Centennial Trail Ride ~ Center of New Mexico

 

 

On Friday, I arrived in San Acacia, NM, about 1pm. San Acacia is just a little over an hour from my house in the Sandia Mountains and is as close to the geographic center of New Mexico that we could get, and still have full facilities, easy access, and a plethora of amazing trail riding opportunities.

There were lots horse trailers arriving as well as horses and riders already tacked up or preparing to tack up for this special event trail ride and statehood ceremony.

(Notice in the background, beyond the trees, Black Butte, the top of which was our destination that day)

After registering, I was introduced to the horse I would be riding for the weekend, a lovely grey mare named Splendor. My Santa Fe horse friends and motel roommates, Shelley and Trish, were already there and we visited for a little while.

(Shelley on the left and Trish, leading her horse, Li’l Dude, on the right, in front of the Old San Acacia School House and the Ride Base Camp for the weekend)

We also met some of the other riders and were excited to recognize many of the faces and names from the Facebook Horse groups we’re members of. It was great to finally meet them and ride together.   

After everyone was mounted up we gathered together for a Flag Raising Ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem.

 

Then Steve Komadina, from Corrales Horse and Mule People (CHAMP) in Corrales, NM read a letter that was written for us by the Governor of New Mexico, Susana Martinez, to commemorate this special day (we were all given a signed copy of that letter to keep as well).

A little bit of that letter and the Flag Raising Ceremony in this video.

 

Then it was time for all of us to head out to the trail for our ride up to the top of Black Butte, where we would be singing Happy Birthday to our beloved New Mexico, to celebrate her birthday of 100 years of Statehood.

(There’s Black Butte in the distance. We’ll be on top of it before long)

 

Riding with my friend Shelley on her famous mustang, Macho. Some of you may remember me posting about her from the ACTHA Caja del Rio Trail Ride last September. She was the host of that ride. Her horse Macho was also a finalist in the America’s Favorite Trail Horse Contest, too.

  

 

And another friend that joined the celebration ride, that anyone who has read my blog would know is Theresa on her handsome Lipizzan/Hungarian Warmblood gelding, Zeema!

They were also finalists on America’s Favorite Trail Horse, and traveled to Texas to compete last year.

 

Soon it was time to cross our first set of railroad tracks. Notice the southern base of Black Butte in the background.

 

D helping some of the riders who were having trouble getting their horses to cross the railroad tracks.

 

 

After riding alongside the dry Acequia for a while, we came to the second set of railroad tracks to cross, and waited a few minutes to take turns to ride across them.

 

 

Riders and horses crossing the tracks behind me.

 

Some of the riders brought along their dogs to ride along with the group. I brought my Dobbie Girl, too, but decided not to let her join the ride because there were so many horses, and she is so small, I was concerned she might get trampled.

 

Soon we were heading uphill making our way around the foothills at the base of Black Butte.

 

Soon we made our way downhill again, towards the northeast side of Black Butte.

In this photo Splendor and I were actually riding downhill, even though it oddly looks like we’re heading uphill. The shadowed area was caused by Black Butte above us.

We rode down and around into a deep sandy wash and then it was time to head uphill again…at a canter. Wheee!

 

Looking back down at the other riders and horses down in the sandy wash waiting to canter uphill.

 

D describing the steep, narrow trail up to the top of Black Butte, in the background.

 

Riding north to the opening in the fence.

Riding south towards the west side of Black Butte.

Soon it’s time to ride the steep, narrow, rocky trail up to the top of Black Butte.

Splendor picking her way carefully up the trail.

 

Up we go.

 

And up some more.

 

Looking down at some of the riders near the base of Black Butte.

 

Happy smiling face of Dusty from Followed Dreams Ranch (You will hear more about this amazing horseman and his equally impressive horses, in my future posts!)

 

Getting closer to the top.

 

Almost at the top, getting steeper and rockier.

 

We made it!!!! Incredible vistas as the reward!

 

More riders and horses arriving at the top. (My friend Trish with her camera, too)

 

 

New horse friend, “Kolt”.

 

Me and Splendor on top of Black Butte with new horse friends, “Beel” and Nancy.

 

 

When we all reached the top of Black Butte it was time to sing Happy Birthday to New Mexico!

 

 

After singing, taking photos and enjoying the vistas, it was time to start heading back down. (Riding southeast, my new horse friend, Marilyn and old horse friend, Lance (on the paint) riding out in front of me)

 

Riding west across the center of the butte, towards the setting sun.

 

Riding back down the narrow, rocky trail with a steep drop-off on the left. Surprisingly, Splendor’s feet were barefoot and tough as the rock she traveled on steadily and securely down the trail.

 

Splendor sure-footedly picked her way down the steep trail. 

 

Short video of Splendor making her way down the steep trail with my friend Shelley behind me having a fun time.

 

 

Looking up at the top of Black Butte from it’s base on the west side.

 

Looking up at new horse friend, “Pandito”

 

Splendor and I heading back to Base Camp, at the end of the ride.

 

After horses were un-tacked and fed, we gathered together in the historic San Acacia Schoolhouse to share a potluck meal, a campfire on the back patio, and great stories involving horses and trail rides. But we didn’t stay up too late because the next morning we would be gathering together again for an epic all day trail ride in and above San Lorenzo Canyon.