Toolie and Gloria’s son Steven joined the operation upon college graduation in 1980, coming on as the Food and Beverage Director. Within five years, Steve earned the title of Director of Operations, and in the fall of 2001, Steve and his wife Shelley purchased the entire operation from his father and uncle. To this day, Steve and Shelley continue to make Rocking Horse one of America’s premier family destinations. Under their leadership, the Ranch earns outstanding reviews, awards, and has gone through a complete investment transformation, including upgrades and improvements such as Boulder Bay Heated Outdoor Pools And Waterslides, Eldorado Hot Springs, Big Splash Indoor Water Park (with signature 250 foot Gold Rush water flume), state-of-the-art snowmaking system, new ski lift, beautiful gardens, continual guest room renovations, and new dining facilities. New just this year is an upgraded Laser Tag experience. Lastly, of course, our anchor attraction, the horses! At nearly 120 strong, Rocking Horse is the largest year-round guest horse operation in America. As Steve loves to boast, our barn is “Home to the Greatest Herd in the World!”
Sadly, after 45 years of dedicating his life to Rocking Horse Ranch, Toolie passed away in the spring of 2002. Gloria remains active as ever, riding and feeding the horses and greeting families daily. The guest list at Rocking Horse now includes the children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren of the very first families Toolie and Gloria greeted. Memorial Day Weekend 2023 marked Rocking Horse’s 65th Anniversary.
Over the past sixty-five years, the Turk Family has devoted themselves to serving guests, and both Steve and Shelley look forward to hosting your family’s next big adventure right here at the Ranch.