About Us

Confederate Trails of Gettysburg and The Victorian Carriage Company, together known as Horse Tours of Gettysburg, is a small, women owned and family operated business. We provide Licensed Battlefield Guided Horseback rides and Horse drawn Carriage Tours on the Gettysburg Battlefield. We are proud members of the military, active in our local community, and enjoy helping families and friends create memories that last a lifetime. Please read on to get to know a bit about us. We hope you will come visit us and have a great experience on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

Woman owned, family operated small business

Confederate Trails was founded and opened for business in 2010. Owner, Rachel Stephens, and her husband Doug have a strong bond to Gettysburg National Military Park. For one, they are both prior Army, and secondly their wedding anniversary is on July 3rd (for those of you not familiar, the Gettysburg Battle was July 1st, 2nd and 3rd 1863). Prior to starting the horseback riding business they would often come to the Battlefield on their anniversary to enjoy the history with their children. Rachel continues to serve in the Air-force as a flight nurse and was just recently promoted to Lt. Col.
Rachel is home from her recent deployment overseas serving with the US Air-Force under operation freedom sentinel.

Dream becomes reality

Doug, now a veteran, upon returning from his sixth deployment spoke with Rachel about wanting to change their focus to doing something that they loved for the rest of their lives. The Stephens family had often spent their free time trail riding and visiting the Gettysburg Battlefield, soon after Confederate Trails was born.

The military connection

Confederate Trails is a caring, family business that functions with the expertise that comes from a combined military experience of over 40 years. Doug & Rachel met when they were both medics and non-commissioned officers in the Army. Doug worked in the air (Huey helicopters) and Rachel worked on the ground (HUMV ambulances). Later they changed branch of service to the Air Force. Both have achieved flight status and Rachel has long since been commissioned as a Registered Nurse.

A family operation
While you are out at the trails, don’t be surprised if you see the Stephens’ children.

Katie
The oldest Stephens, Katie has been integral in the business since the beginning. Being married with two amazing girls, working full time at a local hospital and going to nursing school full time, Katie STILL manages to take out carriage tours and manage customer relations. Katie loves the horses and knows all of their personalities. She is great at matching horses with guests, ensuring you have a great experience. You want amazing? Katie’s it.

Zachary, the oldest son, does a great job both at the barn and on the trail. Working full time outside the family business, he finds the time to pitch in whenever needed.

Spencer, the youngest, is on his first full year working solely with the horses. Graduating from high school this spring, spenser is applying all he has learned growing up in the family business.

Rachel - Owner, operator & nurse

Caring for the elderly
During the off season, Rachel continues to work as a Registered Nurse. She has more than 20 years of experience and has a particular love for the elderly. Rachel did many years in long-term care working as everything from a floor nurse to nursing supervisor to Director of Nursing. Rachel credits her strong bond with the elderly to her close relationship with her grandmother. “My Gram is amazing!” Rachel states, “If I could be half the person she is, I would be happy!” Rachel’s grandmother, Francis, will turn 105 this year!