By Lacey Parsons
What started as a simple dream on the plains of Wyoming has grown into one of the most respected names in the Western performance horse world. At Rodeo Ranch, family comes first, versatility is the goal, and integrity is the standard. But the road to building this nationally respected operation wasn’t fast or easy.
“We bought the Rodeo Ranch in February of 2020,” recalled Cindy DeLancey, founder and operator of the Rodeo Ranch alongside her husband, Dave. “And you know what happened in March!” She laughed, remembering the start of a global pandemic that cast uncertainty across every industry including the horse world.
But adversity didn’t scare the DeLancey family. If anything, it solidified their mission.
A Legacy Built with Intention
Rodeo Ranch is a family-run operation founded on values of resilience, versatility, and vision. Located in Platte and Laramie County, Wyoming, with a winter base in Wickenburg, Arizona, the ranch raises Corriente cattle and specializes in breeding performance horses that can do it all, from breakaway and team roping to barrel racing, and everything in between.
“We run everything as a family,” Cindy explained. “We started our breeding program about 20 years ago with a mare we bred from an auction purchase. That first foal hooked us, and here we are, five stallions and 20 mares later.”
While some operations specialize in one event or one bloodline, the DeLancey’s pride themselves on producing horses with broad skill sets and sound minds.
“We like to raise all-around horses,” said Cindy. “Not everyone can afford a six-figure barrel horse and a six-figure rope horse. We want horses that the wife can take to the barrel race on Friday night, and the husband can go rope on Saturday. Versatility is the priority.”
This philosophy has paid off. Their stallions, including He’s a Fiery Fling, Fiesta’s Dynasty, Tresseis Royal Fame, and This Fame’s On Fire, are enrolled in major incentives like Pink Buckle, Riata Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Royal Crown, and the Breeders Challenge. But Cindy is quick to clarify: their program isn’t just about winning checks.
“We don’t futurity our horses until they’re five,” she said. “That’s not to judge anyone else. We just like to give them time. Our horses learn to trail cattle, drag calves to the fire, and be good using horses before they ever hit the arena.”
Raised with Love, Trained with Purpose
At the Rodeo Ranch, “Raised with Love” isn’t just a saying…it’s the way every horse is brought up, from hitting the ground to the very first ride. Visitors to the ranch often comment on how friendly and trainable their horses are.
“We hear it all the time,” Cindy said. “‘Your horses meet you at the gate. They’re kind. They’re gentle.’ And we believe that when you raise horses with love, they give you more in return.”
That intentionality carries through every phase of their program. Each foal’s future is considered early, with training paths developed based on the individual’s strengths, not forced expectations.
“We’ve had horses we thought would be great head horses that ended up loving the barrels instead,” Cindy laughed. “We try to expose them to everything and let them tell us what they enjoy.”
The same philosophy led to the creation of Cowboy State Equine, their stallion station located on the ranch in Cheyenne. There, they now stand eight stallions and ship semen across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. They’ve worked closely with Colorado State University for two decades to build a state-of-the-art program that’s both horse- and customer-friendly.
Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future
The Rodeo Ranch occupies what was formerly a Wyoming Centennial Ranch—land held by the same family for over 100 years. Becoming the first outside owners was not something the DeLancey’s took lightly.
“To carry on that kind of legacy is deeply meaningful,” Cindy said. “We’re a working family, and we wanted a working ranch.”
That work doesn’t stop with horses. The ranch also raises alfalfa and Corriente cattle that are used in their own team roping jackpots and later processed into locally sourced beef, which they sell through their on-site liquor store and bar, Hell on Wheels Package Liquor.
“It’s all part of a closed-loop system,” Cindy explained. “The steers get used for roping. The heifers go back into the herd. The meat is sold to people who want to know where their food comes from.”
Beyond their breeding program, the cattle, the stallion station, and their own liquor store, The DeLancey’s also produce open rodeos through their company, Hell on Wheels Rodeo Company LLC, summer jackpots, and winter bronc futurities. “We love having people out at the ranch,” Cindy said. “Whether it’s to rope, watch a rodeo, or just visit. It’s about building community.”
A Life That Looks Like a Dream
Though Cindy works full-time as a lawyer, her heart is on the ranch, and the life she’s built alongside her husband and children reflects a dream fully realized.
She and Dave met when Cindy moved west from Long Island, New York, to attend law school at the University of Wyoming. She bought a horse from him and ended up marrying the cowboy who sold it to her!
“Still have the horse. Still have the cowboy,” she said with a smile. “Twenty-four years later.”
Their daughter, Raegen, now a rodeo athlete at the University of Wyoming, competes in nearly every event and is poised to take the reins of the horse and ranching side of the business. Their son is expected to step into the hospitality side. It’s a true family affair, designed for longevity.
Looking Ahead
What does the future look like for Rodeo Ranch? Cindy’s vision is clear—continue raising versatile, well-minded horses, expand their stallion offerings, and build a legacy their children will be proud to carry forward. They’re currently adding sale-fitting capabilities, eyeing young stallion prospects, and constantly working to improve every aspect of their program.
“Every foal we raise, every event we host, every bale of hay we feed, it’s all part of something bigger,” Cindy said. “It’s about building something that lasts, something that matters.”
For those looking to buy a horse from Rodeo Ranch, Cindy assures you’ll get more than just a pedigree. “You’re getting a horse that’s been raised with purpose, trained with heart, and loved every step of the way.”
And if you take a page from the DeLancey’s playbook, you just might discover that with heart, hard work, and a little faith, the life you dream of is never too far out of reach.
