What is the Anton Ranch?
The Anton Ranch is a cowgirl run barrel racing performance horse center. Professional barrel racer Ali Anton started this place to give cowgirls a place to come love horses and learn barrel racing. A place where cowgirls can grow and confidence can be built. We’re tucked away in our own little corner of the world where life with animals is the only way we know. At the ranch we all love horses, love barrel racing, love competing in barrel races & rodeos and truly support each other in and out of the arena.
Where are you located?
We are located in Sonoma county - Healdsburg CA.
How much are lessons? And how long?
Lessons are $80 a lesson and are an hour long each. Lessons are the same price on your horse or mine.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit to start.
Do you have to have prior experience?
Yes. We do prefer you to have horseback riding experience.
Do you have to come weekly to be apart of the program?
Yes. Weekly lessons are required to be apart of the program.
Do you need your own tack &/or horse?
No. You don’t need your own tack until you want to join the barrel racing team. And no you don’t need your own horse. The ranch provides the tack and horse.
What are the necessary horse things to know before coming?
We prefer you knowing how to tack up, walk, and trot but totally understand if you don’t know that yet. Be honest with what you’re comfortable doing so we can show you the rest the best way we can. Lying about experience can be dangerous for the rider.
What else should we be prepared for when coming to the ranch?
You should definitely be prepared for dogs coming up to you right away. We have 5 dogs here and they love attention. You’ll learn quickly they’re one of the best parts of the ranch and will keep siblings entertained for days.
What do you do when it rains?
When it rains we have to cancel lessons. Barrel racing is an extreme sport and I don’t feel comfortable with having kids ride and slip. It could cause an injury to the student or horse and both are worse than canceling for the week.
Can you ride somewhere else and also at the Anton ranch?
Absolutely! I truly believe in what we do at the ranch and don’t believe riding time should be a competition. Any hours on a horse is irreplaceable. We have many many many cancellations in the winter so I totally understand if you ride elsewhere too.
Do we tack up ourselves and is that part of the lesson?
Yes. You will learn (if you don’t already) everything from getting horses in the pasture, unblanketing, tacking, getting on (from the ground), barrel racing, untacking and horse after care. This is all apart of your 1 hour lesson. There’s so much more to being a successful barrel racer than just riding and I hope you learn that here.
What chores can we help with at the ranch? Can parents help?
At every lesson you can always help with chores. Parents can totally help too.
Scooping poop and horse care are the main chores. Feel free to grab a wheelbarrow and a pitch fork and start scooping anytime. Or grab some brushes, a hoof pick and some treats and help clean horses.
Can we come to the ranch/barn not on our lessons days?
On Thursdays we have ranch work days. An afternoon where all the students can come and work. We do all sorts of things- stack hay, make grain buckets, fill water buckets, pick rocks, horse spa days, ranch clean up, scooping poop, truck & trailer cleaning, trailer set up for races.
What should we bring to our first lesson?
Boots, a helmet and payment. You will not be able to ride until your first lesson is paid. You may send Venmo ahead of time if wanted.
How do we pay?
Cash or venmo only. For the first month lessons must be paid for at the lesson or before.
After the first month bills can be sent to you at the end of each month.
What is expected from us as a rider?
We have high expectations here at the ranch but we have so many girls willing to help also. We expect you to catch horses, unblanket and blanket, tack up, get on, be teachable during lessons, be helpful to the ranch, be supportive of the other girls, and take care of everything you use.
What services do you provide?
Right now our program has a few different aspect. Our main service is barrel racing lessons. Not regular riding lessons but barrel racing lessons. This goes hand and hand with our barrel racing team.
As a coach I also help my girls find horses and act as a broker when they’re ready to purchase their own. We offer private boarding for those horses at the ranch.
We also offer horse leases where the horse is offered to one student to care for like it’s your own.
Lastly in 2024 the Anton Ranch is going to be producing 4 races. This will be an exciting new venture.
What is the race team?
The barrel racing team is a super special part of our program. Lesson students can go with Ali and the team to events and compete. The horse, trailering, and trainer (Ali) is all provided for you.
When can we start going to races with you?
The race team opens twice a year. Once in January and once in June. If you feel ready- come to our race team meetings during those months, share with me your goals and be ready to work really hard. The race team is a HUGE COMMITMENT. They have a bunch of responsibilities that extend far beyond just the races.
Can we come to the ranch events even if we’re not apart of the racing team? Ex - Christmas party or Halloween party
Of course!!! That ranch events are open to all students. The more the merrier we love all you girls.
Will your lessons be with Ali?
No. Not all lessons will be with Ali. We have assistant instructors - Carrie, Lexi and Nana. All three are great riders and know the program well. There’s only one Ali and it’s hard to keep up with 30 plus students at once. But I promise I will be there to help you if you trust the program and keep working hard.
Do you offer boarding?
No. we don’t offer public boarding. We do offer private boarding to the race team. Contact Ali directly for more info.
Can family and friends come watch our lesson? And take pictures / videos ?
Absolutely! We have a viewing deck to have spectators come check it out. Yes yes yes to pics and videos! If you post we’d love you to tag us at @antonranch
Do you have a volunteer opportunities? (to do work at the ranch but not ride)
No. we do not have volunteer opportunities. Since we are a private cowgirl ranch with mainly kids we are very careful who we let come up. But I do get this question a lot so I will try to come up with some ways adults can help too.
What if we are sick?
The lessons will be rescheduled if you or me if sick. If too many kids cancel in one day lessons will be rescheduled.
The Anton Ranch is a cowgirl run barrel racing performance horse center. Professional barrel racer Ali Anton started this place to give cowgirls a place to come love horses and learn barrel racing. A place where cowgirls can grow and confidence can be built. We’re tucked away in our own little corner of the world where life with animals is the only way we know. At the ranch we all love horses, love barrel racing, love competing in barrel races & rodeos and truly support each other in and out of the arena.
Where are you located?
We are located in Sonoma county - Healdsburg CA.
How much are lessons? And how long?
Lessons are $80 a lesson and are an hour long each. Lessons are the same price on your horse or mine.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit to start.
Do you have to have prior experience?
Yes. We do prefer you to have horseback riding experience.
Do you have to come weekly to be apart of the program?
Yes. Weekly lessons are required to be apart of the program.
Do you need your own tack &/or horse?
No. You don’t need your own tack until you want to join the barrel racing team. And no you don’t need your own horse. The ranch provides the tack and horse.
What are the necessary horse things to know before coming?
We prefer you knowing how to tack up, walk, and trot but totally understand if you don’t know that yet. Be honest with what you’re comfortable doing so we can show you the rest the best way we can. Lying about experience can be dangerous for the rider.
What else should we be prepared for when coming to the ranch?
You should definitely be prepared for dogs coming up to you right away. We have 5 dogs here and they love attention. You’ll learn quickly they’re one of the best parts of the ranch and will keep siblings entertained for days.
What do you do when it rains?
When it rains we have to cancel lessons. Barrel racing is an extreme sport and I don’t feel comfortable with having kids ride and slip. It could cause an injury to the student or horse and both are worse than canceling for the week.
Can you ride somewhere else and also at the Anton ranch?
Absolutely! I truly believe in what we do at the ranch and don’t believe riding time should be a competition. Any hours on a horse is irreplaceable. We have many many many cancellations in the winter so I totally understand if you ride elsewhere too.
Do we tack up ourselves and is that part of the lesson?
Yes. You will learn (if you don’t already) everything from getting horses in the pasture, unblanketing, tacking, getting on (from the ground), barrel racing, untacking and horse after care. This is all apart of your 1 hour lesson. There’s so much more to being a successful barrel racer than just riding and I hope you learn that here.
What chores can we help with at the ranch? Can parents help?
At every lesson you can always help with chores. Parents can totally help too.
Scooping poop and horse care are the main chores. Feel free to grab a wheelbarrow and a pitch fork and start scooping anytime. Or grab some brushes, a hoof pick and some treats and help clean horses.
Can we come to the ranch/barn not on our lessons days?
On Thursdays we have ranch work days. An afternoon where all the students can come and work. We do all sorts of things- stack hay, make grain buckets, fill water buckets, pick rocks, horse spa days, ranch clean up, scooping poop, truck & trailer cleaning, trailer set up for races.
What should we bring to our first lesson?
Boots, a helmet and payment. You will not be able to ride until your first lesson is paid. You may send Venmo ahead of time if wanted.
How do we pay?
Cash or venmo only. For the first month lessons must be paid for at the lesson or before.
After the first month bills can be sent to you at the end of each month.
What is expected from us as a rider?
We have high expectations here at the ranch but we have so many girls willing to help also. We expect you to catch horses, unblanket and blanket, tack up, get on, be teachable during lessons, be helpful to the ranch, be supportive of the other girls, and take care of everything you use.
What services do you provide?
Right now our program has a few different aspect. Our main service is barrel racing lessons. Not regular riding lessons but barrel racing lessons. This goes hand and hand with our barrel racing team.
As a coach I also help my girls find horses and act as a broker when they’re ready to purchase their own. We offer private boarding for those horses at the ranch.
We also offer horse leases where the horse is offered to one student to care for like it’s your own.
Lastly in 2024 the Anton Ranch is going to be producing 4 races. This will be an exciting new venture.
What is the race team?
The barrel racing team is a super special part of our program. Lesson students can go with Ali and the team to events and compete. The horse, trailering, and trainer (Ali) is all provided for you.
When can we start going to races with you?
The race team opens twice a year. Once in January and once in June. If you feel ready- come to our race team meetings during those months, share with me your goals and be ready to work really hard. The race team is a HUGE COMMITMENT. They have a bunch of responsibilities that extend far beyond just the races.
Can we come to the ranch events even if we’re not apart of the racing team? Ex - Christmas party or Halloween party
Of course!!! That ranch events are open to all students. The more the merrier we love all you girls.
Will your lessons be with Ali?
No. Not all lessons will be with Ali. We have assistant instructors - Carrie, Lexi and Nana. All three are great riders and know the program well. There’s only one Ali and it’s hard to keep up with 30 plus students at once. But I promise I will be there to help you if you trust the program and keep working hard.
Do you offer boarding?
No. we don’t offer public boarding. We do offer private boarding to the race team. Contact Ali directly for more info.
Can family and friends come watch our lesson? And take pictures / videos ?
Absolutely! We have a viewing deck to have spectators come check it out. Yes yes yes to pics and videos! If you post we’d love you to tag us at @antonranch
Do you have a volunteer opportunities? (to do work at the ranch but not ride)
No. we do not have volunteer opportunities. Since we are a private cowgirl ranch with mainly kids we are very careful who we let come up. But I do get this question a lot so I will try to come up with some ways adults can help too.
What if we are sick?
The lessons will be rescheduled if you or me if sick. If too many kids cancel in one day lessons will be rescheduled.
