Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon & Aspen Peterson.
Hi Brandon & Aspen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Brandon and I met in 2020 and it didn’t take us long to know we’d met our match. Brandon worked part-time for Rocky Mountain Outfitters while still maintaining a full-time job. He grew up rodeoing so anything horse-related is second nature to him! I grew up on a ranch in eastern Wyoming so needless to say, neither one of us was a stranger to hard work.
Brandon’s Uncle Bob is the epitome of a teamster. He taught Brandon everything there is to know about the art–and trust me, it’s an art! My great grandfathers (on both my mom’s and dad’s sides) used teams to work in their fields. Some of my favorite stories are of them and their horses. It’s so special to harness our own teams in sets that came from them!
In 2021, I visited Brandon in New Hampshire where he was doing sleigh rides for the Ice Castles–talk about cold, but I sure learned a lot from the driver’s seat of a sleigh! Fast forward to August when Brandon purchased Rocky Mountain Outfitter’s horseback rides at Soldier Hollow Stables and all of the horse-drawn activities.
As if we weren’t busy enough running our new business, we also tied the knot in November (yes, we’re a little crazy) but it has been the best uphill climb we’ve ever tackled! Getting to work together on our dreams is definitely worth all the stress, late nights, and frigid temperatures!
We can’t talk about RMO without thanking our families, friends, and RMO team for all their help and support. As cliche as it is, we really are blessed with the best! We have so much enjoyed the connections we’ve made along the way and have exciting things in the works!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Any business owner knows that the highs are high and the lows are low. We’d be lying if we said it has been easy! Some nights are more restless than others with stress and worries.
I joke that RMO is our first-born child because we love it, worry about it, and are anxious to help it grow and succeed! Although it’s not always a smooth road, we wouldn’t trade it for the world. We love getting to connect with our guests and shine some light on a way of life that is often forgotten.
It wasn’t that long ago that we relied on horses for more than just a fun activity.
We’ve been impressed with Rocky Mountain Outfitters, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are the creators of amazing outdoor adventures! Our horseback rides are offered year-round and no matter the time of year, the view is always better from the back of a horse. In the summer we host chuckwagon dinners and private wagon rides upon request. One of our favorites is getting to participate in weddings–the horses love it, too!
Fall time is always a thriller! We host an event called “Sleepy Hollow” which tells the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Then we move into wintertime with sleigh rides at the Ice Castles and carriage rides through a light show.
We are so proud of our team is made up of the finest horsemen, horsewomen, and horses. Our guides and drivers are knowledgeable, personable, and usually have some pretty funny stories, too!
Joe Loveridge, RMO’s predecessor, built an incredible brand. Joe sells some top-notch mounts at RMO Horses and still operates the fly fishing which is also open year-round.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Brandon teases that if it weren’t for bad luck, he wouldn’t have any luck at all. I beg to differ… somehow he met me! All jokes aside, we don’t believe in luck, but rather in hard work and blessings.
You sometimes hear that blood, sweat, and tears were involved in business ventures and I’m here to tell you that’s precisely the case here! We are so grateful and humbled to be in this position.
Pricing:
- Horseback rides: $99 (1 hr ride) $109 (1.5 hour ride)
- Chuckwagon dinners: $60/plate (15 person minimum)
- Ice Castle sleigh rides: see Ice Castle’s website
- Carriage rides through a light show: see our website
- Sleepy Hollow rides: see our website
Contact Info:
- Email: rmo.reservations@gmail.com
- Website: rockymtnoutfitters.com
- Instagram: @rockymountainoutfitters
- Facebook: Rocky Mountain Outfitters UT Horseback Riding Fly Fishing
Image Credits
Jessica E Photography
