The Hearst Ranch 
One of the oldest working ranches in California is the Hearst Ranch comprised of San Simeon/Piedra Blanca Rancho and the Jack Ranch/Cholame Rancho. This historic ranch operates in much the same way as when purchased by Senator George Hearst in 1865. Science and technology certainly play a role in modern ranching, but on the Hearst Ranch they stick to tradition with most of the work done by cowboys on horseback.

In 1865 George Hearst, a successful miner during the California Gold Rush and later a U.S. Senator, acquired coastal ranchland in San Simeon. Original holdings were approximately 48,000 acres, eventually growing to 270,000 acres. Hearst began his legacy of quality breeding, careful stewardship of the land, resulting in one of the finest stock farms in the state. The Hearst Ranch also raised sheep, hogs, poultry, expansive orchards and Arabian horses.

Hearst's son, publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, inherited the ranching operation. He also began building the famous "Hearst Castle" on the ranch in 1919, often visited by U.S. presidents, foreign heads of state, five-star generals and Hollywood stars. The Castle was gifted to the State of California in 1957 and is one of the top tourist attractions on the California coast. The Ranch remains one of California's largest working cattle ranches.

Acquired in 1965, the Hearst Ranch was expanded to include the Jack Ranch located in San Luis Obispo, Monterey and King counties, part of an original Mexican land grant dating back to 1844. Prior to the Hearst family's acquisition, the cattle ranch was owned and operated by R. Edgar Jack and Family who acquired the land in 1893 from original grant holder Mauricio Gonzales Family. The Jack Ranch "Circle C" brand is the oldest registered brand in California still in use today. Together both Hearst Ranch properties provide enough grassland to sustain large cattle herds on a nutritious, range-fed diet. (www.hearstranch.com)

The Dorrance Ranch 
For three generations, the Dorrance family have grazed cattle on their 4300 acre ranch on the northern ridge of Mt. Toro near Salinas, California overlooking what author John Steinbeck called "Pastures of Heaven" with its panoramic views of Big Sur, Monterey Bay, Salinas and Carmel Valley. In 2008, sons of the late and legendary horseman Bill Dorrance secured the ranch in a permanent conservation easement protecting their magnificent ranchland for future generations. Steve Dorrance, wife Leslie and family continue the cattle operation today.

The Dorrance legacy began with master horseman Bill Dorrance and his brother Tom Dorrance. Both notable horsemen and ranchers. Bill's long lifetime knowledge of horses and how they work, his insights and "partnership" approach could be applied to all riding disciplines. His style, reflective of the 18th century California vaquero, was advanced to a higher level; his approach to training horses was embraced by many of today's well-known and respected horse clinicians including Buck Brannaman. Dorrance was also respected for braiding rawhide reatas, reins and bosals. (www.billdorrance.com)

The Korkow Ranch & Rodeo School 
Synonymous with rodeo bulls and bucking horses, the Anchor K, owed and operated by three generations of the Korkow family in South Dakota is well known in the rodeo world. The ranch operation began in 1947 with Erv Korkow establishing a strong rodeo stock breeding program. His stock was selected for the very first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 1959. They are only 1 of 3 stock contractors continuously asked to supply bucking stock at every NFR. Korkow, his wife and three sons were all involved in every aspect of ranching and rodeo lifestyle. Honored often for achievements and dedication, awards include S.D. Hall of Fame; Casey Tibb's; Fairman's Hall of Fame; and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Son Jim Korkow currently owns and operates the 20,000 acre Anchor K with his wife and family. They farm, ranch and continue to produce rodeo bucking stock, contracted in 15 states throughout the season. Every spring for over 25 years, Korkow's host their "ranch rodeo school" offering young cowboys the basics of riding bareback, saddle bronc horses and bulls taught by World Champion event instructors. Korkow's have been honored yearly with numerous awards, including a Lifetime Family Heritage award. (www.korkowrodeos.com)