We’re so excited to be welcoming many new and familiar faces back to the ranch for our 101st season!

Savannah – Wrangler

Hello! I’m Savannah, and this is my first season with Covered Wagon Ranch. I grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and am completing my first year of college in Wyoming, double-majoring in Ag Business and Animal Science. I am in my seventh year of FFA  membership and hoping to go to the National Convention in October for my Vet Science Proficiency and American Degree. I love working cattle, being outside, western photography, and leatherworking. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to spend the summer at CWR and get to know everyone!

Nick – Dinner Chef

Hello, my name is Nick Freije and I’m excited to do my first season as dinner chef at the ranch. I was raised in the Midwest and started my chef career in Chicago. I love the outdoors and cooking over a BBQ. Fishing, Hiking, or just relaxing by a fire is where you will see me on my days off. I look forward to this season and sharing my talents with everyone. 

Addie – Housekeeper (June & July)

Hello, my name is Addie and I was born and raised in Washington, and this is my first summer working at the ranch—I’m so excited to be here and meet all of you! I’m a college athlete and have played sports my whole life, so I love staying active and being part of a team. I come from a big family, which is probably why I enjoy being around people so much. In my free time, I love traveling, hiking, and being outdoors, especially horseback riding, which is one of my favorite things to do. I also love reading and baking when I get the chance. Back home, I’ve worked as a certified nursing assistant over the past year, and I really enjoy helping and caring for others. I’ll be part of the housekeeping team this summer, and I’m looking forward to helping make your stay here as comfortable and fun as possible!

Daisy – Wrangler

Hello! My name is Daisy Colquitt and this is my first season at Covered Wagon Ranch. I was born and raised in central Georgia. I recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelors in animal science. Horses have always been a huge part of my life – I grew up riding, primarily barrel racing, but my passion lies with working with young horses. I also have a huge interest in equine reproduction and love learning the science behind these incredible animals. Outside of horses you’ll typically find me curled up with a book outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, or spending time with friends and family. I have always dreamed of moving west as I love experiencing new places and opportunities. I am so excited to spend the summer working at Covered Wagon Ranch and look forward to meeting all the guests!

Luciana – Prep Cook

Hey, I’m Lucianna but everyone calls me Lucy. This is my first time working at the CWR and I’m very excited to be here! I will be your prep cook this season. I come from a family of 10 and love spending time with them. I was born in NC and moved to the upper peninsula of Michigan a few years ago. I love reading and being in the sunshine. 

Jessica – Lead Wrangler

Hello again! My name is Jessica, and this will be my fifth year at the Covered Wagon. I’m lucky enough to spend almost every day on the back of a horse, and Big Sky Country is my favorite place to do that (or, if you ask Kurt, I didn’t read the fine print and now have signed my life over to the ranch). I am originally from the DC area, then went to college in Boston, and for the past five years I’ve explored the west from season to season, seeing everything from sage brush to Saguaros at various ranches and wildlife reserves. In my free time, you will likely find me road tripping in my Prius, hiking in a national park, reading, doing something creative, or learning something new. I am the ranch’s resident EMT and Wilderness First Responder, but no pressure on any of y’all to make me use that training! I’m so excited to meet the crew, as well as new and returning guests, and to get up to all kinds of adventures with you. It’s a privilege to be back!

Julie – Office

Hi everyone, my name is Julie Sanny and this is my first season at Covered Wagon Ranch. I was born and raised in California and, though I’ve traveled to different parts of the country, this will be my first time visiting Montana. I have my BA in Sociology and have enjoyed working remotely this past year and a half, but figured it’s time to branch out a little bit. As someone who’s always loved horses, hiking,and traveling to new places, a dude ranch felt like the perfect fit. I am excited to be working with and learning from all of you this season!

Natalie – Housekeeper (August & September)

Hello, My name is Natalie and I am from Minnesota! I am super excited for my first season at Covered Wagon Ranch! I think this will be a great opportunity to work hard, meet new people, and explore the beautiful state of Montana. I come from a large family so I spend much of my free time with them as well as my lovely friends. I also love to get outside and appreciate God’s amazing creation and like to travel as much as I can. I’m always looking for a new adventure and can’t wait to see what this one brings! 

Arrington – Wrangler

Hello, My name is Arrington Grant and I am from Chiefland, Florida. This is my first summer at the Covered Wagon Ranch, and I am excited to get to meet new people and see all the amazing wonders Montana has. I have grown up helping on our family’s ranch and even have a small herd of my own cattle. I have been on a horse since I was 8 years old and team roping competitively since I was 14.  In my spare time you can catch me training horses or going fly fishing, I also enjoy hunting a variety of game.

Remington – Ranch Hand

Hi, my name is Remington Peters, and this will be my first year working at the Covered Wagon Ranch. I was born and raised in Central Montana in a small town called Fairfield. This may be the first year of working at the ranch but I grew up coming down during the summer because Kurt and Melissa are my aunt and uncle. I have a certificate in business management from the University of Montana and plan to use it to open my own business someday. 

Shyann – Alternate

Hello everyone, my name is Shyann Richards. I grew up in Boone, North Carolina with a really big family; I am the baby out of 5 siblings! I have always had a strong love for the ranching lifestyle. I have trained my own horses and I enjoy working cattle. I am an adrenaline junkie and rode bulls for two years back home. I met Kurt and Melissa five years ago and they became a big part of my life. I made a choice to move out to Montana with them and they have helped me with so many big opportunities. I am thankful for being a part of their family and they are stuck with me now!

Ivana – Dishwasher

Hi everyone I’m Ivana Somero, but please call me Vannie.  I just turned twenty three and I’m fueled by caffeine and powered by snacks. I love hiking and staying active. I thrive on spontaneous side quests, they keep life engaging. This will be my second time working at the ranch. The first year I worked here was back in 2022. I had such a great experience that I had to come back. This year I will be your dishwasher and I’m so thrilled to meet you all this summer.

Cora – Barn Intern (June & July)

Hello my name is Cora Cunningham and this my 1st season at Covered Wagon Ranch. I have grown up my whole life in Hilton Head Island, SC and will be attending college at Georgia Southern in the fall! I love to breakaway rope, explore trails, and overall just being with my horses. Me and my dad have had the privilege of being guests at the ranch every summer for about a decade, and I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to be at the ranch this summer!

Madison – Breakfast & Lunch Chef

Hey y’all! My name is Madison Findlay and I am excited to be working as a Breakfast/Lunch Chef here at Covered Wagon Ranch! This is my first season here at CWR and my second season in Big Sky, Montana. I am from a small town in Michigan where my family farms. I recently graduated from Northwestern Michigan College with a degree in Culinary Arts. In my free time, I ride my horse, play with my cat and dog, hike, run, cook/bake, read, and watercolor paint. It’s been a dream of mine for many years to live in Montana. I can’t wait to make new friends, explore the beautiful west, and share my love for “Big Sky Country” with you.

Lance – Wrangler

Hi, my name is Lance Miller, this is my second season here at Covered Wagon. I was born and raised in Taos, NM where I grew up around horses, cows and a bunch of other animals all my life thanks to my family. I grew up rodeoing and doing 4-H since I could remember but my enjoyment in everything involving horses didn’t really hit me till I grew up a little bit. I enjoy fishing, hunting, roping, reading, exploring new country, rodeoing, trying new foods, and spending time with my dog Ronan. I’m excited to get back to Covered Wagon after exploring the desert for a while and I am looking forward to making good memories with everyone there!

Jessamyn – Server

Hello! My name is Jessamyn Kuusisto. I’m from Greer, South Carolina. I’ve worked as a barista for the past four years, so I really love coffee. When I’m not at a coffee shop you can find me relaxing by the pool reading a good book. I enjoy painting my nails and playing adventure video games. I look forward to serving all of you this summer!

Loyal – Ranch Hand Intern (June)

Howdy! I’m Loyal (no typo: faithful, trustworthy, loyal) Murphy. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, have spent my entire adult life teaching middle and high school math at the same high school that I attended, and enjoy trying to make it all add up on “the other side of the desk.” In 2021, my wife Lisa and I had our first set of adventures at the Covered Wagon and liked it so much that we returned the following three summers. This will be my fifth visit to the ranch, but my first as an Intern Ranch Hand! It’s strange for a 58-year-old to be so excited about work, but I can’t wait to learn about all aspects of ranching from “the other side of the barn!” If you are a returning guest, you understand why I’m fired up to be working here for the month of June. If you are new to the ranch, I’m eager for you to meet the wonderful people here, have some adventures of your own, and see some of the prettiest, undisturbed country on Earth the best way possible: on the back of a horse. Travel safely and happy trails!

Kaeley – Nanny & Housekeeper (August & September)

Hi, my name is Kaeley Dunstan. This is my first year at Covered Wagon Ranch! I knew I wanted come back to Montana since the first time I visited. I was born and raised in the UP and love living on Lake Superior in the summertime! I worked as a barista at a local cafe and enjoy creating new drinks and recipes. I love traveling and anything adventurous, and I am so excited to spend the summer in the mountains!

Jordan – Server

Hey! I am Jordan! I am returning for a second season. I will be one of your servers! I enjoy being outdoors and visiting new places. I like hanging out with family and meeting new people. I love to travel, even overseas. I have been to Finland where some of my ancestors came from. I look forward to traveling to other countries in the future. I am excited for another year at the ranch!

Josey – Wrangler

Hey y’all!! My name is Josey Leatherman, and this is my first season at the Covered Wagon Ranch! Although I was born and raised in Georgia, this is my second season working in Montana—and my first at a dude ranch. Alongside me is my horse Marie, who you may catch me riding on the trail and my dog, Tulsa! While I love horses, I’m an avid cow gal at heart. I grew up raising cattle and studied beef production in college, so I’m usually happiest in the saddle or working with
livestock. Outside of ranch life, I enjoy cooking and baking, reading, and practicing my roping skills. Fun fact: I also scuba dive! I’m so excited to be here and can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you!

Brooklyn – Nanny & Housekeeper (June & July)

Hi, I’m Brooklyn. I’m returning for a second season at the CWR. Born and raised in North Carolina but have spent the past couple of years living in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I am 1 of 8 siblings and come from a long line of big families. I love kids and very excited to be retuning this year as the nanny. I love to bake and crochet. Fun fact- Jordan and Lucianna are my younger siblings ! 

Gunnar – Ranch Hand

Hey, my name is Gunnar and I’m so excited to be at the Covered Wagon Ranch this year. I have been around all sorts of ranches in my life but this one holds a special spot in my heart, I have been coming down and working for as many years as I can remember. Although I love everything outdoors whether it’s hunting, fishing, or just going for a drive, most of all I have a passion for everything thing horses, but my favorite thing to do is rope. One of my biggest passions is trucks and I know just about all there is when it comes to building them. I know just about enough to be dangerous. I’m always up for a good story or even just a conversation. You’ll either find me working somewhere around the ranch or doing my favorite pass time, taking a nap. I’m ecstatic for this summer and can’t wait to meet everyone. “A good person can get a long way in life but a good horse can get you further” – Randy Travis

Katelyn – Alternate (August & September)

Hi! My name is Katelyn, and this will be my first season working at CWR! I’m beyond excited to step out of my comfort zone and be surrounded by mountain ranges and big sky. As a little girl, I always dreamt about what life on a ranch would be like. I was born and raised in Upper MI, surrounded by lakes, so I spend a lot of time by the water or out on the trails. I also grew up in a large family (I have eight siblings!), so there’s never a dull moment. When I’m not working at a local coffee shop, you can find me with a craft in my hand, planning my next trip, or playing guitar. I’m looking forward to learning the ins and outs of ranch life with the guests!

Camille – Wrangler

Hi everyone! My name is Camille Wilson, and I’m so excited to spend my first summer at Covered Wagon Ranch! I’m originally from eastern Washington but have been living on California’s central coast for the past eight years. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science (Pre-Vet) from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and after graduating I took a position with a dolphin-assisted therapy nonprofit. During that time, I witnessed life-changing moments between dolphins and humans every day, which reinforced and deepened my passion for the human–animal connection. Today, I work for an outfitter and a private reining ranch, and I’ve also earned my equine-assisted learning certification. One day, I hope to start my own equine-assisted therapy nonprofit. For now, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Covered Wagon Ranch and experience the beauty of Montana with all of you. I can’t wait to meet everyone!