Cowboy Libertarian Radio interview

Patrick Dorinson interviewed Rick Iannucci today on KFBK 1530 AM Fox News Radio and his show the "Cowboy Libertarian" out of California in celebration of Memorial Weekend.

Listen to the Interview Here

Please check out Patrick's radio show website Cowboy Libertarian

The HatSmith of Santa Fe

Say hello to our newest Program Partner The HatSmith of Santa Fe, Inc. Located at 228 Ortiz Street in downtown Santa Fe.

Art and Fran Sundheim are graciously providing our graduates with a custom cowboy hat shaped by our long-time pard' JD Noble.

Visit their website at: www.thehatsmith.com

Sgt. Alroy Billman U.S. Army Ret. is all smiles sporting his new hat and looking good! Thanks ya'll!!!

Real Hero & Office Alternatives

At a ceremony breakfast the Red Cross Real Heroes Award 2011 presented Heroes awards for their extraordinary courage in ten different categories. Sgt. Andrew Brandi was nominated by Horses For Heroes - NM, Inc. Director Rick Iannucci and was presented the Good Samaritan Hero Award by non other than our good friend and all-around great guy, Steve Stucker, co-anchor and weatherman for KOB TV News.





After the ceremony we headed to the office to visit the smiling faces of our stellar staff! These are the friendly faces who take your incoming calls Monday through Friday. With Office Alternatives taking charge we are able to be out on the range with our veterans getting them back in the saddle! Thank you ladies, you gals rock!!!

Bonanza Creek Spring Branding Days

With having gathered the prior day we were able to get straight down to it... Sorting first, then branding...














The next day turned cold, but you can't wait for mother nature to cooperate.

Bonanza Creek Spring Working

Alroy and Duke prepare for departure.

This year we gathered a day ahead of the branding - it worked out real well as them cows were spread out far and wide, but that is why there are several hands on deck to get the job done.

Volunteer Chuck Franco and St. Jack lead the way with Bonanza Creek Ranch Manager Steve Price and Horses For Heroes - NM, Inc. Director to begin the gather.

Here we have Cowboy Up! participant Alroy movin' cows to camp.

Back at headquarters and after a most excellent meal prepared by chuckwagon master, Carl Hawkins. Standing under the fly from left to right is Cowboy Up! Directors, Nancy De Santis & Rick Iannucci, Program Partner - Bonanza Creek Ranch Manager, Steve Price, Cowboy Up! Participant Alroy Billman, Cowboy Up! volunteer, Chuck Franco, Cowboy Up! Instructor and cook extraordinaire, Carl Hawkins, and Program Partner- Henry McKinley, Staple Cross Ranch.

Drum Roll Please...! Our newest Cowboy Up! Graduate...
Sporting his new Purple Wildrag...
Sgt. Alroy Billman U.S. Army Ret. (Navajo)

Left to right: Chuck Franco, Alroy Billman and Rick Iannucci

How do you Brand a Bull?

CAREFULLY!!!

What a Monday! We started out the morning with another CowGIRL Up! session.

Working on strengthening balance, a vital element in horseback riding.
Well done!

... Then we broke for a little lunch before heading over to, program partner, Henry McKinley's to brand some bulls, but first there is preparation...

Like putting a proper housing on to of the chute to keep bulls from jumping out.

...clearing the alley...

...running the bulls up chute...

Look at the size of that neck!

...Brand...

...and that's how it's done!

We continued the neighborin' with the help of one of our volunteers, Chuck Franco. Fix'in windmills is all part of the ranching job.

Then back to the ranch for a little bit of a ride, having our voluteers and participants getting to know their horses before the next day's gather and branding for the week.



We're ready!

Instructor Honored

In a private ceremony we presented one of our fine instructors and superb horseman his wildrag for all he has done and continues to do for our veterans and our Horses For Heroes Cowboy Up! program. Kiowa Cranson is credited for the training of one of our fine four-legged instructors, Stiltz and for the continued mentorship of Cowboy Up! program graduate, Sterling Bucholz U.S.M.C./Ret.

Lt. to Rt.: Sterling, Kiowa & Nancy De Santis Cowboy Up! Director

San Cristobal Branding

We kicked off branding season with and invitation from Program Partner, Singleton Ranches at San Cristobal. Horses For Heroes - NM, Inc. Cowboy Up! was there to help gather and brand. As a bonus, the following pictures are from our very own Cowboy Up! participant Brian Johnson, US Army (ret.) - thanks Johnny and Thank you Grant for the invite!

All Around Performance Horse - Clovis, NM

and the 2nd Week of May in review...

May 7th and 8th we were down in Clovis to experience the RFD -TV's All Around Performance Horse in action courtesy of program partner, Working Ranch Magazine. The All Around Ranch Rodeo is one of the best times in Rodeo, getting to see real working ranch cowboys doing their best in ranch competition!



Working Ranch sponsored the Bronc Riding event, and boy did those Broncs Buck!







Ethan Lee, Hard Luck Cowboy went to Bronc Rider Ethan Lee from Pine Grove, L.A.
Cowboy Up! Director Rick Iannucci also presented Ethan with a Working Ranch Magazine subscription courtesy of Tim O'Byrne.


Then back home for Monday's Veteran sessions...






Remember, as Dana Bowman says: "It's the Ability, NOT the disability!"