From a young age, JC Mcdonald knew he was destined for spurs and saddles. “I grew up in Iowa watching John Wayne, ‘Gunsmoke’ and ‘Bonanza’ — of course I was going to be a cowboy,” Mcdonald said.

Today, Mcdonald spends his workdays on tractors and heavy machinery as a senior equipment operator at Denver Water’s North Reservoir Complex. Mcdonald has worked at Denver Water for eight years, the last two of which he has maintained the more than 800 acres of land that surround the five reservoirs in the complex.

The area, which includes several depleted gravel mines, is being developed for downstream water storage. While the reservoirs are being built, Mcdonald has his work cut out for him. Not only does he keep the area surrounding the reservoirs maintained, he also has to ensure debris and foliage stay out of the massive gravel pits as the reservoirs are being constructed.

But when it’s quittin’ time, Mcdonald climbs off his tractor, dusts off his cowboy boots and saddles up his horses. He is the owner of Broken Spoke Wagon Rides & Entertainment, which provides horse-drawn wagon rides.

Mcdonald had a special bond with horses from the moment he got his first pony, Trixie, at age 6. He spent his young adult years competing in rodeos, chuck wagon races, roughstock riding and speed events on horseback. For a few years, he even risked it all in the arena as a rodeo clown and bullfighter. “I saw a lot of serious injuries, but it was such a rush, and to be able to spend so much time with the horses was amazing,” he said.

As he got older, Mcdonald knew the sun was setting on his rodeo career. In 2014, he bought some horses and a wagon and moved them to his 10-acre ranch in Aurora, Colorado. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Mcdonald started Broken Spoke Wagon Rides & Entertainment.

His team includes Belgian draft horses Bud and Jess, as well as three riding horses: Lunar, Lady and Mama. With a 25-seat wagon, Mcdonald provides rides for school kids, church groups, retirement homes, and at various festivals and community events.

“The rides are a lot of fun. During the holidays I decorate the wagon with lights, and we play Christmas music. It’s always so great to see everyone smiling. It makes all the hard work worth it,” he said.

With a full-time job and a business to run, Mcdonald admits his life outside of Denver Water is “all horses, all the time.” In fact, he says that cleaning out the barn is how he relaxes and where he does his best thinking.

Despite the hard work involved, Mcdonald still makes time to get away. And, while some people plan tropical, exotic vacations, Mcdonald spends his time away from work camping across the state with his partner, Jerry, and his horses.

A self-described introvert, Mcdonald believes the business has helped bring him out of his shell. “I love horses and to see how happy they make other people keeps me going. It’s really rewarding,” he said.