Ghost Riders to the Rescue Competitive Trail Ride

 

(Photos below are some I have taken while volunteering at the Walkin’ N Circles Ranch)

Over at Walkin' N Circles Ranch, a New Mexico Horse Rescue, we’ve been gearing up for the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), first ever, annual Ghost Riders to the Rescue Trail Ride!!!

This is the very first ACTHA sanctioned ride in New Mexico, so this is extra exciting! And proceeds will be going to help support and care for the rescued horses at Walkin’ N Circles Ranch!

 

I’ll be there, too, directing traffic, helping with sign-ups, helping riders with their horses, and helping to judge rider’s Halloween Costumes. All of us volunteers have been asked to dress as Zombie’s so we stand out. I’ll be dressed as a Diva Zombie. First time I’ve dressed up for Halloween in years! haha!

Here are the details about this fun ride, in hopes that anyone reading this may be interested in participating.

Here’ your chance to spend a day at the magnificent Cedar Hill Farm, a 420 acre horse facility located in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains with expansive views of the Estancia Valley. Don’t miss this ACTHA sanctioned ride, a great way to pile up those ACTHA year end points!

(The Ghost Riders to the Rescue Trail and Challenges will have fun, unique, and creative Halloween-themed names. This is one of the Trail Markers.)

 

The Ghost Riders Competitive Trail is a beautiful seven mile trail, in and around the 80 acres used for three day eventing.  Arrive Friday night and there’s plenty of primitive camping and you may paddock your horse at your trailer or rent a stall or pen. Or arrive Saturday morning before 7:30am. Trail Ride begins at 9am, after breakfast and Orientation.

And since this will be Halloween, you are invited to wear costumes to ride. You and your horse, dog, cat, child and spouse. Be creative because there will be prizes for the best costumes. For breakfast a caterer will be selling burritos, coffee, cinnamon buns and juice. Enjoy the ride, the views and the challenges. Then while you await the judge’s verdict on your riding finesse, you can refuel on burgers and hot dogs piled high with fixin’s.

 

The proceeds from this ride will be used to benefit the New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch, Inc. in Edgewood, New Mexico. And there will be at least six adoptable horses available to meet and ride, too.

Walkin’ in Circles is certified by the state of New Mexico and is the largest horse rescue in the state, and has been operating for seven years. In that time they have adopted out over 300 horses! Currently they shelter 30 rescued horses with the help of over 300 volunteers, and operate a full time boarding facility to help support operations. And a few months ago, they opened a thrift store in Edgewood which also generates much needed monies for the rescue! Please stop by on your way home, or over the weekend and rummage through their huge selection of clothing, books, housewares and used tack.

 

The ride is being held at the beautiful Cedar Hill Farm equestrian center courtesy of the property owner, Mr. Don Hoeck. The center has been in existence since 1996 and consists of 420 spectacular acres which includes an 80 acre cross country eventing field. Cedar Hill Farm is on the historic Salt Mission Trail and is located only 27 miles south of Tijeras and 45 minutes east of Albuquerque off I-40. You can view this stunning property at Cedar Hills Farm website to see first hand the quality this facility has to offer. (I took a few pictures on Sunday before my batteries went dead)

(The entire 420 acres is safely fenced in wire mesh horse fence, board fencing or pipe railing; no barbed wire at all. This is the road that travels east, between two horse pastures, towards the 80 acre eventing field, with beautiful views of the Estancia Valley)

 

(And this is part of the 80 acre eventing field, with jumps, trail challenges, bleachers and a viewing platform)

 

(And this is a view of the outside of the Indoor Arena. The inside is impressive with, angled arena walls, lots of skylights, an elevated viewing platform and announcer’s booth, several huge stalls, grooming stalls, and more! This property has been up for sale for over 4 years! It’s truly an amazing equestrian property, and I wish there was someway it could be donated to Walkin’ N Circles Ranch.)

The camping area for the trail ride event will not have hookups for LQs or camping trailers, however water is available for holding tanks. Horse accommodations consist of 12 large pipe fencing pens as well as 26 comfortable stalls with oversize runs. There is an outdoor arena as well as an indoor arena to use for warming up your horse before the ride.

 

The trail terrain is varied with some ridges and rocky sections. Putting shoes or boots on you horse is suggested but not necessary. A farrier will be on site during ride day.

Cost for use of outdoor pens is $10.00 per night, $5.00 the day of the ride, and stall/run is $20.00 per night, $15.00 the day of the ride. Please call ahead to reserve your stall or pen. (Colleen or Anna - 505-286-0779)

Absolutely no dogs loose on the ranch. Keep them in your trailer or on a leash. They are not allowed on the trail ride.

Schedule: Check-in Friday evening by 7pm or Saturday morning before breakfast.

• Breakfast: 8am – breakfast burritos, coffee, or juice, sweet rolls - $5.00
• Riders Briefing – 8:30 am
• Ride out -  9:00 am to 10:30 am - Trail is 7 miles and will take 2 ½ hours
• Lunch: 1 pm – hamburger or hot dog, chips, water/soda, dessert - $7.00
• Awards Ceremony: 2:00 pm

Halloween Costume contest: Best costumed horse and rider, Best costumed female and best costumed male.

Entries limited to first 100 riders: Fees payable online: Credit Cards welcome

**$525 in cash awards and great prizes for 1st – 6th place.

**Open, pleasure, junior and buddy divisons.

See the FAQ page for questions regarding the divisions.

• CTC entry fees:
• $53.00 pleasure
• $78.00 Open
• $43.00 junior
• $40.00 Adult buddy (Non-Competitive)
• $35.00 Junior buddy (Non-Competitive)
• $10.00 Spectator Donation Fee 

**New membership fee $25.00 individual per year and $40.00 family of two per year. Horse must have current coggins for New Mexico residents and Current Coggins plus Health Certificate for out of state riders upon entrance to farm. Also, after the ride, you are invited to camp out on Halloween Night and do more planned, relaxed trail riding around the 420 acres of the ranch.

 

**Directions: On the east side of Albuquerque and traveling from either eastbound or westbound I-40, take the Tijeras exit and go south on Hwy 337. You will follow Hwy 337 south for approximately 28 miles. Cedar Hill Farm will be on your left hand side. If you reach Hwy 55 to Estancia you will have gone too far south.  There is a large sign in front of the property as well as tan three-rail metal fencing all along the hwy frontage of the property.  Call 505-286-0779 or 505-710-2535 if further directions are needed. Additional information on the ride please email saveahorse@wncr.org. Registration for this ride will close Oct 29th 2009, two days before ride date.

(Let me know if you decide to attend. You and your horse are invited to come stay a night or two at the Laughing Orca Ranch before or after the Ghost Riders Trail Ride, if you like. We live only 20 minutes north of Cedar Hill Farm.)

Please consider joining us for the Ghost Riders to the Rescue Trail Ride this Saturday. You’ll be helping provide feed, training, and vet care for the the rescued horses of Walkin’ N Circles Ranch, and you and your horse will have a blast!