Cowboy academies
Learn real ranch skills on this 20,000 acre working cattle ranch.
What to expect
Learn the ropes and have a blast doing it. Spend your days on trail rides and hands-on ranch work: gathering, sorting, and roping. Bring your own horse or ride one of ours.
You'll be guided by the V6 Crew, made up of professional rodeo competitors, working cowboys, and professional horse trainers.
At week's end, test your skills in a friendly competition, a belt buckle and bragging rights await the winners.
Your registration covers all meals and activities.
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Day 1:
3:00pm: Official ride start with scenic trail ride
6:30pm: Dinner and get acquainted at the V6 Blue Oak Horse Camp
Days 2, 3, & 4:
8:00am: Breakfast and coffee in the Roundup Room.
9:00am: Practice your roping skills on the roping dummy’s with coaching from the V6 Ranch Crew.
9:30am: Saddle up and choose your adventure! Head out for a scenic trail ride, gather and sort cattle, or practice your roping.
12am: Break for lunch in the Roundup Room before heading out an choosing your adventure again!
5pm: Unsaddle and enjoy some R&R in camp.
6:30pm: Appetizers in the Roundup Room followed by dinner, dessert and music around the campfire from a local rancher.
Day 5:
8:00am: Breakfast at the Roundup Room
9:00am: Scenic Trail Ride
12:00pm: Say our good-byes until next time!
Keep in mind that schedules may vary significantly.
Accommodation
Your home base for this ride is Blue Oak Camp, nestled at the southern entrance of the V6 Ranch. Guests share access to the spacious Roundup Room, bathrooms, hot showers, campfire, and more.
Parkfield Lodge: Comfortable, modern private rooms 2.7 miles from camp. Pricing varies.
Wrangler Row Glamping Tents: Canvas tents with queen and twin beds, right at camp. $125/night plus tax.
V6 Bunkhouse: Cozy rooms with twin beds, located in camp. $125/night plus tax.
RV or Tent: Bring your camper or tent. 30 water hookups available free on a first-come basis.
Food
After a full day cowboy stuff, there’s nothing better than gathering around for a warm, home-cooked meal.
Every dish is made from scratch by our ranch crew using time-tested family recipes. Enjoy fresh California ranch fare like mole-marinated top sirloin cooked over a Santa Maria BBQ, crisp salads, and freshly baked cookies. Our kitchen is the true heart of the ranch, serving up wholesome, handcrafted food that puts a cherry on top of a fulfilling day.
Upcoming Cowboy Academies
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October 14-18, 2026
SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS BRINGING OWN HORSES! WAITLIST OPEN FOR GUESTS RIDING V6 RANCH HORSES.
Spend the week sharpening your ranching skills with help from the V6 Ranch Crew. Wrap it all up with a friendly competition to test what you’ve learned, and have a little fun. -
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April 7-11, 2027
SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS BRINGING OWN HORSES! WAITLIST OPEN FOR GUESTS RIDING V6 RANCH HORSES.
Choose your adventure each day: trail ride through wildflower-studded hills, hone your roping skills, or work the sorting pen and learn to read a cow. End the week with a lighthearted competition for a chance to win a V6 Buckle. -
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October 13-17, 2027
Each day you’ll have the chance to trail ride through golden hillsides, sharpen your roping skills, or get into the sorting pen and learn to read a cow. End the week testing what you've learned in a lighthearted competition for a chance to win a V6 Buckle.
“If you're looking for a hands on experience, this is the place.”
The V6 Ranch exceeded my expectations. It was a terrific experience hosted by a wonderful family. John, Barbara and Kathryn truly made you feel at home... The horses are great, and the ranch designed to make visitors feel welcome.
~ Gary D.
“After my first Cowboy Academy at V6 Ranch, I was hooked.”
“I immediately felt like I was more than a guest… like a family member. The staff goes out of their way to make the experience top notch. From the delicious food, to the horses and activities, I can’t help but keep coming back.”
~ Nicole P.
Pricing
$1,200 per person for guests bringing their own horse
$1,600 per person for guests riding a V6 Ranch Horse
$500 deposit due at signup
Includes: All meals, all activities and instruction, RV or tent camping (water hookups available on first come first served basis), horse corrals (by reservation).
Glamping Tents, Bunkhouse Rooms and Lodge Rooms are not included.
Gratuity not included, but very appreciated!
Ready to ride?
Submit your registration request below and Kathryn will be in touch shortly to complete your booking!
Still have some questions? See our FAQ below or fill out the form below and Kathryn will be happy to answer any questions you have!
Frequently asked Questions
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Choose your dates. You can see all available Cowboy Academy dates here.
Request registration form. Request a registration form here. We will reach out shortly and help you complete your registration.
Complete registration & pay deposit. Fill out and sign the V6 Ranch registration form, V6 Ranch Release and pay a $500 deposit.
Pay your balance. Your balance is due no later than 30 days prior to arrival.
Please be aware that V6 Cowboy Academies have limited spots and fill up quickly. If your dream ride is sold out we encourage you to join our waitlist, as spots often become available.
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Due to the intimate group sizes on V6 Ranch Rides and the unique challenges of operating a small, family-owned business, cancellations have a significant impact on our business. Therefore, we must adhere to a strict cancellation policy.
General Policies
All reservations may be canceled or moved up to 60 days prior to arrival, minus a 10% processing fee.
Reservations may only be moved once. Once moved, reservations become non-refundable and may be subject to additional fees due to rising costs.
We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and for this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment. You can get a quote or sign up here: Travel Guard Insurance.
If you have to cancel or move your reservation within 60 days our policy is:
Within 60 Days of Arrival
Rescheduling within 60 days of arrival is allowed, but a $200 processing fee will apply.
The new reservation date becomes non-refundable once it is rescheduled.
Reservations that are canceled within 60 days of your arrival date result in a forfeited deposit.
Within 30 Days of Arrival
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 30 days of arrival.
Reservations cannot be moved within 30 days of arrival.
Other Important Terms
Early departures are not eligible for refunds. Guests are responsible for the full amount of the original reservation.
V6 Ranch Rides are held rain or shine – weather does not affect our ride schedule.
Medical or family emergencies do not qualify as exceptions to our cancellation policy.If you are bringing your own horse, please note:
If your horse becomes injured, sick, or otherwise unable to participate these not qualify as exceptions to our cancellation policy. Depending on availability, we may be able to provide one of our ranch horses for your ride. Additional fees will apply. Reach out to us to check availability.
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V6 Ranch rides are all open to guests of all riding skill levels.
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Kids ages 7 and up are welcome.
For the safety of our horses we unfortunately cannot accommodate guests over 250 lbs.
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V6 Cowboy Academies have a group size of approximately 40 guests.
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V6 Ranch Horses are available on a first come first served basis.
If you would prefer to bring your own horse stalls are available by reservation. Horses must be in good shape and have shoes as terrain can be steep and rocky.
Learn more about our V6 Ranch Horses here.
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V6 ranch rides and events are held rain or shine.
On a ranch in California, there is no better day than a rainy day! The ranch is BEAUTIFUL in the rain and we will do our best to ride around the rain.
Get in the arena and learn from the cowboys who live it every day.