Featured Article (April 2003)

Extraordinary Equestrian Escapes

Vacation planning this year is no easy task. We can no longer hop on a plane with carefree abandon to travel to our dream vacation destination. Now we have to think about the safety of the plane ride and the reception of the local people when we get there. The state of the world makes vacation planning quite a challenge.

We have assembled extraordinary equestrian escapes to help with your planning. There are places for those who want to stay close to home and for those who want to venture north, go west, or head to Canada, Ireland, or even Tibet and Patagonia. These vacation spots cater to the beginner rider as well as the experienced rider, and most have activities for your non-riding family members. Some offer total pampering for you and your horse and some explore the last frontiers in the world for an extreme experience. A vacation is still a good thing!

Staying Close to Home

The Funny Farm Inn

The Funny Farm Inn is a peaceful 85-acre horse farm nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, a fox hunting vacation, or a trail riding or hiking adventure. They even accommodate small weddings. The inn provides guests with complete privacy. Accommodations include two restored 1800 log homes and a stunning contemporary. The houses have fireplaces, central heat, air conditioning and cable TV. A large in-ground pool is perfect for relaxing and reading. For guests who wish to bring their horses, the inn offers a deluxe barn, rings, and miles of trails, jumps, and paddocks with double board fence.

While staying at the inn you can enjoy the Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, or tour local wineries. A short drive will take you to historic Monticello, Montpelier, Ashlawn or Civil War Battlefields. Wonderful antique shops, fine restaurants, hiking trails and superb fishing streams are only minutes away.

Located approximately nine miles southwest of Culpeper, it is only 1 ½ hours from Washington, D.C. and 40 minutes from Charlottesville, Virginia. For reservations and information call 540-547-3481 or visit www.bbonline.com/va/funnyfarm/.

Rugby Creek

Rugby Creek is perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Surrounded by the 63-acre horse farm you will find it a quiet and peaceful haven.

Thousands of acres of trails await your exploration without interruption. Rugby Creek is only three miles from Grayson Highlands State Park, with easy access from the farm by horseback to 63 miles of the Virginia Highland Horse Trails, Mount Rogers National Recreational Area and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

The cabins have private porches with rocking chairs for appreciating the panoramic views. You can soak in the Jacuzzi and rest by the fireplace. There is a large great room with 19' of glass and gorgeous mountain vistas. Large box stalls in the new barn await your horse. There is a large outdoor arena and round pen.

Activities include trail riding, rental horses are available at another location, 18 hole golf course, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, tubing, canoeing, and swimming. Rugby Creek is located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. For reservations call 540-579-4215 or visit www.rugbycreek.com.

Fort Valley Stable

Fort Valley Stable's Horse and Mule Campground is surrounded by the George Washington National Forest, which has over 80 miles of beautiful trails. The trails are accessible from camp and many more miles are just a short haul down the road. This is mountain camping at its best. Bring your own horse or mule and explore the Massanutten Mountains for a weekend, or an extended vacation, or a guided trail ride on a gentle saddle horse.

The terrain ranges from easy trails through dark hollows and along mountain streams, to rough, rocky and rugged trails that bring the experienced rider to some of the highest ridges in the Massanutten Mountain Range. The rider is rewarded with magnificent views.

Accommodations include shaded camp sites with your horses corralled just a few steps away. There are primitive sites with no hook-ups for self-contained rigs, and sites with water and electric hook-ups. Comfortable hot showers and restroom are available.

If you don't want to camp there are two bunk house cabins, which will sleep four to six. Horse can be accommodated on a picket line, portable corral, a shaded 12' x 16' pipe corral or one of three pasture paddocks. If you prefer, the barn has two large box stalls and six large tie stalls.

When you have finished your trail ride you can relax and fish at the three catch-and-release ponds that are teeming with large mouthed bass. These ponds will give the angler or fly fisherman hours of enjoyment.

Fort Valley Stable is located in the Shenandoah Valley, which is known for its Civil War history and battle grounds, world-class caverns, small-mouth bass fishing, tubing and canoeing in the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. There are many fine antique shops, museums, vineyards and fine restaurants.

Fort Valley stable is easily reached from I-81 at exit 279 between Front Royal and Strasburg. For reservations and more information call 540-933-6634 or visit www.fortvalleystable.com.

Inn at Kelly's Ford

The Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center is located along the Rappahannock River on the historical site of the Kelly's Ford Civil War Battlefield and is part of the 500 acre Inn at Kelly's Ford. There is easy access to the 4500 acre Chester Phelps Wildlife Management area, a Virginia treasure abundant with wildlife and scenic trails. Kelly's Ford and the surrounding countryside are perfect for the horseman.

Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center offers horseback riding for all levels of experience. Ride on miles of scenic country trails and back roads or enjoy our state of the art indoor arena. The lighted 110 by 80 foot facility with full sound system, heating and air conditioning is perfect for special events or a memorable ride.

Our professional staff offers training in all disciplines including Western, English, Driving and Natural Horsemanship for beginners to advanced riders. The stable offers box stalls, a heated wash rack, turnouts and a round pen. The heated stable tack rooms have lockers and a guest shower.

You may board your own horse overnight or for a weekend, make use of the rings and trails or enjoy one of their horses for a lesson or trail ride. Participate in or just come watch and relax at one of their horse shows this April, May and September.

The Inn offers nine luxurious suites, each with a fireplace, a casual yet elegant restaurant for fine dining and Pelham's Pub for your favorite beverage and light fare.

Add to your Equestrian experience with pony rides, surrey rides, canoeing or tubing on the Rappahannock, a heated swimming pool and clubhouse, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a private park along the river, mountain biking on country trails and golf on six nearby courses.

The Inn at Kelly's Ford in Remington, Virginia is only one hour from Washington DC. For reservations or information call 540-399-1779 or visit www.innatkellysford.com.

Nemacolin Woodlands

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, located in the laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, is one of North America's premier resort destinations. The resort offers 287 luxurious guestrooms, suites, townhouse, and private homes.

The Equestrian Center is a very special gem in the resort's sparking collection of recreational amenities. The facility offers guests scenic trail rides, sleigh and surrey rides and an array of equine programs and instruction clinics.

The Equestrian Center offers the Equine Encounter, which allows you to become acquainted with one of their specially chosen horses while teaching the basics of Ground-work, round-pen work, and riding. The indoor Four Seasons Arena offers seating for 350, and measures 70' x 220'. With Alaskan clay and sand surface and a state-of-the- art sound system, the space is ideal for clinics, club events, group shows, and year-round riding.

In addition to the Equestrian Center's menu of activities, Nemacolin Woodlands features a number of other outstanding offerings that keep guests returning time and time again. The acclaimed Woodlands Spa, 36 holes of golf on two championship courses, a golf academy and a top-rated sporting clays course are just the beginning.

In the warm weather months, an adventure center features a ropes course, a climbing wall, mountain biking, and hiking trails. During the winter, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snow tubing and snow boarding all provide hours of fun for the entire family. There is also a year-round youth program and babysitting services. Nemacolin has a $2 million Paradise Pool, adjacent to the Woodlands Spa. The larger-than-Olympic-style pool was built to resemble pools from the Riviera and Hawaii. Its distinctive design elements include intricate tile and ceramic border, a swim up bar and a whirlpool for twelve. Food and beverage service can be enjoyed on the sun deck.

Nemacolin Woods is located 70 miles from Pittsburgh and only 183 miles from Washington DC.

For reservations and information 800-422-2736 or visit www.nemacolin.com.

Abroad and Exotic Vacations

Horse Around Ireland!

A new concept in Equestrian Vacations. Thinking of taking a vacation? Take a look at this new idea for an equestrian vacation where riding is not the only focus. Options are even offered for non riders. This is a fun and informal approach to horse life in Ireland.

Your personal equestrian guide escorts you on a luxury mini-coach. Each day you are introduced to a different element of the Irish horse industry and shown another corner of the Emerald Isle. You are accommodated in the finest 3 and 4 star country manor style hotels. Gallop across the beaches, trek through the forest and jump the cross-country fences. Three half days of riding are spread among an assortment of Ireland's highlights and attractions. Each of these rides is in a completely different part of the country. An instructor is available for those who would like lessons to help them through the cross-country course. A trail ride option is offered for beginners. All levels of riding ability are accommodated.

Your tour includes a visit to the Irish National Stud, the Horse Museum and the foxhunting kennels of the Galway Blazer's Hunt. You will also see the 7th Century Monastic site of Clonmacnoise, a 13th Century Castle and the 5000-year-old burial tomb, Poulnabrone. The natural beauty of the Emerald Isle will take your breath away. The towering and mysterious Cliffs of Moher, the mountains of the Ring of Kerry and the lakes and landscape of the Connemarra are all on the itinerary.

Mary Leonard is your host and founder of the company. Mary is from a family well known in horse circles around the world. Her father, Michael Leonard produced the Supreme Champion at the Royal Dublin Show this year. Her family produces top quality horses for foxhunting, eventing, show jumping and dressage.

Mary's Tours are designed to bring you the fun and adventure that she has always made a priority in her life. As Mary takes you around Ireland she will enthrall you with the legends and folklore of her country.

If you love horses, you'll love this vacation. Check it out on www.horsearoundireland.com or talk to the U.S. representative Beaumont Martin at 410-433-9300.

Boojum Expeditions

"Challenging," "rewarding," "trip of a lifetime" are some of the terms clients use to describe the distinctive horseback/cultural treks that Montana-based Boojum Expeditions has been offering since 1984. Following their personal interests in horses and travel, Kent Madin and Linda Svendsen have pioneered rides in Tibet, Mongolia and Argentina focusing on traditional horse-based cultures.

The emphasis is on traveling on horseback, not just riding. That means tough local horses, local tack, local guides and wranglers, local food and rustic accommodations. Most rides involve using pack horses as well as vehicle support and include wilderness camping. A Boojum Expedition immerses the rider in the local culture, traveling just as the Tibetans, Mongolians, Argentines travel.

As an example, the Kazakh Eagle Hunters trip immerses the traveler in the local tradition of falconry. You will follow local Kazakh hunters with trained golden eagles as they hunt fox and rabbit from horseback. Meet the hunters, their families and their birds and learn some of the skills involved in the capture, training and use of the eagles as hunters.

For the Patagonia Horse Trek the traveler flies to Buenos Aires and then on to Bariloche nestled between the Andes and Lago Nahuel Haupi. The ride goes into the Nahuel Haupi National Park, which is breath taking. The horses are the strong, spirited crillo horses in the company of local gauchos. Base camps are established so riders can explore the mountains and lakes of the region. There is great fishing and condor watching to enjoy.

The owners guarantee that surprises, unexpected events and serendipity are all part of the itinerary.

Kent Madin says, "We tell our clients to bring their love of riding and sense of balance and leave their "training" behind. We also tell it like it is; this is a true adventure and that means you may be tired or cold or hungry or all of the above at some point on the trip."

Besides the extraordinary country in the wilds of Mongolia, Tibet and Argentina, the thing clients most often remember is the friendships developed with the local wranglers, packers and guides. Boojum provides multiple translators on their trips, but the language barrier is easily crossed between clients and nomads just from the shared love of horses and wild country.

For reservations and more information call 800-287-0125 or visit www.boojum.com.

Heading West Vacations

Rocking Tree Ranch

Rocking Tree Ranch is a historic working cattle and horse ranch in Montana's Big Sky Country. It is a real, working ranch run by the Collier-Bennett family and ranch staff. They invite guests to join them each summer to enjoy the adventures of western ranch life and spend a week living the life of a cowboy or cowgirl!

Rocking Tree Ranch is noted for its natural horsemanship, structured kids' program for the little buckaroos, and almost 4,000 acres of diverse riding terrain nestled in the middle of the scenic Rocky Mountains. At Rocking Tree Ranch your whole family will learn natural horsemanship skills on quality horses, in a safe clinic environment, with Pat Parelli endorsed instructors.

You'll become a part of the ranch family and participate in ranch life, branding, doctoring and moving cattle, checking fence lines and learning about natural horsemanship and care. There are a lot of activities lined up for the summer with a theme each week including cow work, branding, gourmet week, ranch roping, trail riding, cowboy school and Parelli natural horsemanship clinics. During your week long stay you will be able to participate in a lot of fun arena games like team penning, team branding, barrel racing and pole bending. The activities are set up for all skill levels and ages, including beginners.

And you won't be able to forget the morning breakfast ride through the forest-covered hills as a beautiful sunrise crests the Rocky Mountains. Montana's best fresh brewed cowboy coffee, bacon and baked goods on an open fire fill the stillness of the morning air. Your kids will remember great times with the kid's wrangler, learning to ride and about horse care, making arts and crafts, taking nature hikes, playing with the animals in the petting zoo and overnights in the teepee. Some of your best memories will be the times spent in the evening with family and friends around the campfire and listening to guitar players and cowboy poets.

Of course, there is still time to just soak in the hot tub or relax and enjoy the beauty of Montana and the Rocky Mountains! There are many activities on the ranch for all family members including those that don't want to ride or for those that want to add some diversity to their trip. You may want to add a trip to nearby Yellowstone National Park, or the Rocking Tree staff can arrange a rafting or fly fishing trip with the local outfitter.

For reservations and information, contact Rocking Tree Ranch, Big Timber, MT, at 406.932.5057 www.RockingTreeRanch.com.

Lozier's Box R Ranch

The Box "R" Ranch has operated under the same ownership for five generations, and is the only deeded land that borders the beautiful and unspoiled Bridger Wilderness. The ranch utilizes 1,590 deeded acres and some 10,000 leased acres to maintain 250 head of cattle and 75 working ranch horses. Many fine, young ranch horses are raised and trained at the ranch. It is from this fine herd that the Box "R" Ranch guests' horses are selected.

Guests are introduced to a true working ranch experience, from cowboy horsemanship to cattle ranch life. By the time of your departure you will feel like a part of the cowboy crew. Box "R" Ranch boasts a true ranch atmosphere, where three hearty meals are served buffet and/or family style. With crew and guests eating together, this is a great time to share stories and make new friends. The ranch prides itself in providing many different robust meals from Prime Rib to Mexican Chicken Quesadilla Casserole and Chile Rellenos. Hearty entrees of beef steak, prime rib, chicken, ham, and ranch trout are accompanied by a full salad bar, hot vegetables and fresh breads, pastries, and desserts will insure your dining pleasure. Scenic sunrise breakfasts, sunset beach cookouts, and Steak Bar-B-Q's are some of the things you'll long remember after your trip.

Accommodations are two spacious lodges, with three private rooms, in each, or log cabins, all with private baths. The atmosphere of the cabins range from nostalgic 40's vintage log cabin with all the modern conveniences, to staying "up town" in modern lodges.

Lozier's Box "R" Ranch is located is Cora, Wyoming. Travel to the ranch is serviced by air to Jackson, Wyoming or fly into Salt Lake City or Idaho Falls and rent a car and drive to the ranch.

For reservations and more information call 800-822-8466 or visit www.boxr.com.

Makoshike Breaks Guest Ranch

Have you ever wanted to be a cowboy? Here's your chance to join in on the everyday workings of a REAL MONTANA CATTLE RANCH. Ride horseback on fifty square miles of pine and cedar badlands. Slip back into time and see the rolling prairie the way it used to be when it was home to Native Americans, outlaws, buffalo and wild horses. You may find arrowheads or other artifacts.

Makoshika Breaks Guest Ranch is a family owned and operated working cattle and guest ranch in eastern Montana. As you trail cows to pasture, you can experience the open spaces, big blue skies and the quiet rustle of a breeze on the pine covered hills. At the family owned guest ranch you can learn the operation of a working cattle ranch from June to mid-July. There will be gathering, branding, sorting and driving cattle to summer pasture. You will be provided with a cow horse, saddle and riding equipment, food and lodging.

Camp consists of a cook house, bunk house and teepees. The bunk house and teepees have beds; there are hot showers and outhouses. A typical day will consist of breakfast, then four to six hour of riding. Then back to camp for lunch and rest. There will be horseback games, more riding, roping instructions or horse-breaking demonstrations. Your evenings may be spent relaxing around a campfire, playing guitars, singing and watching spectacular sunsets.

Makoshika Breaks Guest Ranch is in Glendive, Montana. Glendive is conveniently located on Interstate 94, 225 miles east of Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana. For reservations and more information call 406-687-3445 or visit www.makoshikabreaks.com.

Skelton Angus Ranch

Skelton Angus Ranch is a year round working cattle and grain operation nestled in North Central Montana where the Big Sky meets the Rocky Mountain Front. The ranch is the place to experience real ranch life. You can enjoy old-fashioned cattle drives with chuck wagons, harvesting grain in modern combines, hunting ring-neck pheasants or enjoying the peace and quiet while viewing the mountains.

The seasonal activities will interest any age and any group of people. Vacations can be customized for your family.

All ranch work is done on horseback.

April and May is for branding calves and is a true cowboy experience. Wrestle, rope, and band some calves yourself. Artificial inseminating of cows begins as well as horse training. June is the perfect time for the family to enjoy Montana with mild weather and the nearby communities are geared up for visitors. Leisure days of sightseeing, horseback riding and gopher hunting are planned. The fall is your chance to be a cowboy. This is the time for gathering the cows, sorting off the calves, and shipping them to market.

Also, there is enjoyable bird hunting of Manchurian ring neck pheasants and snow geese. Places of interest within 75 miles are: Glacier National Park, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Charles M. Russell Art Museum, Egg Mountain Dinosaur Tour, Teton Ski Pass, Freeezout Lake Bird Preserve, Plains Indian Museum on The Blackfeet Reservation.

For reservations and more information call 406-278-7821 or visit www.skeltonangusranch.com.

Off to Canada

Saddle Peak Trail Rides

At Saddle Peak you will enjoy unforgettable pack trips and trail rides by horseback into the stunning beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Saddle Peak is located near Cochrane, Alberta, about halfway between Calgary and Banff and is celebrating their 25th season. From mid May to the end of September is a good time to forget everyday pressures. This is not just a holiday, but a retreat, and outdoor experience by horseback into Alberta's Rocky Mountains. The Ranch offers a variety of trail rides into the beautiful wilderness backcountry of the Canadian Rockies. For visitors who enjoy horseback riding, western hospitality, and great scenery, the ranch has access to over 8,000 acres for your riding pleasure.

Photography trips, fishing trips, hiking trips, and private trips are available.

Saddle Peak Trail Rides offers horseback vacations (pack trips) of 2 days, 3 days, 4 days and 5 days duration. Guests are guided through some of the most spectacular scenery along the Eastern Slopes of the Canadian Rockies, including the renowned Devil's Head Mountain. You couldn't pick a better time to vacation at Saddle Peak because the exchange rate is advantageous to the U.S. traveler. For example: 3 Day Devil's Head Pack Trip is $475 Canadian funds or $325 U.S. approximately. That's $108 per day, which includes meals, tent accommodation, and lots of horseback riding in spectacular country.

Other attractions in this area are white water rafting, Calgary Stampede (July 4-13), Spruce Meadows, and Banff / Lake Louise.

For reservations and more information call 403-932-3299 or visit www.saddle-peak.com.