Wrangler Skills Workshops
Take your horseback riding vacation to a level beyond. Learn from Alisal Wranglers the skills it takes to truly make a cowboy. Try your hand at barrel racing or drill team, or stick to the ranching basics in our team sorting and round-up workshops. This is your chance to experience horseback riding unlike any other programs in Solvang and beyond.
Rest Up for Your Ride
The best wranglers are always well-rested. Our authentic ranch accommodations encircle the barn so you’ll never be far away from your next lesson. Alisal’s nightly rate includes lodging, two meals daily, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
ALISAL ranch & riding experiences
barrel Racing Skills Class
1 hour | $80 per rider (age 12+)
Intermediate, Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 6 riders
Come join us on Mondays to have fun in the arena and learn the fundamentals of one of the most popular rodeo events! Barrel Racing requires balance, timing, and refined control of a horse. This class will teach you the basics including: a brief history of Barrel Racing, how to independently control a horse in the arena, and work towards completing a full pattern at a trot. Although Barrel Racing is historically a woman’s event, today it is dominated by both men and women.
AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND
Round-up Experience
2.5 hours | $150 per rider
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Maximum Capacity: Monday & Friday – 10 riders
Wednesdays – 6 riders.
Join us this year on our Round-up Experience, now available to many levels of riders. If your dream is to get the experience of pushing cattle as we rotate pastures the Monday or Friday cattle drive is just for you. The cattle drive is open to all levels of riders and will get you to work as a team along with a wrangler to complete the task of moving cattle. If you are an advanced rider, however, you have the opportunity to participate in an additional round up on Wednesdays. On the Wednesday morning round-up you will be not only moving cattle from one pasture to another, but also down to our sorting pens and helping to sort out the cattle needed for the Wednesday rodeo sorting.
AVAILABLE SUMMER ONLY
Drill Team Riding Class
1 hour | $100 / rider (age 12+)
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 8 riders
Come Tuesday to practice a choreographed riding pattern for the opening ceremonies of our Wednesday night rodeo. You will get a chance to try something new with the horses and become a stronger rider while doing so. You’ll also have fun with other riders and form your own team for the week.
Riders must join the Tuesday class to learn the pattern of the week to be eligible for participation in the Wednesday night rodeo.
AVAILABLE SUMMER ONLY
Team Sorting Skills
1 hour | $100 / rider
Intermediate, Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 6 riders
This exciting class (usually Wednesdays) will teach you the basics of sorting cattle, a necessary skill on a cattle ranch. Teams of three will be challenged to sort three cows out of the herd and to move them across the arena. After participating in this class you’ll get the opportunity to use your skills during the Wednesday night Rodeo and compete against fellow guests and wranglers. Weekly winners get a prize and the best time of the summer receives a belt buckle at the end of the season!
AVAILABLE SUMMER ONLY
