Rising Circle Ranch Camp: Horses, Land, & the Wisdom of Place

Before joining MEA, Daniel “DL” Landes spent decades as a restauranteur, author, and publisher. As the owner of multiple restaurants in Denver, CO – and then a hostel in Mexico – he dedicated himself to creating environments where people could work out their humanity while eating and drinking (which is why he fits in so well at MEA).

Now relocated to Santa Fe, DL says that “living in the Galisteo Basin impresses a unique and humbling perspective. Under the expansive, enchanted New Mexican sky I can feel so small and so big. I made a career of kicking up dust; living in the storm until the storm lived in me. When the dust settled two guideposts appeared: Spend more nights under the stars; provide a service.” 

You will appreciate his dedication to creating memorable experiences during your time in Santa Fe.

Chuck Aranda is a true son of Santa Fe, born and raised on the same land his family helped build a life on. His roots trace back to one of the first plumbing families in the area, and he carries that legacy with pride, keeping alive the stories, traditions, and spirit of Northern New Mexico.

Around a fire or on horseback, Chuck has a way of bringing the land to life – an old soul, a natural storyteller, and someone who makes you feel the history beneath your boots.

He’s the kind of cowboy every ranch hopes for: one who shows up early, stays late, and never needs to be asked twice. Whether he’s saddling horses at dawn, fixing what’s broken, or riding out across the land, he does it with grit, humility, and heart.

Chuck’s horsemanship is steady and calm. He understands horses through feel, patience, and time in the saddle, and he’s guided countless guests through their very first ride – meeting them where they are, easing fears, and building confidence step by step. Guests often leave not just having ridden a horse, but having felt something real.

He doesn’t seek the spotlight, but he’s the steady hand behind much of what makes the ranch run. Chuck embodies what a cowboy truly is: hardworking, honest, deeply connected to the land, and always willing to give more than he takes. In this workshop, you’ll feel that grounded presence every time you ride with him or share a story by the fire.

Brad is a lifelong horseman whose roots run deep in the traditions of the American West. Raised on a working ranch, he was horseback as soon as he could walk, learning the craft and responsibility of ranch life alongside his father.

He went on to become a successful bull and bronc rider and has competed at the highest levels of ranch rodeo, qualifying for the World Finals 19 times with various teams – proof of his grit and remarkable consistency. Brad is widely respected across New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas as an exceptional Quarter Horse trainer, especially in cutting horses and reining cow horses. He’s known for his rare ability with young horses and is considered one of the region’s top two‑year‑old colt starters.

Beyond starting colts, Brad has the patience and skill to develop them into finished, competitive show horses. His performance career includes premier NRCHA competitions, including The Run for a Million, a testament to his high‑level horsemanship. For the past decade, he served as a lead horse trainer and working cowboy at Singleton Ranches, home to award‑winning Quarter Horses, where he helped shape both the horse program and daily ranch operations.

At MEA’s Rising Circle Ranch, Brad brings this wealth of real‑world knowledge and authenticity to everything he leads. He’s instrumental in developing the horse and cattle operations and has expanded the guest experience with a team of Percheron carriage horses. For workshop guests, Brad offers a rare opportunity to learn from a true working cowboy – someone whose life has been shaped by horses, hard work, and a deep respect for the land.

Christian Talamantes is a modern‑day cowboy whose work is rooted as much in the land as it is in the horse. Based in the Galisteo Basin of northern New Mexico, he brings a rare blend of science, stewardship, and traditional ranch skills to everything he does.

With a background in biology and decades of hands‑on experience, Christian is a true land steward – reading the ground, the grasses, and the animals as one connected system. His work spans holistic range management, vegetation analysis, and regenerative practices, with a deep understanding of how cattle, sheep, and goats can help restore and revitalize the land.

At Rising Circle Ranch, Christian leads regenerative grazing efforts, shaping a program that brings life back to the soil through thoughtful animal impact and careful observation. His approach blends science with instinct, combining formal training with years spent working the land.

Alongside his stewardship, Christian is an accomplished horseman and working farrier. He has spent decades shoeing and caring for horses on working ranches and training horses for real‑world ranch and backcountry use. His horsemanship is quiet, capable, and deeply respectful – built on understanding rather than force.

A lifelong artist, he spent nine years touring with his band and now brings music into the ranch experience at MEA. Whether playing at special events or around a fire, his music adds a layer of connection and authenticity that can’t be faked. Christian represents a rare kind of presence where cowboy tradition, ecological awareness, and creative spirit come together.