Sydney Knott, Founder “The Ranch, Las Vegas”
Who is Syd?
Meet Syd! She is the founder and visionary behind Horses4Heroes, a national non-profit and The Ranch Las Vegas. What started in her backyard is now an organization with over 300 affiliates in over 44 states. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is also a mother who raised three daughters with a passion for horses. Her family relocated to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in 1994 in the aftermath of the Northridge Earthquake. A proud USC Trojan alumna, she holds a degree in public relations and boasts over 45 years of experience in the field. Syd has been actively involved in Junior Leagues and is a sustainer of the Junior League of Las Vegas. With a deep understanding of philanthropy, she emphasizes the significance of giving back to the community. Syd is happily married to William Cunningham, a Vietnam Veteran.
We had a chance to sit down and chat with Syd - Here’s what she had to say…
How did H4H and The Ranch Las Vegas Come to Be?
“Horses4Heroes was born following 9/11. We wanted to say thank you to men and women in our community whose Call of Duty is to Protect, Serve, Teach and Heal. At the time, we had a small, one-acre ranch and a few horses of our own. We decided that the best way for us to say “Thank You” would be to open our ranch to these local heroes and their families. We also know that horses are expensive to ride, own and care for and my family wanted to create affordable opportunities for local heroes and their families to be able to experience the power of horses. Our focus is on Active Duty service members, Veterans, First Responders, Teachers and Healthcare Workers. Today, we have grown from a small backyard operation to leasing a 2.5-acre ranch, where we host school field trips, hold weekly family days, run outdoor camps throughout the year, book birthday parties and special events and conduct workshops for recovering addicts, survivors of domestic abuse, trauma and violence, Veterans and First Responders with PTSD, and at-risk youth and teens.” - Syd
Horses4Heroes and The Ranch Las Vegas
Syd and Will Meet Luke Bryan and are gifted tickets to Super Bowl LVIII
Horses4Heroes at The Ranch Las Vegas, is where every hoofbeat tells a story of empowerment, connection, community and western heritage. Since 2006, they’ve been dedicated to enriching lives through the transformative power of equine experiences. You’ll find affordable opportunities for children, teens, adults and seniors to interact with horses and farm animals, from riding to just hanging out. Because of their work with the H4H non-profit, they were awarded tickets to Super Bowl LVIII from Luke Bryan!
They also have added Farm Science classes, featuring The Coconut Crush, a local business that makes handcrafted bath and beauty products. When your family comes here, you can discover and connect with the community’s history. The Ranch Las Vegas is located in the middle of the historic Lone Mountain Rural Preservation Area, a wonderful community of homes, ranches, estates, a great place to live, raise a family or retire.
Syd’s Las Vegas Favorites :
“I love that we have so many opportunities to enjoy amateur and professional sports. From the UNLV Rebels, to Las Vegas Aviators, The Vegas Golden Knights to Raiders, whe are a sports mecca!
I’m not a fan of wind and rain, but I love the weather here in Las Vegas. I don’t even mind the Summer Heat.
Rancho Manor: We live in a Vintage, historic neighborhood, near downtown. I love our house and our neighborhood. There are many great, older neighborhoods throughout Las Vegas, hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
While I love that we have world-class dining here in Las Vegas, I cherish the Mom and Pops and we love giving them our business.
Mezzo Bistro for Italian
The Draft House for ribs
Pizza Guys on Tenaya.
So many great local restaurants, owned by locals!”
