Kota Aranda
Team Role:
Master Horseman - Equine Performance Coach - Trail Experience Curator
Kota Aranda is a multidisciplinary media professional and equine operations specialist with a career spanning high-level film and television production, youth development, and equine care.
A graduate of the University of West Georgia, Kota earned a B.S. in Mass Communications with a concentration in Film and Video Production, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and holds production certification from the Georgia Film Academy.
Kota is a roster member of the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund and an active Camera Assistant with the International Cinematographers Guild (Local 600), with extensive experience supporting major studio productions across film and television. His credits include Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Doom Patrol, Cobra Kai, Blue Beetle, P-Valley, Sweet Magnolias, and projects for Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV+, AMC, BET+, and ABC. He has also worked as a Camera and Lens Technician with leading production and rental organizations.
In addition to his work in media production, Kota brings strong experience in equine care, barn operations, and safety management, including horse health monitoring and adherence to rigorous safety protocols. He also served as a Youth Development Coordinator with A.C.E. Saddle Club, mentoring and coaching young riders as they prepared for regional rodeo competitions—supporting leadership development, discipline, and confidence through experiential learning.
My Why
Being around horses gives me a sense of peace. I like to stay busy and work with purpose, and ranch work gives me both.
The day-to-day responsibility of caring for horses, maintaining the space, and staying present in what needs to be done feels natural to me. It’s work that requires awareness, consistency, and respect—which aligns closely with my values.
As a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa (Ojibwe) tribe, connection to land, animals, and meaningful contribution matters deeply to me. Horses don’t respond to ego or noise—they respond to how you show up. Working with them reinforces balance, responsibility, and trust, not just with animals, but with people and community.
Being part of this work isn’t just something I enjoy. It’s where I feel aligned—and where I can be a creative, a businessman, a community leader, and a horseman.
My Favorite Thing About Rogue Reins Ranch
What I love about Rogue Reins Ranch is that I get to spend my days working with horses and never feel boxed into one way of doing things.
The work keeps me engaged, gives me room to think and create, and lets me use a wide range of skills instead of repeating the same routine. Every day brings something different, which I genuinely enjoy.
The flexibility, the people, and the openness to doing things differently make Rogue Reins Ranch a place where I can fully invest in the work and feel good about how it’s done.
The best part is that everyone who works at Rogue Reins genuinely enjoys each other—it feels like spending time with family… the ones you really like.
