Varieties of cactus found here include Saguaro, Barrel Cactus and Prickly Pear, as well as several species of Cholla. Laurie recalls watching out for the “Jumping Cholla,” a prickly cactus with barbed spines that attaches to you or your horse if you brush against it. Also on the property are Ironwood (aged at 800 years old), Palo Verde and Mesquite trees.

If you’re a birdwatcher, you’ll be thrilled with the array of feathered friends who make the ranch their home. Great Horned Owls, hawks — Red-tailed, Cooper’s and Swainson’s — to Cactus wren, you’ll want to bring your binoculars!

Perennial Patrons

It’s no surprise that Road Scholar has an exceptionally high number of repeat participants at the White Stallion Ranch. Since 2012, the ranch has welcomed 514 Road Scholars, with more than 10% of them returning multiple times.

“We have done 50 Road Scholar programs and have enjoyed them all, but White Stallion Ranch is the only one we have repeated nine times,” says Robert.

“The scenery is beautiful, the food is outstanding, the wranglers and horses are wonderful, and the accommodations are second to none,” says Robert. While he hopes they can make it again next year, he’s unsure. If not, we have a treasure trove of beautiful memories we will never forget.”

Laurie also hopes to make a cross-country trip from her new home in South Carolina for a February reunion with her “family” at White Stallion. “I may very well get the bug to return,” she says.

Plan Your Visit

Learn more about Road Scholar’s Ultimate Old West: The White Stallion Ranch Experience. You might also be interested to learn about Road Scholar’s program for grandparents and grandchildren, ages 10 to 14, Rope & Ride at the White Stallion Ranch With Your Grandchild.