Built in 1939, Old Tucson is a renowned film set and family theme park located just outside Tucson, AZ. Nestled between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park, this beautiful desert setting has been the filming location for hundreds of classic western films and TV shows. The studio opened its doors as a theme park in 1960 and continues to welcome guests for a variety of immersive and theatrical experiences, special events, and tours.

The Tucson Rodeo Parade originated in February 1925. At that time, it preceded the Tucson Rodeo and was a one-day event, both of which were conceived with the thought that they could benefit Tucson’s economy by attracting tourists. The plan worked! Now, 100 years later, the parade is still rollin' strong!

Anna Twinney’s Reach Out to Horses programs give you the opportunity to learn the methodologies and concepts necessary to fully understand and work in the language of the horse. Anna is a noted International Equine Specialist, Natural Horsemanship Clinician, Animal Communicator and Energy Healer. Her hands-on approach will allow you to gain insight and understanding into the mind of the horse, learn how to leave the one-way conversation behind, and build a true connection and trust-based partnership with your horse.

Mark Bedor is the creator of Today’s Wild West, an award-winning documentary-style TV series on all-things-Western and a two-time winner of the National Cowboy Museum’s Western Heritage Award.

Mark is a long-time freelance magazine writer-photographer, author of two Western coffee table photography books, and spent a career in local TV news, before focusing on the Great American West.

Mark Bedor and Russell have been friends for years and in this edition of the Cowboy Up podcast, those years come alive and they share what they are up to now. This one is a lot of fun! Sit back and enjoy!

Spend a few minutes with Dean Ruffing. Dean is the CEO of Hotels In The Best Destinations.

Dean shares some of his favorite places to visit and even gives us a little “Inside Baseball” on how booking travel and getting the best deal actually works. Learn about terms like OTA and IPW and how to leverage these to get the most bang for your travel dollar.

Dean and Russell have worked and traveled together extensively for year. Come along for a great ride. Saddle up!

Michael Delbar has been the CEO of the California Rangeland Trust for the last decade. The mission of the trust is to preserve working landscapes in the state of California along with protecting what matters by working with California ranching families to preserve our state’s rangeland, air and water quality, wildlife habitat, and local food supplies. What they have learned over the years is that once the land is converted to other uses, it doesn’t go back.

The resources the California Rangeland Trust protects are too precious to lose. The land is is vital for our future. Together, we can support ranchers in protecting these invaluable resources for generations to come.

Great Quote Being a cowgirl goes beyond the hat and boots. It’s having the grit, determination & passion to achieve your dreams. It’s being fearless & confident in who you are. It’s having integrity and doing the right thing, no matter what. It’s being loyal, hard working, genuine, kind, gracious, tough, honest and classy- the core characteristics every woman should strive to have.

• Celebrating National Day of the Cowgirl - September 15 is National Day of the Cowgirl; celebrating the women who embody and live out the Western lifestyle.
• Durango boots officially claimed it a National Day in 2022 through the National Day Archives. The day was established, "to recognize the women who personify the Western lifestyle. National Day of the Cowgirl is a celebration and recognition of the spirit of the American cowgirl – a spirit embodied by women who are strong, confident, and resilient."
• Erin Delong with Durango says, “Through farming and ranching, arts and culture or equine sports, the spirit of a cowgirl shines through women from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the western way of life."
• I am blessed to say that I grew up being inspired by cowgirls of all different walks of life. I have learned from the best of horsewomen. I have learned though, that a cowgirl is more than a woman on a horse, but someone of strength, grit, and determination. A cowgirl doesn't give up or quit easily and she knows how to hold her ground and stand firm in what she believes in.
• Life at White Stallion Would be far more difficult without cowgirls and what they add to the mix.
• Why did Durango Boots get involved with this effort and what took so long?
• Durango Boots Scholarship? Tell us about it.
• Association with the Dude Ranch Association. Russell was inducted into the Dude Ranch Hall of Fame in January 2024.
• Talk about Durango Boots

The Best of America By Horseback is hosted by Del & Shevawn Shields and they capture the beauty of America by horseback. This is the number one trail riding show in the country, featuring magnificent riding locations around the United States and the surrounding countries while also providing educational and informative segments on horses, travel, equine care, and quality equine products and services.​

Each location featured on the show is a place where viewers can go with their own horses and some destinations even provide equine for guests to use. Best of America by Horseback covers all of the details you would want to know before you visit yourself, such as the trails and terrain, the footing and the difficulty level of the trails, the available lodging accommodations or camping facilities as well as ease of access with large rigs