We Wish You A Merry Christmas & God Bless Us All !!! May You Enjoy The Blessings Of Family & Friends This Christmas & Always From All Of Us At Cowleys Rafter Six Ranch! Give The Gift Of Summer ~ Purchase A Gift Letter & Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today For The 2025 Horseback Riding Season at Cowleys Rafter Six^® Ranch!

The 2025 Horseback Riding Season Is Just Around The Corner... This Christmas Give The Gift Of Summer To Your Loved Ones ~ It's The Perfect Stocking Stuffer!!! We'll Help You To Purchase Your Gift Letter & Reserve A Great Horseback Riding Adventure For The 2025 Horseback Riding Season By Contacting Us At Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!!! There's Nothing Like The Anticipation of Getting Back In The Saddle Again In The Great Outdoors Horseback Riding In The Spring & Summer or Autumn In The Spectacular Canadian Rockies at The Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!!! We Look Forward To Seeing Y'all Next Year in 2025!!!

Canadian Patriot & Physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote this epic poem during the First World War after a friend and fellow soldier died and a funeral was held that he resided over. The poem, "In Flanders Field", has resounded with Canadians and has caught the attention of people worldwide for the imagery and emotion he evocatively painted with words for us all to see our common humanity. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8, 1915 in the London magazine Punch. Sadly in 1918, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae also lost his life due to the effects of the Great War. May We Always Remember and Honour The Memory of All Canadian, American, English, Irish, Scottish & Commonwealth Soldiers Who Have Sacrificed So Much For Our Freedoms. May They All Rest In Peace.

It Really Is A Pleasure To Have Served You & Shared Our Love of Horses With So Many Vibrant Folks From Around The World!!! Many Thanks & Blessings To All of You, Our Great Customers, Who Came & Rode With Us This Past Year In The Spectacular Canadian Rockies at The Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!!! We Look Forward To Seeing Y'all Next Year in 2024!!!

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Stan was the second of five boys; David, Stan, Warren, Norman and Ray, to Annie and Norman Cowley. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Gloria and children, Cathy (Woody), David (Alanna), Thomas, Kateri (Leroy), Daisy (James) as well as his beloved grandchildren, adopted family, and many loyal friends.

The charismatic character of Stan Cowley was legendary. He had the ability to build and create endless possibilities with people and places. We always remarked on how, no matter where in the world he was, he had friends - and if he didn’t, he would make them.

With such a diverse background of life works, such as Golden Gloves boxer; avid sailor; draftsman with B.A./Gulf Oil; art instructor at Alberta College of Art SAIT; designer and realtor with his brother Dave of Cowley and Keith; actor and director; artist and illustrator of children’s books, magazines, etc.; president or director of many community organizations; Alberta marriage commissioner; auxiliary RCMP; founding director of Buffalo Nations and more… He received medals and recognition in most of his endeavours.

When Stan was a young boy, he grew a passion for the cowboy lifestyle with the Calgary Stampede and his friends from the Indian Village. He was just 13 years old when he became Blood Brother to Chief Walking Buffalo in a Sundance Ceremony, and throughout his life became an Honorary Chief of the 5 tribes of Treaty 7. The vision given to him was “to teach the people that they were like the trees of the forest, all different, but standing in harmony with one another”. His dream was always to create a Native Cultural Park in the Bow Valley, and when he first arrived at Rafter Six Ranch, the realtor in him knew he had found the best location there.

His love of the cowboy lifestyle was certainly reflected in his long-time participation with the Calgary Stampede. His involvement included having a wagon in the Chuckwagon races, being a volunteer and eight decades of parade participation, including a wagon pack trip from Rafter Six Ranch to the Calgary Stampede in 2012 for the 100th anniversary.

It was at Rafter Six Ranch where Stan had the opportunity to really grow into an Alberta Icon. He was always willing to share his stories, laughter, and love for people through his “Passing of the Legends” Museum or even at the coffee shop. Along with his family, Stan shared their genuine hospitality and passion for Alberta tourism in the most natural ways.

Stan was well respected and greatly loved by old time pals and newcomers alike. He was a gatherer of people, and always took time to share his stories and dreams with all who came. He always would try to make those people a part of it. His reach was far and wide and truly welcoming and generous. A life lesson he taught was “if you have something special, share it and it will grow”.

He shared everything. He saved up all his money and bought his first car, to give to his father. He built Rafter Six Ranch Resort to share his vision and beloved family with the world. Proud of each member, he made sure that before he parted, he shared his best gift – his unconditional love.

Please consider donating to Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff, Alberta as Stan was instrumental in forming the Buffalo Nations Cultural Society and its role in attaining this museum.

Special Thanks to The Calgary Stampede Family & especially Rock Spence & The Stampede Caravan Committee, Todd Nakamura Mike Werbisky ~ Horsedrawn Hearse, Russ & Wendy Reynolds ~ Bow River Funeral Service & All Who Shared Stan’s Journey.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!!! It's A Long Weekend So Come Ride With Us This Fall In The Spectacular Canadian Rockies at The Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!!!

Nothing Says Autumn Awesome Like A Great Photo That Speaks 1000 Words Or More To Your Soul! Come Ride With Us This Fall In The Spectacular Canadian Rockies at The Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!!!

This Was Our View From The Authentic 1880's Concord Stagecoach in The 2019 Cochrane Labour Day Parade ~ Monday Sept 2nd, 2019! We Actually Brought Home The Bacon With The "Best Corporate Float" in this Classic Canadian Foothill Town's Annual Parade! With 80 floats, this was the longest parade Cochrane has ever seen! Leading our entry was Rafter Six Ranch Owner Stan Cowley & Blackfoot Nation Elder Kelly Good Eagle!

Photo above by Warren Harbeck

Book Your Horseback Ride Early For The Spetember Labour Day Long Weekend!
The Long Weekend Begins Friday August 30th through Saturday August 31st, Sunday September 1st & Monday September 2nd, 2024!

Book Early For The Busiest Long Weekend of The Year ~ Civic Day ~ August Long Weekend!
The Long Weekend Begins Friday August 2nd through Saturday August 3rd, Sunday August 4th & Monday August 5th, 2024!

We Are Open For Horseback Riding Friday July 5, 2024!

Come Join Us! Get Outside & Enjoy The Beautiful Days of Summer Horseback Riding This 2023 Season! Breathe In All That Open Space & Feel That Freedom On Your Face! Come Ride With Us ~ Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today at Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!

Happy Canada Day ~ Saturday July 1st, 2024! Come Celebrate Canada's 157 Years of Confederation The Olde Fashioned Way ~ With A Horseback Ride The Same Way The Pioneers Travelled Daily By! The Best Way To Remember History Is To Re-Live It!!

1st Day of Sweet Summer! Summers Here With Almost 18 Hours of Daylight, So Get Outside & Enjoy The Beautiful Long Days of Sunshine & Summer Time! Breathe In All That Open Space & Feel That Freedom On Your Face! Come Ride With Us ~ Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today at Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch!

Happy Father's Day ~ Sunday June 16th, 2024! Bring Out The John Wayne In Your Dad By Treating Him To A Family Horseback Ride With Us At Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch! Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today! God Bless All Of Our Dear Fathers Everywhere Around The World! Thank You Fathers, Dad's, Daddy's, Pop's, Papa's, Pappy, Grandpas, Grandad's, Gramp's Everywhere!!!! You Are Much Loved & Appreciated Beyond Words!!

It's the May Long Weekend 2024! It's Time To Get Outside In The Great Outdoors After A Long Winter, So Come & Ride With Us At Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch! Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today!

Happy Mother's Day ~ Sunday May 12th, 2024! Bring Out The Annie Oakley In Your Mom By Treating Her To A Family Horseback Ride & A Picnic With Us At Cowley's Rafter Six^® Ranch! Reserve Your Horseback Ride Today! God Bless All Of Our Dear Mothers Everywhere Around The World! Thank You Mom's, Mama's, Mothers, Grandmothers, Grandma's, Gramm's Everywhere!!!! You Are Much Loved & Appreciated Beyond Words!!

The Flower of Kindness ~ By Jean Kyler McManus

When we give away a Flower
it's fragrance stays behind
Like a special little "Thank You"
for doing something kind.
In fact, the sweetest things of all
that bring us joy each day
Are not the ones we try to keep
but those we give away.

Welcome Y'all To Cowley's World Famous Rafter Six^® Ranch ~ May 1st, 2024!
The Trail Riding Specialists of The Canadian Rockies!

Spring Is In The Fresh Mountain Air, The Horses Are Back & Ready To Carry You & Your Family & Friends On A Great Canadian Horseback Riding Adventure!

Come On In We're Open Today & Daily May 1, 2024 Thru October 31, 2024!

Just A Little Fun For Everyone ~ April 21, 2024! Watch A Cool Little Rafter Six^® Video
That Utilizes Everyday Ranch Tools & Items for Numbers! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
Come On In We're OPEN May 1, 2024 At Cowley's World Famous Rafter Six^® Ranch!