Russell True is not only the owner of the White Stallion Ranch, which sits on 3,000 acres at the foot of the Tucson Mountains adjacent to the Saguaro National Park. He's part of the second generation of Trues to run the ranch, which dates back to the 1940's. So his observation that guests today don't just come to ride and relax is based on years in the business.

"They want to broaden their experiences," True reports. "In the old days, the kids would simply ride. Now they take a lot more lessons and learn riding skills. During our evening programs, it's not just cowboys around fire. Guests want to know history of cowboys around the fire. The same holds true with nature, ecology and history."

White Stallion offers classic horseback riding on great horses, as well as scores of scenic trails to explore. And it's a working cattle ranch. As guest ranches go, it's a large ranch, accommodating upwards of 75 guests. And while they hail from everywhere, True says that "if England were a state, it would rank number four after California, New York and Illinois."

"There are a couple of things that are somewhat unusual about the White Stallion," True adds. "Sure, we're an authentic cattle ranch on five square miles of Sonoran desert next to Saguaro National Park. But if you drive out the road, we're just five minutes from a Safeway. That's how Tucson has grown. So we have the conveniences of being very near to civilization."

Rooms at the ranch are southwestern style, ranging from small rooms for singles to deluxe suites. All rooms have air conditioning, private bath, and a tub/shower combination. Deluxe suites feature a fireplace, whirlpool tub and king?size bed. Whatever room you choose, the look that White Stallion strives for is "very upscale," True says. " In the past, it was enough for guest ranches to offer clean, well?maintained rooms. That's changed. Our guests are increasingly accustomed to comfortable amenities. They don't come expecting a Four Seasons but they do want really nice rooms."

A stay at the ranch offers you a chance to take a morning ride in the desert or up into the foothills. In the afternoon, you can mix it up with a slow ride, a fast ride or enjoy team cattle penning. Then there's the rodeo.

"We're rodeo people, my brother and I," True says. "We have a rodeo here and my brother, Michael True, is a pro rodeo star. It's a big part of our ranch. And we don't just hold a rodeo. We narrate our rodeo, and talk about the history and the current status of rodeo."

That said, the White Stallion Ranch also has a lot in common with upscale resorts.

"We have a new fitness center," True reports, "with equipment that any hotel would be proud to have. We have massage rooms and a sauna. And we have a sports court with full court volleyball and basketball. There's a tennis court, an indoor hot tub and a heated pool."

As for dining, True says that his guests are more demanding.

"Today they want whatever their diet requires and they're more inclined to demand that their special needs are met."

At the end of the day, everyone meets in the lodge for some social time and dinner. And those evening programs vary from country/western dance lessons to the nature programs and cowboy singers that have become an integral part of the White Stallion experience.

"They don't want a lecture or a three?credit course," True adds. "They want to leave with some life enhancing knowledge. And that's a good thing."