A family-owned Colorado equestrian ranch creating a new legacy of excellence
The Smith family founded Frowning Cactus to combine their love of horses with their desire to live the western mountain ranch lifestyle. Their dream inspired the creation of a premier equestrian facility specializing in training young Hunter Jumpers in Colorado’s stunning Wet Mountain Valley.
Just two hours from Colorado Springs, Frowning Cactus boasts state of the art facilities. Ranch manager and head trainer Darian Smith works with prospects aged six months to four years, creating individualized training programs to optimize each horse’s full potential.
Training Champions
Darian Smith has a stellar competitive track record in equestrian sports. In 2018, she was the individual USHJA Zone 2 jumper champion. And in 2019, at the Devon Horse Show, Darian qualified in the High Adult Jumpers with Aymar De La Rose and won the five-year-old young jumpers with Just Special. She previously had a very successful junior and amateur career horse showing on the East Coast. Today she spends her time focusing on the growth and development of young jumpers.
Land that's close to the heart. But far from the ordinary.
Frowning Cactus showcases the best of Colorado’s jaw-dropping scenery — majestic mountain peaks, red-rock canyons and sun-kissed meadows. Packed full of things to do year-round, the territory offers adventure-seekers a world of recreation and sightseeing — with activities ranging from rafting on the Arkansas, one of the greatest rafting rivers in the country, to mountaineering, mountain biking and hiking, and fantastic wildlife photography.
