Western Colorado. The ACA has operated in many different states. The ACA started in Montana and operated in Texas in 2023. We no longer operate in those states. 

Step 1: Submit Application

Step 2: The ACA Team will get in touch with you to conduct qualifying interview 

Step 3: After Acceptance,  Complete Enrollment Paperwork

Step 4: Pay Deposit 

Our most popular course is our 1 week Horsemanship and Ranching 101. It is 5 training days. However, students can take up to 6 weeks of courses with the ACA. 

Each day is different at the ACA. We typically train for 12-15 hours a day. Each day begins between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. We have breakfast then immediately jump into training. Depending on our training itenairy we will either begin the day with Horsemanship or the Ranch Hand Skill of the day. We train until around 12:30 and break for lunch. After lunch we resume training until 6:00-7:00 p.m. Students will begin roping practice as dinner is prepared. We often end the night with a campfire, poker, or conversations answering student questions. 

No! The American Cowboy Academy is the experience. For our Beginner/ Intermediate Horsemanship and Ranching no prior experience is required. We will teach you to rope, ride, and be Bona Fide. 

The American Cowboy Academy began in 2021. The first ACA student attended in the summer of 2022. This makes for our 3rd season in operation. Since our inception, we have had over 60+ students from every corner of the United States and internationally as well. 

$2,750 for our Fully Inclusive 5-Day (65+ Training Hour) Horsemanship and Ranching 101. For that price you receive a fully inclusive training and learning experience. We provide housing, all meals, all the tools, tack and equipment for our lessons. You’ll only need to bring clothes, boots and a cowboy hat if you have one. 

Yes, absolutely. Our course is designed to equip our students with the Hands-on Experience necessary to gain employment or internships in the Ranching industry. After you graduate, you gain access to our alumni network and our resume building tools. The ACA does not provide jobs but we work diligently to assist students in promoting themselves and find opportunities. 

The American Cowboy Academy, LLC has no affiliation with americancowboyacademy.org or “Cowboy Clinics.” Furthermore, we do not operate in Texas or endorse their small scale operations. 

Yes. Our accommodations are bunkhouse style. To provide the most immersive ranching experience you will be bunking with your other classmates. 

As of today, our minimum age to attend is 18+. In 2025, we will be offering youth courses. 

The ACA does not run Co-Ed classes. There is no difference between the courses. The training itinerary is the exact same for men and women. 

Clothing- Jeans or long leg pants. Shirts- Short or long sleeve. A rain jacket and light jacket. Closed toe boots. Basic tolitrees. We will provide all the equipment, horses, tack, bits, tools that you will use for training.  

Quarter Horses are the cornerstone of Western Ranching. Thus, the ACA only uses quarter horses for our instruction. 

The ACA accepts every form of payment. Credit, Debit, Cash, Check, etc

If you serve our country or your local community, The ACA is honored to extend a 5% discount to attend our courses. 

Yes, The ACA Team will coordinate transportation to and from ASE (Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport) 

Continuing education, community outreach, job and information sharing are all aspects of The ACA Alumni Network. With each class, new students are added to the ever-growing community.