The largest trail ride to date!  Thirteen riders total.  Ten riders, including seven Summer Campers came down from the Jubliee Horse Summer Camp came down to join three of us.  Beautiful morning and very nice easy trail.  The loop took us about an hour and ten minutes at a walk.  The parking is just enough for two small rigs.  One small water crossing and a seasonal stream that was dry.  See pictures on the website home page at coloradocorral.com.  Next ride to Centennial Cone and I hear the flowers will be in full bloom...

We had to cancel the July 7th Trail Ride due to rain, so we had a make up ride Wednesday July 14th.  We had some that could not come at the last minute, so it ended up just being Nancy and I.  The flowers were amazing and near or at peak season.  It was a beautiful day to ride and we didn't see another person in about 3 hours.  We started at the Grass Creek Trail Head, went right when you get to the top of the huge meadow and took the first trail to the right to Lost Creek Trail.  There is a spot in there after a great drinking area in the river for the horses, where the beavers have changed the trail so you have do go up and down some rocks.  I have ridden down it before, but walked it today.  There is a picture on the website Nancy took of me and Trouble walking down it.  It ends at the parking lot for a trail head and then we headed down the road back to our trailers.  Next trail ride is next Wednesday at Flying J Ranch off of Hwy 73.  Please join us!

Summer and I went to our first event yesterday at Pendragon Stud in Larkspur.  It was a great and supportive place to start.  I think they put on one a year.  It was a decent size.  I did the Beginner Elementary Division, but there was also a Beginner Green division.  There were also some Combined Training classes.  We started with Dressage.  We cantered after our salute, one stride, and Summer thought about stepping out of the open section of the arena early in the test, but overall it wasn't bad.  We made the time on the Cross Country Course by 1 second because I really didn't know how fast 300mpm was, but after asking around I determined it was an easy canter, so I added some trotting now and then if I thought I had gone too fast.  Now I know I could have gone faster! 

For some humor for you, at the end  of the xc course they said to give your penny to the girl in the green shirt.  Well, we all thought maybe it was really a penny and some tradition, so we all looked for a penny.  Well, they really wanted my number worn on a tie on cloth that goes over your vest...  Felt a little silly there for a second. 

No faults on the show jumping and had a blast overall.  We ended up in second out of about 7 or 8 teams.  I am definitely hooked and hope to do the real deal on August 15th at the Colorado Horse Park.  If interested, the video of our ride is on my you tube account - hhorsesco.

Incredible day today at the Butterfield Ranch - Thank you to Thom and Allen for their hospitality.  We had a 3 hour guided tour over a sampling of the ranch.  Gorgeous land and great history.  Go to their website at foxtonmorgans.com to read more history.  The Morgans were beautiful and true mountain horses.  What a place to live and ranch - Thank you again!  We will be back!

This weekend, head up to Ft. Collins to see all of the competitors in the Extreme Mustang Challenge.  Cheer on our Julie Phillips and Jackson Nevada!  See the schedule on the www.extrememustangmakeover.com website.  Then, look for the article on the competition and final results in July's Colorado Serenity Magazine!

The SDRC Ranch Race Clinic and Competition turned out as promised - to be not only a good time, but educational.  We had about 15 participants in the Clinic, with our clinicians Shane Alapai and Dan Bechler.  Shane worked people with their horses through the  roping, cutting and gate.  Dan picked up from there with the rest of the course obstacles.  Those who moved on to the competition Sunday, had confidence and probably calmer nerves, having negotiated the parts of the course Saturday.  The results for Sundays Competition are as follows :  Youth 13-18: 1. Katie White on Zip, 2.  Kailyn Miller on Spirit, 3.  Brianna McKinney on Bronco.  Youth 12 & Under:  1.  Lydia Miller on Applejack, 2.  Delaney Taylor on Toby; 3.  Lauren McKinney on Bronco.  Green As Grass:  1.  Sandi Simmons on Bella, 2.  Barry Wilkins on Catmandu, 3.  Kristin O'Connell on Chicklet, 4.  Chelsea Brown on Warlock.  Amateur:   1.  Kim Meyer on Danny, 2.  Tucker Black on Lena.  Open:  Heather McWilliams on Trouble, 2.  Shane Alapai on Bella, 3.  Heather McWilliams on Summer, 4.  Shane Alapai on Dash.  Jackpot:  1.  Shane Alapai on Snap, 2.  Kim Meyer on Danny, 3.  Tucker Black on Lena, 4.  Katie White on Zip, 5.  Heather McWilliams on Summer.  See  pictures noe on the website and winners in the June Colorado Serenity. 

Congratulations to everyone!  Thank you to Barry Wilkins and SDRC for all of the preparation and hard work!  You do an awesome job putting on events!  SDRC's next open show is June 13th.  The fall Colorado Corral Ranch Race Clinic and Competition is September 18 & 19th at the El Pinal Rodeo Grounds in Evergreen.  See you there!

Finally we had perfect weather for a trail ride!  We crossed the road from the parking area to the south side, followed the Mountain Trail around then took a right instead of going back on the Ranch View Trail.  This lead us to the other parking area by the church.  We then headed up the sisters trail, which was not ideal for horses, unless you are looking to do some rock climbing.  It goes up and over between two of the sisters.  A beautiful two hour ride with lots of varied terrain!  I think we passed one bike and two hiking groups in that time period.  Perfect -

Almost two weeks until the Extreme Mustang Challenge in Ft. Collins with our local trainers Julie Phillips and Shane Alapai.  Don't miss it!  Friday and Saturday, June 11th and 12th are the riding portions and June 13th is the sale.  Please come support these trainers and this event to promote America's Mustang's!

It is here!  The first Ranch Race of the Spring is here this weekend, hosted by Squair Deal Riding Center.  The beautiful thing is I get to ride in it myself this year!  Thank you Barry Wilkins for putting it on!  The clinic will have plenty of clinicians to make each rider have a lot of time with the trainers.  There is still room for the clinic and competition, so let me know if you are not signed up yet.  Right now it looks like the clinic may be divided up into 3 groups of around five.  If you just want to watch, please come hang out with your neighbors and root them on.  It is almost as fun to watch as it is to ride!  You may see one or two of the Mustang Challenge Mustang's...  Look for the article and division winners in the June Colorado Serenity Magazine.

On a personal note, which I try to avoid, I have been injured since early March.  Yes, horse accident caused by a rock slide spook.  I have had a very large hematoma on my rear area and I have not been able to ride.  I have been keeping my girls in shape with ground work, lunging, cavaletti, etc.  I am feeling much better the last week and feeling hopeful about riding soon!  I am hoping to ride at the SDRC Ranch Race end of May too!  I hope to see you soon!