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May is FINALLY Here!
It’s May so it might as well be snowing as I write this, right?
We’ve been so fortunate to have a few really nice days so far this month, but even more lucky and thankful for all the moisture we’re finally getting up here. We’ve had three day of rain followed by a fourth day with snow. Of course, that means a lot of mud. Hopefully it means a lot of great wildflowers this early summer and a lower fire danger for the summer. We’re looking forward to a great summer with you and your horses!
Clinics
Clinic sign-up is still open on our website or over the phone. Our Advanced Trail Riding Clinic at Winding River Ranch June 21-23 is down to just one rider (waiting list available once that spot is filled). We’re choosing some great trails to ride up there and are excited to see some great new scenery in Rocky Mountain National Park! This is a great clinic opportunity for anyone who has had some time on the trail with their horse, but needs to fine-tune their performance together or solve some issues that have come up on your rides. Prices go up to a late registration fee beginning May 21. Sign up and avoid the fee, then pack your bags and your trailer for a great weekend in the mountains!
Our signature clinic here at Running D Ranch is Creating the Ultimate Trail Horse Clinic (July 6-7). We have only three more rider spots left for this great clinic with obstacles to build your confidence with your horse and something to challenge every horse and rider team to help you grow in your partnership! Late fees for this clinic kick in May 31. This clinic has been featured in a couple of horse magazines and our obstacles have been copied by many. Come experience the original Creating the Ultimate Trail Horse Clinic and get tools you can put to use on the trail.
Our Advanced Trail Clinic at M Lazy C Ranch (August 9-11) is almost full as well with just two more rider spots available. We will start a waiting list when this clinic fills too. Late registration starts May 16. Come see some beautiful views of Pikes Peak, the Tarryalls and the Hayman burn area from the back of your horse – all while learning throughout the day as we go. We’ll do one-on-one lessons from horseback as we travel down the trail as well as lessons during breaks throughout the day.
We’ve just added one more clinic to the schedule – another Horsemanship for the Trail Clinic in Washington, Penn., at Deer Creek Stables September 28-29. We are also looking to add any other clinics and private lessons to our trip to Pennsylvania in the week before and the week after this clinic. Please contact us for more information. Sign-up for the Deer Creek Stables clinic will be available through our website or directly with Deer Creek Stables. Check our website for more details soon.
We still have openings for our private and semi-private clinics and are booking a few more clinics. Please contact us if you are interested.
Equestrian Skills Park
We are working to finish the general layout plan and obstacle drawings to present to the County Parks Planning personnel. We hope to be on to the next step by the end of May. Click on the Equestrian Skills Park tab, or visit our page on Facebook for more information on this exciting project in the Pikes Peak region.
Other Trail Events
National Trails Day Trail Project: Come “Get Dirty” and build new trail in Red Rock Canyon, Saturday, June 1, 2013, for National Trails Day. Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services TOPS (Trails, Open Space, and Parks Program), has teamed up with REI, the Trails and Open Space Coalition, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, Medicine Wheel, Friends of the Peak, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, the Intemann Trail Committee and the Equestrian Community to construct this new section of trail within Red Rock Canyon (formerly known as Section 16). Register to volunteer at www.rei.com/stores/colorado-springs. Participants must be 16 years or older. Registration the morning of will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the project will begin at 8:00 a.m., ending at 3:30 p.m. Please come prepared to work the entire day. Tools will be provided; however, bring your own gloves, water, hat, sunscreen and snacks. A light lunch will be provided. Parking will be provided at the Bear Creek Nature Center, off of Lower Gold Camp Road and a shuttle will provide transportation to the work site.
This new trail is to accommodate both equestrians and bicyclists in Section 16 in Colorado Springs. In recent years, part of the original trail was improved and in the process made difficult for both equestrians and bicyclists to use that portion of the trail. This new trail will allow both groups easier access to the Section 16 area. Come join us as we work to improve trail access for equestrians with these other great trail user groups! Wear your horse t-shirts, hats, etc., to show your support of our equestrian community in this project.
Trails And Open Space Coalition Members-Only Trail Ride: Join me Saturday June 8, 2013 at Aspen Valley Ranch in Woodland Park, Colo., for this first members-only trail ride for TOSC. Explore Aspen Valley Ranch from horseback. The ranch, part of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation and the Gordon Jackson Foundation, is filled with rolling hills of pine and aspen trees. While taking in the beautiful scenery, you'll learn about their programs focused on music, the arts, culture, sustainable living skills, forest management and high-altitude gardening.
This is a Members-only ride and suitable for riders over 18. Please bring a sack lunch. Space is limited to 12 riders. To register or for more information, visit the Event page, or call me at 719.748.8543. This is a Members-only event. Please do not sign up if you are not a current TOSC member. Join by visiting www.trailsandeopenspaces.org. For questions about your membership status, please call 719.633.6884
Colorado Horse Council Heritage Ride: Join me Saturday June 15 for this great ride with the Colorado Horse Council. There will be myself and other guest riders as well as vendor booths. Visit http://www.coloradohorsecouncil.com/index.cfm?id=cca967c8-c94d-48eb-083414b938ed2075&heritage-ride.html to sign up and learn more.
Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page to get the latest clinic information and read our weekend training tip and other fun things.