Ride the winds
Ride the winds
By: Jill Barnes Nelson
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Posted by editor Tue Sep 5, 2006 16:54:35 PDT
Viewed 1356 times
0 responses 0 comments There aren’t many things more enjoyable than riding the open trails on a horse. Well, recently I got to do that in the backcountry of Alberta, Canada, and the ride was all that I had anticipated and more.
I went to Banff, Alberta, on an all women’s five day ride, hosted by an outfitter called Holiday on Horseback out of the Warner Ranch. It offers all types of trail rides from a half-day to the five-day ride, and for all types of riders. This one just happened to be geared toward women. I went with Barbara Ferrante, owner of Jake’s Steak House, who also is a horse enthusiast.
Our women’s group included another Americans from Arizona, two from Ontario and two from Alberta. All but one had riding experience and the novice from Alberta was a trooper, despite the fact the only horse she’d ever ridden was on a merry-go-round. Each day consisted of about five hours of riding with a stop for a trailside lunch.
Our sure-footed geldings took us on trails through the “bush” of the park with lodge pole pines, lush undergrowth and the high peaked Rockies to be seen at every turn. The accommodations were somewhat rustic. The Sundance Lodge, where we stayed at our first and last nights, had solar lights, indoor plumbing and overlooked a babbling creek. The Halfway Lodge, our stay for the other two nights, had only kerosene lamps, candles and outdoor plumbing. But the view at Halfway looked into the Sundance and Og mountain ranges that was ever changing with the differing sunlight. (Other rides from Holiday offer tent camping.).
The middle day of the ride took us through steep trails, rock slides and creeks. At one point we were above the tree line at some 8,000 feet. Here, we viewed the Rockies close-up, along with Alpine flowers and some left over snow. But to keep us grounded, we also saw warning signs of area grizzlies. Happily, we saw none. We did see some elk near the town of Banff.
The Warner Ranch has rides for every taste, even if it’s just a half-day trek along the arctic blue Bow River. If you’re looking for a real horse adventure, give them a call. For more information on a women’s only trip or any other, call (800) 661-8352 or www.horseback.com.
Speaking of trail rides, ETI Corral 83 has been busy. The group had two dinner rides in July and August in Stallion Springs because of the heat. Both times there was a potluck dinner followed by the ride. Corral 83 has a high country ride in Bear Valley Springs on Sept. 23. The ride begins at 10 a.m. and riders should bring lunch. Your horse should be in shape for some steep hills. The group also has a Poker Ride in cooperation with the Stallion Springs Trail Association on Oct. 7. The fee is $20 for members and $25 for non-members and includes poker hand and lunch. Animal Communicator Lydia Hiby will be the group’s special guest. Appointment for a private session is $40. And there’s a week trip to Montana de Oro from Oct. 22 to 27. For this and other info, call Wellington at 822-8131.
The Tehachapi Western Events Association has a Playday on Sept. 16 and a Trail Trial on Sept. 30, both at the Bo-V Arena. Start times are 10 a.m. TWEA also announced the winners of its Flossie Flop Raffle. The Saturday winners were Todd Tramp, David Murray and Deluxe Gas. Sunday’s winners included Eric Bakman, Lea Anderson and Ed Aragon.
TWEA also concluded its Barrel Racing Series with the National Barrel Horse Association. The winners included in the NBHA division, 1D – Cindy Richea, 2D – Marcia Ennis, 3D – Verna Wimple, 4D – Kim Bilson and Youth – Britney Kovacs. The TWEA division, 1D – Richea, 2D – Ennis, 3D – Karen Ericcson, 4D – Kovacs, Youth – Kovacs. TWEA also announced its annual donation recipients. Almost all of the monies collected from events and the raffle go back to community projects. This year’s donation amount totaled $2,000 and was given to the High Spirit/Special Olympic Riders, the Freedom Therapeutic Riders, the Tehachapi Ag Boosters/FAA and the Tehachapi Warrior Boosters. For more information click, www.tehachapiwesternevents.com or call Anders at 661.823.7046.
Tehachapi trainer Matt Sheridan also has been busy. He was interviewed for the Rick Lamb radio program, "The Horse Show." Times are at www.thehorseshow.com or at www.mattsheridan.net. Lamb also expressed interest in working with Sheridan on a segment for his new program on RFD-TV this fall.
Sheridan has two upcoming clinics. One is a Horsemanship Clinic at the Bear Valley Equestrian Center on Oct. 20 to 22. Contact Liz Beckham (972-6617) for more information. The other is in Ramona on Oct. 27 to 29. Call Rose Goodlett (760-788-9554).
The Tehachapi Dressage Club has a rated show at the Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center on Sept. 24. Entries close Sept. 15. Forms are available at www.tehachapidressage.org.
For more information call Sally Barton (822-2037).
Don’t forget, if you have any information to report on the horse community such as upcoming events, clinics, raffles or you’ve won an award, please contact Jill at 823-1114, fax 823-1115, email jillbn@yahoo.com, or drop material off at the Tehachapi News.
Jill and her husband John operate the Bar Double J Ranch on Cameron Canyon Road, raising performance quarter horses (barjjranch.com). They also run a production company, which will make videos, DVDs of your horse or set up a Web site.
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