Day One: Arizona Cowboy College

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in Arizona, Scottsdale | 5 comments

That’s Rocco, the head honcho at Cowboy College, with his horse Viejo Vaquero, which means “Old Cowboy” don’t you know.

When I first spoke with Lori Bridwell, whose late husband, Lloyd Bridwell, founded Arizona Cowboy College in 1989, she made sure I knew what I was getting myself into. “This isn’t a dude ranch,” she said. “There’s no luxury involved.” I’d be sleeping in a dusty barn with a half-dozen other greenhorns, getting up at the crack of dawn to catch and groom my horse, and spend long days learning to handle, groom, saddle, mount, and ride a horse. The only thing Lori guaranteed me was that afterwards, I’d be sore for days.

Rocco Wachman, the head instructor at Cowboy College, was just as blunt: “I’m not the least bit interested in teaching anyone how to play cowboy for a week,” he said a little before six Monday morning. “I’m here to teach you to be a cowboy. Which is mean, nasty, dirty, hard physical labor. Now let’s go find our ponies.”

Don’t you think I’m going to love this?

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5 comments

  1. Barbara Stoner’s avatar

    Barbara Stoner on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 11:39 am

    You’ll be ready to find the Rainbow Bridge, the old fashioned way! http://www.barbarasbookhouse.com/Finding-the-Rainbow

  2. Fred Harwood’s avatar

    Fred Harwood on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    My dad was the last mounted WWI class at The Point, now closing in on a century ago. Of course, we 7 children all learned to ride, some English, some cowboy, some both, as the place and occasion may have required. I preferred cowboy, and have some awkward memories about dude-ranch strings and low branches while traveling the country as a family. However, I’ve never thought to complete my cowboy education under a drill sergeant… And no champagne for either breakfast or cocktails, I’ll wager.

  3. David’s avatar

    David on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Definitely no champagne (or any cocktails for that matter), Fred. And the cowboy coffee leaves a bit to be desired as well. I’m not keen on filtering the grounds through my teeth.

  4. Fred Harwood’s avatar

    Fred Harwood on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    Hopefully this outfit knows not to boil the coffee in the water? And the trick of a bit of cool water?

  5. Angeline’s avatar

    Angeline on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    The head instructor’s name is Rocco? That scares me right there. And no cocktails? That scares me even more.
    You know that post asking about if you should go to Florida? I was going to say no….but now I think you should go.

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