Chix in the Sticks

This is an all-inclusive vacation for women. We typically have guests from 8-10 states per event. The guests that attend have disposable income and are a higher caliber of client. To attend some of our sought after Chix in the Sticks events guests have to be a minimum of 50 years old. We host anywhere from 10-19 of these events each year and each event has 24 guests. This is our bread and butter event. Attendees often become forever clients, recommend us to their friends, and cross purchase from our other businesses. 

Here's what is included in a Chix in the Sticks event: Camping, stall, all meals, deluxe coffee bar, custom cheesecakes, massage, dinner out at Mrs. Mary Ella's home (Mennonite), shopping, craft, ride equine on the trails, in the covered arena, and on the obstacle course. 

We use the bubble gum machine for ice breaker giveaways (see below). 

Country Tough Trail Versatility (CT2V)

Not only does Von Holten Ranch  host this event but we also founded it in 2018. In 2026 we started allowing others to host it nationwide. We also picked up well recognized and respected ambassadors: Ken McNabb, Ty Evans, and Lee Hart. Ken McNabb projected that CT2V will be the next big competition association in the equine industry.

CT2V is a versatility competition that equally combines a ranch horsemanship pattern, obstacles without speed, and maneuvers on actual trail. In 2027, we will have three different in hand divisions and three different youth divisions. The goal of CT2V is to bring value to the trail horse and increase the safety of riders. We pull  competitors from the larges sector of the equine owners: trail riders. There are three levels of competition: local, state and national championship.

At Von Holten Ranch we have 90 stalls, 32 electric sites, and four cabins and for the Missouri State Championship series we had every stall, site, and cabin filled in less than 24 hours. We give out ribbon and prizes at each competition, and buckles at the overall championship. We use our bubble gum machine for photo challenge giveaways (see below). 

United States Mounted Archery (USMA)

 Mounted  archery is an up and coming sport in the United States. When I got started in mounted archery in 2017, the sport was not set up to celebrate or embrace beginners. It was also difficult to connect with other archers because of proximity. USMA fills that void.

USMA is a state tracking system that celebrates growth of a novice mounted archer. USMA carries a complete line of USMA leather products, has online classes and provides an achievable tracking system. In the tracking system archers must submit photos, videos or written answers to progress through the levels. 

In 2027, we will host a USMA competition at Von Holten Ranch, in addition to clinics based on their progress levels. And next year mounted archery will be part of the All Around Cowgirl Team Challenge. 

SMART CHIX

 This is an event that started in 2026 and has been ecstatically well received. It's an all-inclusive signature homesteading event, open to ten women per event. Each class has twelve topics and two instructors. Each season the topics change. The goal for 2027 is to have three different seasons with two classes per season (six total). Since this event is in a climate controlled venue, it reaches an audience beyond our equine audience. 

An example of topics covered include: bread-making, fermenting foods, food preservation in the form of freezing, pressure canning, and water bath canning, medicinal herbs, tallow, sewing, vanilla infusion, topical salve, business basics, and gardening for each season. 

Each person that attends gets an elaborate swag bag filled with samples that we make, a t-shirt, books that Brandy Von Holten has authored, and other printed materials. 

 This event is taught by Brandy (Biologist) and Mrs. Mary Ella (Mennonite) or other guest instructors. 

We also use the bubble gum machine for icebreakers. 

Horsemanship Clinics

Von Holten Ranch has hosted over 50 different world-renowned clinicians. Our longest returning clinician is 2025 Pro EXCA World Champion, Lee Hart. He teaches a double session clinic, over three days with each clinic having 12 participants. Most of his participants are competitive equestrian females. Lee Hart teaches our clinics in June and September.

Each year, we host a different clinician. In 2025 it was Buster McLaury, who is the head colt starter for the 6666. In 2026, it was Carl Bledsoe, who won the Humane Horseman of the year award for leading advocacy in ethical horsemanship. 

Brandy Von Holten hosts trail versatility and mounted archery clinics multiple times per year. There are two mini-clinics the day before each Country Tough Trail Versatility competition.

Every clinic at Von Holten Ranch is full. 

Event Facility with Trail

Von Holten Ranch is centrally located in the United States and in the same county as the Missouri State Fair. We host guests from all over the country and sometimes internationally.

We are the fourth generation to own the land (third generation to purchase it). The farm has been in the family since 1906.

We've won Missouri's Best Ranch for the last three years.

Between David Von Holten being a master woodworker and Brandy being a former Olympic hopeful fighter, biologist, and author, you are just not going to find anything like us anywhere else. Von Holten Ranch has been in operation since 2014. This is our 12th year. When we bought the farm in December of 2013, it had not been lived on since 1979. Everything here came from the sweat of our brow, the swing of our hammer, and the stroke of my keyboard. 

Physical structures include: 125X200 covered arena, 32 electric sites, four cabins, climate controlled guest shower house, climate controlled venue with occupancy for 200, 90 covered stalls, miles of scenic trail, permanent obstacle course, mounted archery course, cattle working pens, outdoor arena, two round pens, VHR equine barn with professional office, home gym, woodworking and mechanical shop, sawmill and kiln, two machine sheds, and our personal home. 

About Our Newsletter

Each month, we send out newsletters to our email subscribers. We have 2,872 active subscribers, with an average open rate of over 50%. Since January 2025, our email list has grown by 60%, and we expect this number to continue to increase. 

We send out newsletters not only for Von Holten Ranch, but also for CT2V and USMA. Our subscribers for both have doubled in the last six months. 

Here is a sample of what our newsletters look like.

Bubble Gum Giveaway 

At Von Holten Ranch, we use an antique bubblegum machine for icebreakers and giveaways. It’s the chance of winning that makes it fun!

This is a great low-cost way to get exposure for your products because each product is explained before we start having individuals come up. Each person then has a photo taken with their item, which is posted on social media.

The bubblegum machine is incorporated into all Von Holten Ranch events, such as Chix in the Sticks, SMART CHIX, Country Tough Trail Versatility, United States Mounted Archery, and clinics.

Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten Podcast

My podcast started in November 2020. It has been downloaded in all 50 states and 32 countries. It is a rotation of interviews with selected guests from the equine industry, motivational stories, or other business owners, and me, with a heartfelt topic or explanation. It can be found on every platform where a podcast can be downloaded. 

Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten has won Missouri's Best Podcast for the last three years.