Emma Fuerbringer’s journey to ranch life in Canada wasn’t a straight line. Originally from the UK, she trained in law and fully expected to remain in England. But a twist of fate during her travels brought her to Western Canada, where she met her husband Peter. What started as a brief North American adventure turned into a 26-year love story with Alberta’s sweeping landscapes and tight-knit communities as the backdrop.
Although Bluerock Ranch has only been in operation for two and a half years, the dream behind it has been long in the making. Emma and her family spent the early years of their life in Alberta, but it wasn’t until a move to Vancouver Island that their rural lifestyle – with horses at its center – truly took shape.
What began as a family saying – “Is this a hill to die on?” – evolved into a powerful value system. The phrase, once used to keep day-to-day drama in check, took on new significance when the Fuerbringer daughters declared their own hill to die on: the chance to own and care for horses during their formative teenage years. That pivotal moment became the catalyst for a new chapter.
Rather than simply granting the wish, Emma and Peter gave their daughters a budget, using it as a teaching tool to instill financial responsibility, communication skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. This practical life lesson laid the groundwork for something bigger.
Over time, their equestrian lifestyle deepened, and as the girls grew, so did the family’s vision. Eventually, the call of Alberta’s foothills became impossible to ignore. Emma and Peter began searching for land with a view of the Rockies – somewhere that could offer not just space for trail riding, but a place to anchor their values. Today, Bluerock Ranch is more than a home; it’s a carefully cultivated legacy. With its blend of horsemanship, Airbnb hosting, and an intern program, the ranch is becoming a gathering place that celebrates the Western lifestyle in a way that’s intentional, inclusive, and deeply rooted in stewardship.
At the heart of Emma’s approach to life – and to Bluerock Ranch – is a deep belief in the power of a growth mindset. Rather than waiting to “have it all figured out,” Emma embraces the idea that learning is lifelong, and progress is built not on perfection, but on persistence.
This attitude infuses every corner of the ranch. Whether it’s building new systems, deepening their horsemanship philosophy, or growing their community impact, Emma and her family lead with curiosity. Mistakes aren’t setbacks – they’re stepping stones.
It’s clear that what started as the simple idea of an intern program has grown into something far more meaningful – for both the interns and the ranch itself.
The original idea was to invite young travellers to live and work on the ranch in exchange for hands-on experience with horses, and while Emma and Pete had imagined a mutually beneficial exchange, they hadn’t fully anticipated how transformational it would become.
The program has now expanded – both in scale and in scope. After Pete posted a simple job listing early in the year, over 500 applicants poured in from around the world, including university students in Europe seeking internships as part of agricultural degree programs.
And the future of the program? Emma sees it extending far beyond the ranch gates. There are dreams of interns helping local cattle ranchers monitor predator interactions, supporting conservation efforts on horseback, and contributing to a larger ecological vision.
With plans for more accommodations, a growing breeding program, and perhaps even returning alumni, Bluerock Ranch is proving that with enough heart and a little flexibility, you can build something far bigger than you imagined.
You can find Emma on instagram here and Bluerock Ranch website here.