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Eye on a Verde Valley Hidden Jackpot

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Shortie Graham with Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisperer

Sedona AZ (July 31, 2014) – For over 10 years, “Shortie” Graham has been the face behind the picturesque 72-acre grounds of Shuster Foundation’s Jackpot Ranch. A best kept secret of Verde Valley, Shortie and Jackpot Ranch have hosted dozens of youth nonprofit organizations, including Teen Challenge, Youth at Risk and New Pathways for Youth. The Camp Verde, Arizona, ranch was established for the purpose of providing medically challenged, homeless and at-risk youth the unique opportunity to experience camp, and its joys of nature. Paddle boating, catch and release fishing, pond swimming, and hay rides to a three story tree house are regular weekend staples.

Shortie, with the assistance of a reliable and trusted helper, maintains Jackpot Ranch’s green pastures, flowing fountains, beautiful ponds, a thirteen bedroom state of the art bunkhouse, full covered arena, and much more. A true horsewoman, she has studied with several world renowned horse clinicians and trainers including more recently, Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisperer, whose ground breaking discovery of Equus (the language of the horse) was portrayed on film by actor Robert Redford. The tranquil peace of Jackpot and the reward of hosting youth organizations make Shortie’s 16 hour work days, in her words, “a blessing.”

Jackpot Ranch

Jackpot Ranch Corporate Hoe-Down

Enter Jackpot Ranch stage left, Deb Allenbaugh, hired by Shuster Foundation after the 2008 economic recession. Her position was created to market the Arizona ranch in order to generate enough income to off-set its maintenance and improvement expenses. Enter Jackpot Ranch stage right, brides and weddings, families and reunions, parties, and fun seasonal festivities scheduled through 2015.

A few months ago, Shortie and Deb were given an opportunity to join forces which resulted in the creation of Arizona Equestrian Connection at Jackpot Ranch (AEC). AEC is a culmination of Shortie’s lifelong love of horses and desire to share natural horsemanship with others, and Deb’s love of inspiring accounts of young lives transformed through camp experiences. It is a partnership of two women investing and believing in opportunities for lifelong change.

Mini-horse cart rides, old fashioned pony rides, homemade ice cream, water balloon fights, taffy pulls, gunny sack races and goat milking have been added to Jackpot Ranch’s regular weekend activities. The ranch offers good ‘ole fashioned fun and nostalgic Americana activities to local families and groups, tourists visiting the Verde Valley, and the general public.

aec logoReaching out to corporations, the Jackpot Ranch facility offers unique, fun, team-building adventures and corporate events using teepees, equestrian arena challenges, nature, and the Verde ‘hoe-down’ backdrop, from one day to a week. Doing what they do best, AEC and Shuster Foundation are committed to creating a place for everyone to experience the majestic beauty of the Verde Valley, the tranquil ‘awe’ of Jackpot Ranch and generate income needed to off-set the expense of hosting camp for underprivileged children and at-risk youth.

For more information, contact the Shuster Foundation and AEC Events and Marketing office at 602-446-3120.

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

3 Comments

  1. Tommy says:

    used to know about this place then it fell off the radar/ liked knowing it’s out there.

    luck with the kids camp maybe camp soaring eagle oughtta check it out?

  2. Gina Perkins says:

    Camp Verde is overlooked by tourists. Come to town and check it out.

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