V6 Rodeo Academy
Get in the arena and learn from the cowboys who live it every day.
Upcoming Rodeo Academies
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September 15-19, 2025
SOLD OUT
Get hands-on experience with real ranch rodeo skills, from heading and heeling to barrel racing and cattle work. End the week with a fun, low-pressure competition where top hands walk away with a buckle (and bragging rights). -
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September 14-18, 2026
Immerse yourself in ranch rodeo skills like roping, barrel racing, sorting, and more taught by professional cowboys, cowgirls, and active PRCA competitors. Wrap up the week with a fun, friendly competition for a beautiful belt buckle and lifelong bragging rights.
DEEP-DIVE INTO COW-WORKING AND ROPING SKILLS on this CORRAL-BASED RIDE
What to expect
Spend five days building your ranch rodeo skills, roping, barrel racing, sorting cattle, and more, taught by real cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeo competitors.
You’ll get plenty of time in the saddle and practice on both live cattle and mechanical steers. Bring your own horse or ride one of our V6 Ranch Horses, this ride is open to all experience levels.
At the end of the week, test your new skills in a lighthearted rodeo competition. The winner takes home a belt buckle and a story worth telling.
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.
RV or Tent: Bring your camper or tent. 30 water hookups available free on a first-come basis.
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.
Food
After a full day in the saddle, nothing hits the spot like a home-cooked meal.
All dishes are made from scratch by the V6 Ranch Crew and Varian Family, using the freshest ingredients. Savor California ranch classics like marinated top sirloin grilled over an oak BBQ, grilled vegetables, and crisp, fresh salads.
Start each morning with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, homefries, freshly baked pastries, and seasonal fruit. Lunch features sandwiches on locally baked bread with hand-sliced cold cuts and vegetables, plus delicious salads and freshly baked cookies to keep you energized.
Menu is subject to change.
Sample itinerary
Day 1:
3:00pm: Official ride start with a cattle gather
6:30pm: Dinner and get acquainted at the V6 Blue Oak Horse Camp
Day 2 & 3:
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! Practice pen sorting, barrel racing, or roping with coaching from the V6 Ranch Crew.
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 stories around the campfire.
Day 4:
8:00am: Breakfast and coffee in the Roundup Room.
9:00am: Competition time! Go head to head in this light hearted competition.
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 stories around the campfire.
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.
Pricing
$1,150 per person for guests bringing their own horse
$1,550 per person for guests riding a V6 Ranch Horse
$500 deposit due at signup
Gratuity not included.
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.
“I discovered my "Inner Cowboy" several years ago and the V6 Ranch was the perfect place for me to experience the cowboy ranch life. As I've gained skills, (riding, roping, herding) the wranglers have been patient, encouraging and good humored. What I love about the V6 ranch is that it is a family, multigenerational run ranch, and the family is just terrific. Kinda inspirational really.”
- Cy L.
The stars aligned in 2007 and I found myself traveling to the V6 Ranch… with my horse in tow, to attend the very first Cowboy Academy. The beauty of the landscape, the peace and solitude, the sunrises and sunsets, the horses and cattle, and the friends who become family all make up what this place is. Oh, and did I mention the amazing food!
~ Anne K.
“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… From the delicious food, to the horses and activities, I can help but keep coming back.”
~ Nicole P.
More info
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Fill out the form here to request a registration form. We are a family-run team and are frequently working on the ranch, so it can take a few days to receive a registration form. Requests will be processed in order of receipt.
Fill out and sign the V6 Ranch registration form, V6 Ranch Release and pay a $500 deposit. If a deposit is not received within seven days, your spot will be forfeited.
Your balance is due no later than 30 days prior to your arrival.
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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 Rodeo Academies are 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 Rodeo 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.
Develop your ranch skills on this 20,000 acre working cattle ranch, with coaching from working cowboys.