And now introducing, in their own words, the crew of the 100th year of the Covered Wagon Ranch!

Emma as Server and Dishwasher

Hello, I’m Emma! This is my second time coming to work at Covered Wagon Ranch. I’m from the PNW and I love hiking, drawing, and anything crafty. I like to lead a quiet life, staying home most of the time to scrapbook and hang out with my cat and family. I’ve got seven siblings who I love to annoy, plus my cat Bo Peep! My only older sibling Aubrey is also serving! I’d say the biggest thing to know about me is that I love Jesus more than anything: following God is where my heart is. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to meet so many new people this summer and can’t wait to get to know everyone!

Aubrey as Server

Hi, I’m Aubrey! This is my second season working at Covered Wagon and I’m so excited to be back! I grew up in Washington and am the oldest of eight kids. I really enjoy hiking and getting coffee! I can’t wait for all the memories I’m going to make this summer!

Neena as Server and Dishwasher

Hello! My name is Neena Kandoll and this is my first year at the Covered Wagon Ranch! I have lived in the Pacific Northwest my whole life. I love Jesus and spending time with family and friends! My favorite pastimes are Bible studies, volunteering, paddle boarding, hiking, and baking. I’m so excited for the opportunity to serve at the ranch this summer and I look forward to meeting new people! 

Sophia as Pastry and Breakfast Chef

Hello, my name is Sophia Brandt! I come from Kansas but call home wherever I wander to. I come from a long line of Midwesterners, so being outside and spending time with all sorts of critters just feels natural to me. This is my fourth year at the Covered Wagon Ranch, and I’m so excited to be back! As the Pastry and Breakfast Chef, I love starting everyone’s day off right with a hearty meal, something sweet from the oven, and a hot pot of coffee. I also serve dinner on Sundays so when you check in, be sure to poke your head into the kitchen and say hi. I’d love to meet you! In my free time, you’ll probably find me doing something slightly questionable like jumping off a bridge, chasing wildlife through the woods, or racing myself up to Benson Point just to see if I can beat my last time. I love baking, being creative, and always looking for something new to learn. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures and share some of mine too!

Rhianne as Prep Cook

Hello! My name is Rhianne Traffie! This is my first season here at the Covered Wagon Ranch as the Prep and Lunch Cook. I just graduated and am so excited to spend the summer in Montana! I am from southern New Hampshire, where I was raised with my twelve siblings. I grew up in the kitchen and have always loved making and enjoying good food! I also love traveling, hanging out with friends & family, drinking coffee, and knitting! I am looking forward to meeting you all and making many good memories this summer! 

Kirsten as Executive Chef and Dan as Wrangler

Hi everyone! I’m Kirsten Goodrick and along with my husband Dan, our sixteen-month-old daughter Ivy, and our dog Charlie, I’m so excited to welcome you to the Covered Wagon for our seventh season at the ranch. This place holds such a special place in our hearts — not only because we love what we do, but because it’s where Dan and I met, and got married (at the ranch’s winter pasture, Braxyer). We couldn’t miss the chance to be here for the ranch’s 100-year anniversary. It’s such an incredible milestone, and we’re honored to be part of the legacy. Dan is one of the wranglers and always has a great story to share, especially if you ask about the legend of Buckskin Charlie Marble. I’m the Executive Chef here and can’t wait to cook some delicious meals for you this season. When I’m not in the kitchen I love being a mom, reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Ivy is our little ranch boss — full of personality and always on the move — so don’t be surprised if she introduces herself and ropes you into playing. We’re so grateful to be part of this incredible place and can’t wait to make more memories with all of you. Happy trails!

Lance as Wrangler

Hello, my name is Lance Miller and this is my first season at the Covered Wagon Ranch. I was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico but came up to Montana two years ago. Since then I have picked up a life partner named Ronan who is a red/blue heeler mix and is friendly as all can be. I was raised around cattle, horses, and all kinds of creatures growing up. My mom and dad put me and my sister into rodeos when I was younger, but I never found my love for horses till I grew up a little more. I find myself truly happy on the back of a horse now, whether it be walking down a trail or chasing a cow trying to get a loop around her. I look forward to having a great summer with all the crew and meeting all the guests and getting to know them during their time here.

Jessica as Wrangler

Hi again! My name is Jessica, I’m one of your wranglers, and this will be my fourth season at the Covered Wagon. Many of y’all know me for my east coast roots; I am a proud hybrid Washingtonian/Bostonian, where I was raised and went to college. I have spent the last several years on horseback across Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico (so far), and I am eternally grateful to Kurt and Mel for giving me my start in this amazing career! I hold both my EMT License and Wilderness First Responder cert, so call me if you ever need a bandaid! My passions are travel, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things. I’m so excited to see all my friends from the last few years, and to meet our new guests and our incredible new crew. You all are my favorite thing about the ranch… Well, you and Ninja! This summer will be an amazing one!

Carissa as Wrangler

Hi everyone! My name is Carissa Claxton, and this will be my first year at Covered Wagon Ranch. I’m 22 years old and have been riding horses since I was nine. I was born and raised in Georgia, where my love for horses started at a young age. Barrel racing has always been my biggest passion. Throughout my youth I traveled all over the Southeast competing, but what I truly love most isn’t just the thrill of the race — it’s the process of training a horse. Watching a horse learn, grow, and eventually put all the steps together is incredibly rewarding to me. Funny enough, that’s actually how I first discovered Covered Wagon Ranch. I used to barrel race with a family friend, and years ago, I bought one of the ranch’s horses—which just makes being here now feel even more special. I’m so excited to be a part of the team and can’t wait for all the adventures ahead!

Raegan as Wrangler

Howdy, my name is Raegan Helton and this is my second season at Covered Wagon Ranch! Although I was born and raised in Tennessee, I always dreamed of living out west when I graduated college so getting to work here at the Covered Wagon has honestly been a dream come true. I have two amazing parents, and I am the middle of two boys so of course I’m the favorite! I graduated from the University of Tennessee’s College of Agriculture in May of 2024; I am certified in both artificial insemination and ultrasound and enjoy practicing reproduction and breeding with horses. I am currently in vet tech school and enjoying every second of it! I love to travel and spend time getting dirty outside but also love any excuse to get dressed up. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with everyone here at the Covered Wagon Ranch, to serve each and every one of you, and to help build connections with people from all over the world!

Shelby as Wrangler

Hello my name is Shelby Copeland. I was born and raised in a small town in North Georgia; interestingly, near Mr. Puckett’s hometown. I grew up on a farm, so riding horses and being out in the country is my happy place. I also love fishing, riding mountain bikes, and playing guitar. This will be my first year at Covered Wagon Ranch, and I am beyond thankful and blessed for this opportunity! I can’t wait to spend time with new people and be a part of some amazing memories! 

Grace as Alternate

My name is Grace and this will be my first season at the ranch! I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Seattle, Washington, and while I love many things about the city, I’m also a country girl at heart! I grew up visiting my cousin’s wheat farm several times a year where my siblings and I would help with harvest and spend lots of time with their animals. It was one of our favorite places to be growing up! I went to college to study education and became a reading specialist for four years before deciding I wanted to spend some more time exploring the world around me. I still love kids, but I have had so much fun getting to try some new things and see new places! A few summers ago, I took a big leap and left Washington to work on a dude ranch in Colorado, then came to Montana to work as a barista at Big Sky Resort and learn to ski! I have fallen in love with this place and am super excited to share the beauty of this area with all of you!

Bonnie as Housekeeper

Hello! My name is Bonnie, and this will be my first season working at Covered Wagon Ranch. I was born and raised a Texan, but the first time I visited Montana I knew I had to find a way to make this my new home. I have been here about a year and a half and absolutely love it! I love all kinds of animals – dogs and horses especially. I am no expert when it comes to horses, but check back at the end of the summer to see how that has changed. I love all things outdoors and spend my summers hiking, camping with good friends, kayaking, road-tripping to National parks, berry picking, and climbing mountains. I spend my winters snowboarding, ice skating, writing in coffee shops, and spending cozy nights with friends. I am so excited to get to work at a ranch this summer, a dream I have had since the first time I visited Montana.

Gordon as Maintenance

If Gordon won’t write a bio, I guess Melissa’ll do it for him—because there wouldn’t be a Covered Wagon Ranch as we know it without him. Gordon is Montana born and raised and a longtime friend of the Puckett family. He originally came down just to help remodel their house in Three Forks… and never really left. Since then, he’s built just about everything — from structures at Braxyer, to barn additions, to the Corona Café, and the newer crew quarters. He’s also the man behind many of Melissa’s Pinterest-fueled project ideas (sorry, Gordon). You’ll usually find him in the lodge early mornings having coffee and bacon with Kurt (and John), or mysteriously emerging from the bushes on a four-wheeler to fix something someone broke.

Hannah as Office Person

I couldn’t very well miss out on the 100th Anniversary of the Covered Wagon Ranch now, could I? Yogi and I are back for more mischief, occasionally accompanied by my new husband Travis and my step dog, Timber. Alice will be staying at our home in Bozeman, because she is a cat and hates everything. On ranch, I’m the “Office Person”, whatever that means. Off ranch, you may find me wandering around the woods talking to myself and staring at things in trees

Shandi as Nanny and Housekeeper

Hey, I’m Shandi! I’m from rural southern New Hampshire, where I was raised with my twelve siblings. I’m so excited to be back for the second time at the Covered Wagon Ranch as the nanny! I’m always up for an adventure—I love hiking and exploring nature, as well as travelling and discovering new places. But when I’m at home in NH, one of the things I love the most is spending time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to see all the returning guests and crew and to have the opportunity to meet new ones! Let’s have the best summer together!