Thunderhorse Ranch was built by Jeff Deval and a handful of determined

friends and family. Deval arrived in Arizona on horseback...his ride was to take

him to Quintana Roo territory in the southern reaches of Mexico, but when he

encountered the White Mountains of Arizona, Mexico was long forgotten. His

entourage included his Arabian stallion Pohono, his two Arabian mares,

Kristamir and Whitefeather, and his dog Carlos.

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Before his expedition was over, he had ridden over 1,100 miles in every

kind of weather, camping in temperatures ranging from 16 below zero to 114°F.

Starting his journey from Paradise Valley, Nevada, near the Oregon border, he

traversed Nevada and Utah, stopping at remote ranches when he found himself

in need of supplies. He hunted for himself and Carlos, as his horses foraged on

wild Igrass. He crossed the narrow switchbacks of the Grand Canyon and

continued south into the village of Oak Creek to rest his horses at Verde Valley

School stables. The school asked him to stay and Jeffrey remained at the school

as a faculty member and advisor, teaching equestrian studies and guitar.

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After a trip to the White Mountains, Deval found himself pondering the

idea of his long envisioned dream; a wilderness camp for children. The setting

was ideal. After short deliberation, plans were in effect and the building of

Thunderhorse began. Thunderhorse Ranch was built with a specific purpose in

mind. The ranch was built during raging monsoons and amid heavy snowfall.

Access by motor vehicle was impossible without a road during the beginning

stages of construction, and much of the lumber and building supplies were

hauled in by horse and wagon, proving once again that the horse will always

prevail over machines.

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Thunderhorse Ranch was designed to provide an educational, funfilled

environment for visitors of all ages. The most rewarding aspects of this

beautiful ranch are found in our children. camps for the needy and less

fortunate. All of our children camps provide a sound reason for developing

academic skills. Through carpentry and wood working, your children will turn

math into a hobby. The study of horse breeds gives geography and world

history a new light. Children learn about cultures and continents in a way

never explored by most. Animal husbandry and forestry highlights the

importance of our earth's miraculous yet delicate ecosystem.

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In a world driven by television, fax machines, computers and cellular

phones, we at Thunderhorse Ranch have chosen a simpler path. All answers

can be found in nature. A search, if you will, for the important, yet simple,

natural things in life. Please be our guest and experience the beauty and

majesty of Thunderhorse Ranch.