Rob and Ashley – Ranch Managers
Rob and Ashley were first introduced to the dude ranch industry in 2006 while searching for post college adventures working seasonal jobs. After a couple summers working in the dude ranch world, they realized they wanted it to be more than a summer job. They made their way to Idaho and joined the Red Horse Mountain Ranch team in 2008 as a Ranch Hand and Wrangler. They both worked in various roles over the years and eventually became the Ranch Managers in 2015.
Their favorite thing about Red Horse Mountain Ranch is how accessible outdoor moments are here because they see the value in how good it is for someone to just get outside and be in nature. They also enjoy being leaders to a wonderful team and seeing how everyone’s individual talents and experiences come together to make this place such a special place to visit.
They are thankful they get to work together with their children never too far away in such a unique location with a wonderful community of Harrison just up the road. Lane and Gavin would say their favorite things about Red Horse would be the Thursday night kids program campfire, burger day, fishing and swimming at our pond, the kids program horseback rides, meeting friends from all over the world, and the endless access to grass and mud stains.
Lauren – Kitchen Manager
Lauren came from Lakewood, WA before gaining her culinary experience and education through the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR, a former Le Cordon Bleu school. In 2007, she found her way to Red Horse through an internship requirement for graduation. Since Lauren had never been to Idaho, it seemed like an interesting place to spend a summer, and in her words, “I never left!”.
Lauren was the Baker for years, so almost all the pastry creations you enjoy here are a collection of her tried and true recipes! Incredibly good with math and measurements, she has recipes down to a science. Lauren is not only an accomplished baker, the meals she oversees never disappoint. She stands for a high quality experience for our guests and her team appreciates her calm, practical kitchen leadership.
One of her favorite things about being part of the ranch is the opportunity to meet new people and watching them fall in love with Red Horse Mountain Ranch, just as she had so many years ago. She also claims to have the best office view of the valley from the kitchen and is the creator of our Recipe Book for sale in the Trading Post!
Hannah – Breakfast and Lunch Chef
What attracted Hannah to Red Horse is a love for the outdoors and a curiosity about ranch life. Her favorite part of being here is going on adventures with fellow staff. She really enjoys hanging out at the pond or up on Shep’s Trail. She recommends the scenic horseback ride where guests can disconnect, relax and enjoy the beauty of the trails. Outside the ranch, Hannah is a strong presence in our local community- she is a well respected volunteer EMT in Harrison!
Donovan – Baker
Jim (Jimbeau) – Maintenance
Jimbeau is the longest tenured team member at Red Horse. He knows the property inside and out, is super creative with his amazing carpentry work, and the master of many trades. Always helpful and able to fix everything out of nothing, he makes this place go! His upbringing as a New Englander provided him with numerous skills that helps the ranch keep up appearances and functionality. He is also known as the best bonfire maker west of the Mississippi.
Of the countless memories Jimbeau has at the ranch, his favorites are meeting new people, making great friends, and guests expressing their sadness to leave because they loved their stay so much. Outside Red Horse, Jim loves spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, hunting and volunteering his time in the community.
Mandy – Reservations Manager
Mandy is a native New Englander who relocated to the Inland Northwest in 2016. Versed in insurance, television and the hospitality industries, she began working at Red Horse in 2018, eventually finding her niche as Reservations Manager.
When you call the ranch to make a reservation – she is the person you talk to and when you show up on Sunday she’s there to greet you! Ready to help make your trip here as seamless as possible, you will be glad to get talk to her on the phone to chat. From helping arrange an anniversary or birthday cake during your stay, to making sure you have the directions to get here – Mandy is there for our guests!
Mandy’s favorite memories about the ranch are making connections with people from all over the world and having some of the best colleagues, ones who share a simple life and being kind to others. Outside the ranch, Mandy enjoys traveling to National Parks, hiking, going to concerts and rooting for New England sports teams. She loves to surround herself in the year-round beauty of Harrison with her family. Fun fact: Thanks to a 4th grade music teacher, Mandy can name all 50 states in alphabetical order and Jimbeau is her cousin!
Tara – Barn Manager
Tara is a born and raised Idaho potato. Her love for the state spread northward when she discovered Red Horse Mountain Ranch had a few things she loves: views, adventures, and horses.
Since 2021, she has brought valuable knowledge and experience with her. With a degree in Wildlife Resources, she has worked with plenty of wildlife, including moose and even pika. Wildlife is abundant on the ranch as well, with moose, elk, deer, turkey, grouse, and ground squirrels seen throughout the year. Tara is hard to miss during saloon nights with JamShack, and if you catch her with one of Donovan’s desserts in hand, it’s usually a chocolate chip cookie.
Tara has not only led a fun and popular Kid’s Program during our summer family weeks, she is crafty too. You can find her hand-painted leather keychains and hair clips for sale in the Trading Post, as well as helping set up pottery for guests to paint. Now stepping into the Barn Manager role, Tara says that anyone working with her “needs to work hard but also have fun doing it.” She’s also always ready for a debate about pandas. One thing she finds interesting about the herd is that they have two leaders: Maggie the Mule and a Belgian Draft mare named Lily. Both have strong personalities but are incredibly sweet and love attention and cookies.
Outside ranch time, you can find Tara working on her crafts, spending time with her pup Nalla, and being with friends.
Annaka – Herd Manager
Outside her horse life, Annaka enjoys taking her dog, little Bo Peep, on hikes and taking in the scenery to paint later. When asked her favorite thing about Red Horse Mountain Ranch, it’s the friendships made! Fun Fact: You’ll probably see Annaka ditch a saddle and take off bareback for a sunset horse ride after work
Matt & Viv – Wranglers
Matt & Viv have been a sound presence in the Wrangler’s department at RHMR, and their journey here has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their love for horseback riding and the deep connection they share with the horses are what keep them coming back year after year. Yet, as they say, it’s the countless small joys and the unique, serene beauty of the valley that truly make Red Horse special.
When it comes to memories, there are simply too many to count. Every moment at Red Horse is a treasure to them. And if you’re curious about their favorite horse, well, that’s a secret they aren’t ready to share!
Their life philosophy is perfectly summed up by a quote from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
A fun fact about this dynamic duo? They’ve been fulfilling a dream of homesteading, building their own cabin, and living in a canvas outfitter tent for the past six years. This unique life experience has taught them resilience and the true essence of living fully.
Jenna – Hospitality Shift Lead
Jenna first joined us in the summer of 2019 and quickly moved into the Hospitality Shift Lead role, which fits her like a green garden glove. She found her way to North Idaho with a couple of hippies from a bagel shop down south who brought her to what she now calls the coolest place to work. When asked what made her stay, she said “the scenery, trying things I never had before, and the wonderful relationships built in a community of like-minded people.”
Jenna elevates the guest experience with thoughtful touches in every cabin and creates the beautiful floral arrangements that greet you when you arrive, in your room, tucked into a tree stump, or displayed during our multi-course wine dinner. “I love to garden and gather Mother Nature’s little gifts to use for crafting materials… dreamcatchers, recycling papers into new journals, making baskets and crocheting. I also enjoy a good slow hike to take time and look at all the tiny flowers and cool mushrooms that grow in the coolest places.”
Her advice to visitors: “Cherish every little thing this place has to offer, and maybe write a poem about it. In this safe haven, it’s near impossible not to make a connection with someone here.”
You’ll find Jenna out and about with buckets full of flowers and leading the Hospitality team. Say hello when you see her and let her know which planting on the property is your favorite.