CEDAR CREEK CATTLE COMPANY

The Cedar Creek Cattle Company is a working ranch of about 200 acres. It is also the home of New Beginnings Youth Ranch, a 501c3 not for profit organization.

Easily located halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, in Clarkrange Tennessee, Cedar Creek Cattle Company is just about in the middle of the state, located off Tn. State Rt. 127 at the top of the Cumberland Plateau in Fentress County, about thirty miles south of the Kentucky state line and about twenty eight miles north of Interstate 40.

Located in the Cumberland Mountains, in what is known as "Middle Tennessee", Fentress County offers some of the very best horseback riding that the state has to offer. With extremely varied terrain, this centrally located area has a wonderful year round climate and is perfect for trail riders. Several large state parks and many privately owned horse camps can be found within a one hours drive from the ranch.

The Ranch History

Several years ago Cedar Creek acttle Company started out strictly as a cattle breeding facility. With owner operators Mike and JoAann Archambault moving their family and Mikes mother Joan Roberts along with the best of their herd of Black Angus cattle here from North Carolina.

With the ensuing purchase of what was to become known as Cedar Creek Cattle Company, it being a considerably larger acreage than they had previously owned in North Carolina. Came the addition of more cattle, hence more fences, pastures, timber and water sources to check and generally more maintenence than they had known before.

The Archambault family suddenly found itself in need of a few horses to more easily maintain the ranch and it's four legged occupants. Wanting to remain true to the ranching industry, they decided that The American Quarter Horse was the most logical choice for ranch and cattle work. So after doing some research on bloodlines and deciding what they really needed from a ranch horse, Mike and Joan purchased some saddle horses, broodmares and a young stallion prospect. They began a small horse breeding program to keep the ranch supplied with good tempered, easy to train horses with a background of performance bloodlines and lots of "cow sense". That small foundation herd still call the ranch home, and nearly all of them have been under saddle for several years now.

After several years of cattle ranching, the Archambaults decided that they wanted to change directions and focus more on trail riding with the ranches horses. The cattle operation got smaller and the horse training and trail riding that Mike had started doing, was so enjoyable to him that he wanted to share this opportunity and the beauty of the locale with visitors and also a very special group of people. Troubled youth from all over the world have come to the ranch to work with the horses in Cedar Creeks, New Beginnings Youth Ranch program.

In 2007 owner operators Mike and JoAnn decided to open the ranch to fulfill a new dream and open the ranch to guests. Since then, the ranch has put its foundation herd of horses and their offspring to work as rental horses. They are the main suppliers of rented and or leased horses in Middle Tennessee, focusing most of their attention towards East Fork Stables and Big South Fork State Park. You can rent a horse by the hour or by the day and with or without a guide.

RANCH ACTIVITIES

Mr. Dwight Laster, is the head wrangler at Cedar Creek Cattle Company. Dwight is an experienced trail guide, and he specializes in matching the right horse to the right rider. Always making sure that the riders are comfortable and relaxed. He gives a free basic horsemanship lesson to green riders and helps the "newbie" to be able to feel comforable while on the back of one of the ranches trusty steeds. Together with Tomas and Julio the ranches other wranglers, you are sure to have an enjoyable and safe trail ride.

If you decide that you want to take a day off and not leave the ranch, there are plenty of trails right here on the property and adjoining acres. You can pack a lunch in a saddlebag and head out into the gorgeous trails in the back of the ranch. Find yourself a spot on the banks of one of the creeks that criss cross the ranch, sit down and have a snack in complete seclusion. Surrounded by the sounds of the water and all of God's creatures. There is nothing better for your soul.

If trail riding is not on your agenda, on any given day you can saddle up and just go out and move the cattle around, find out what it's like to work a cow, see if you have the skill to put it where you want it. Or if arena work is your forte', there is a 120 x 200 foot outdoor ring. You can use that to practice a barrel racing or pole bending pattern.

Or perhaps you want to aim your tastes at a sport that requires a bit more practice. Cedar Creek offers lessons on Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Using one of the ranches skilled shooting horses, you can try your hand at mounted shooting. Loaded with .45 caliber blanks, you carry two six shooters in your holsters and see how fast you can run a sanctioned pattern while aiming and shooting a series of 10 balloons.

RANCH LODGING

The ranch also offers over night lodging for you and or your horses. Whether you are staying for a few days or you just need a place to stay overnight. Cedar Creek can easily accommodate your needs.

There are several different options for you to choose from. Starting with a beautiful three bedroom, two bath home with a fireplace and it's own barn and large private pasture, all the way to a shepherds wagon built for two with a pole corral way out in the woods, or even a fabulous Indian Tipi that sleeps eight.

GUEST HOUSE

Come and stay at the wonderful guest house. Sitting up high on the ranch it has a great view off the back deck overlooking several pastures full of horses and cattle. Located well off the main road where the only sounds that you hear are the hummingbirds and songbirds that abound or the soft nickering of the horses.

The guest house is fully outfitted with linens, cookware, and beautifully furnished. The immaculate three bedroom, two bath home has a fireplace, a romantic master suite. And a large back deck where you can sit in the mornings and just watch the horses play.

SHEPHERDS WAGON

For the more adventurous, there is a Shepherds Wagon out in the woods. For those of you that do not know what a shepherds wagon is, it is a four wheeled wagon somewhat resembling the Conestoga wagon of the American plains. It is usually horse drawn and they are used out west to this day to house the shepherd while he is out on the pastures guarding his flocks of sheep.

Located in a shady grove of trees, and well away and out of sight from all other ranch buildings, it sleeps two comfortably and has microwave oven, heat and air conditioning. Being out in the woods it has an old fashioned pit toilet. The wagon has it's own pole corral and is very private and cozy. Fresh water is delivered for your horses daily.

TIPI

If you have a larger group or you just like more space, there is a real Indian tipi. It is also located out in the woods. It sleeps eight and is heated by a gas log fire system. It also has a pole corral for your ponies and fresh water is delivered daily. It has a pit toilet.

CONCIERGE SERVICE

Cedar Creek Cattle Company also offers a concierge service to and from Nashville or Knoxville airports. You can book your vacation and be picked up by one of the ranch staff and brought straight back to the ranch to begin you horse back vacation as soon as you arrive and get settled in .

For more information on Cedar Creek Cattle Company or New Beginnings Youth Ranch

 www.CedarCreekCattleCompany.com

www.NewBeginningsYouthRanch.com

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