The Rancho Bosque Team

Rancho Bosque prides itself of having the brightest, most engaging, and professional staff possible. Our course directors, trainers, and senior staff all have decades of personal and professional success before coming to the RB. Our ranch hands are horsemen who take great pride in the grounds, and horses.

Allan J. Hamilton, MD

Allan is the President of Rancho Bosque LLC. Allan's grandfather was an avid horseman and Austrian cavalry officer who had many opportunities to ride and train with the famous Viennese Spanish Riding School housed in the Hapsburg palace in Vienna. Allan thus acquired an interest in horses at a very early age. During his undergraduate years in college, Allan taught horseback riding at summer camp. Allan graduated from Harvard Medical School and then went on to complete his Neurosurgical Residency in Boston. He is currently a Professor of Surgery, Radiation Oncology and Psychology at the University of Arizona. He is considered one of the nation's leading experts on brain tumors as well as the applications of computers in training medical students and residents in the surgical disciplines.

Allan has developed horsemanship programs for troubled kids through VisionQuest Inc, cancer support programs with equine-assisted therapy for adults and children, and unique equine programs for industry and healthcare. His work as a horseman has been featured in Western Horseman, Equus, Practical Horseman as well as on PBS, CNN, and NBC television. Allan's book "The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope" published by Tracher/Penguin Books, tells the stories behind remarkable patients and strange events, and shares the moral and spiritual lessons found in them.

Jane F. Hamilton, PhD

After completing her Ph.D. in Psychology from Boston College, Jane completed a year's clinical internship at Boston Childrens' Hospital. She obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Harvard and Bachelor's Degree from Kirkland College. She has an active clinical practice in Psychology in Tucson and has been a consultant for programs for at risk youth. She is certified for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and focuses her talents on the emotional and psychological aspects of the EAP programs that are run by Rancho Bosque. She also oversees much of the environmental and ecological programs run at the ranch.

Lex Deines

Lex is the Ranch Manager and Head Trainer at Rancho Bosque. Lex was brought up on working cattle and horse ranches in Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. Lex is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America and still actively competes in Team Roping competitions. Lex has had extensive experience overseeing horse and cattle operations and showing horses in AQHA Performance, Western Pleasure, Barrel Racing and Reining and Cutting events. Lex personally oversees the training of all the ranch horses and especially enjoys starting our foals and working on our roping horses.

Carol Shaughnessy-Quinn

Carol is the office manager of Rancho Bosque. Originally from Boston (and still an avid Red Sox fan), she uses her varied skills and knowledge to help the ranch’s business operations run smoothly. She is a competitive bodybuilder and has been weight training since she was nineteen. She is involved with a local animal rescue organization and enjoys being around the animals at the ranch.

Samantha Biffar

Samantha Biffar is our Head Equine Instructor and Trainer at Rancho Bosque. With a lifetime experience with horses, Samantha had a full rodeo scholarship to Cal State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. Shortly after graduation, she became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, where she actively competes in the Barrel Racing event. She then began a large Riding Lesson Academy, Girl Scout Horsemanship Badge Program, and a horse training facility. She is known for her work with non-profit organizations working with at-risk youth using Equine Assisted Therapy. As a recent transplant to Tucson, Samantha is currently taking on lesson students and horses for training. Western and English riders are welcome. Beginners, novice and advanced riders will experience a riding center of excellence when coming to Rancho Bosque.

Learn more about riding lessons.