Cave Creek Saddle Club

      P.O. Box 381 , Cave Creek , AZ   85327           www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org

APRIL  2007

Next Meeting: TUESDAY APRIL 17, 2007 7:30 PM
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. from September through May at the Harris Bank (unless otherwise noted in this space).

Directions: The Harris Bank is located on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway outside of El Pedregal.  At the front entrance to the bank, go through the door to your left and down the stairs to the community room.


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Bill Thelander, a past member who was the first Chairman of the Cave Creek Saddle Club when it was initially formed in 1961! Welcome back, Bill, and perhaps you can share some good stories from the past!

As we approach the end of our season in May, I thought it might be prudent to remind all trail riders of being safe and courteous on the trails; don’t be the cause of someone else's misfortune. Try thinking like the horse and keep in mind that horses are prey animals and react as such. Some guidelines to remember:

  • Do not take safe or untrained horses on a group ride.

  • Check all your gear before the ride.

  • Be on time for the group to start out promptly and as unhurried as possible.

  • Horses that kick should be flagged with a red tail ribbon.

  • Do not pass the trail boss.

  • Stay on the designated trail or ride.

  • Never leave a dismounted rider on the trail.

  • Leave gates open or closed as found.

  • Use manners for the "gate person". Do not ride away from the gatekeeper until he/she has remounted.

  • At a drinking spot (lake, pond, stream) wait until horses have had a drink before moving on.

  • Let the person ahead of you know you wish to pass.

  • Do not gallop away or toward the group.

  • If you must dismount, announce so to the trail boss.

  • I think any ride leader would agree, the best trail ride is the one without incident! Happy and SAFE trails!

Susan

P.S. We will have a representative from Purina at our April meeting to talk about equine nutrition. See you there

 


UPCOMING CCSC EVENTS AND RIDES:
All times are subject to change - Please RSVP.
**Rides & Events with asterisks indicate non-CCSC**

Sunday April 1st 10 AM Rated Fun
Cow Sorting
Nancy Doerzbacher 480-575-1012

Saturday, April 7th, 2007 9 AM Rated 3
Lost Dog Wash  Ride
Jean Anderson 602-390-6806

Saturday, April 14th, Right After the Parade
Lunch at Circle D Restaurant in Cave Creek
Jean Anderson 602-390-6806

Saturday, April 21st  10 AM 2007 Rated 2
Cherry Road Ride
Andy Lunk 623-582-8717

Saturday or Sunday , May 5th or 6th 2007**
Tentative Ride Scheduled (location TBD)
Leader TBD ...... Any Volunteers???

Saturday or Sunday May 13th or 14th
Tentative Ride Scheduled (location TBD)
Andy Lunk 623-582-8717


SUGGESTIONS, ANYONE????????

We’re open for suggestions for a ride on either Saturday, May 6th or Sunday May 7th.  So, if anyone has a favorite place & would like to lead a ride, please contact our Trail Coordinator, Bob Doerzbacher, at 480-575-1012.


OFFICERS:

President Susan Dryer 623-465-1374

Vice President Rik Ingram 480-488-8444


Treasurer Cindy Ramsey 480-488-8444

Secretary Jean Anderson 602-390-6806

Trail Coordinator Bob Doerzbacher 480-575-1012

Event Coordinator Nancy Doerzbacher 480-575-1012

Newsletter Jan Blake 480-488-5886

RIDE REPORTS *** RIDE REPORTS *** RIDE REPORTS ***
Please send your ride reports and pictures.

Vulture Peak Ride Report by Jan Blake

Talk about your beautiful views.  This ride sure had the “eye candy”. We had 25 riders that day……22 horses & 3 mules.  Phil started us off with introductions, which was nice.  It’s always good to meet your fellow riders.  Along the way, we passed two smaller groups of riders, who were happy to exchange pleasantries.  Twice we saw deer scampering up the hillsides.  What fun.  Towards the end of the ride there was quite a bit of singing coming from the back of the line.  I had no idea we had such talented people amongst us. 

Thanks to Phil & his lovely “assistant” Nancy for taking us on such a wonderful ride.   

South Mountain Ride Report by Jan Blake

First, let me say a special thanks to Rik Ingram.  He hauled Heidi (my mule) & me all the way out there.  Plus he kept us from getting totally lost on the trail.   

Now, about the ride……In a word……..it was “interesting”.

Fourteen of us set out.  But two had to turn back right away due to lameness issues. 

It was a hot day.  And the flowers weren’t blooming yet.  Even they didn’t want to be out in the heat.  There were a few U-turn along the way.  Plus we cut the ride a little short.

So…..you might wonder why I’m happy that I went on this ride.  And I’d have to say…..because of the people.  There couldn’t have been a nicer group to ride with that day. 

Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!  And thanks again, Rik.



UPCOMING RIDES AND EVENTS

All times are subject to change - Please RSVP

SUNDAY, APRIL 1st 10AM RATED FUN COW SORTING
CONTACT NANCY DOERZBACHER @ 480-575-1012
Come on out & have some fun playing with cows. Larry Maybon has moved. His ranch is now located in the 4500 block of New River Rd. He doesn't have a sign for his ranch yet, but we'll have CCSC signs to direct us.
Directions: Take Carefree Hwy to 7th St. Turn north onto 7th. That will eventually become New River Rd. Stay on New River until you pass Shangri La. (That's quite a distance.) The ranch will be on the west side of the road, 4 streets past Shangri La. Look for the Saddle Club signs. RSVP to Nancy Doerzbacher at 480-575-1012.


SATURDAY, APRIL 7TH  @ 9AM                                                  LOST DOG WASH Rated 3
CONTACT JEAN ANDERSON @ 602-390-6806                             
This ride will be about 2 ½ hours long.  Be sure to bring a snack & plenty of people water.  There will be water available at the park for the horses & mules.  There is plenty of trailer space.  (Drive in – drive out)  The park even has two MOUNTING ROCKS for the vertically challenged.

Please note that our very own, Jean Anderson, helped plan the equestrian part of this park. 

Directions:  Take Shea Boulevard to 124th Street .  Turn left (north).   Keep going north until you run into the park.  (You’ll pass Via Linda, & there is a library on the east side of the street.)

For further info or to RSVP, please contact Jean Anderson @ 602-390-6806.


SATURDAY, APRIL 14TH CAVE CREEK FIESTA DAYS           LUNCH AT THE CIRCLE "D 'RESTAURANT                                    TO HONOR THE HORSE HEROES                                        
CONTACT JEAN ANDERSON @ 602-390-6806
If you’re interested in viewing the parade as a CCSC member, please feel free to find a spot near the Cave Creek Coffee Company. Then please come join the fun at the Circle “D” Restaurant afterwards.  This new restaurant is the site of the old Territorial Bar & Grill.  It’s on the east (right) side of Cave Creek Road .  It’s before the road bends to the right & goes into town.  We’ll be meeting there for lunch to honor the Horse Heroes.   Since most of the Horse Heroes have been club members, let’s all go & give them our support. 

For further into, contact Jean Anderson @ 602-390-6806.


SATURDAY, APRIL 21st  @ 10AM
CHERRY ROAD RIDE Rated 2
CONTACT ANDY LUNK @ 623-582-8717
                                       Andy will be leading a ride to Cherry Hill Road aka General Crook Trail, Copper Canyon segment. The ride is down and back, level 2, and will last around 5.5 hours including lunch. It’s just less than 6 miles one way. Much of the ride follows a stream which crosses the trail a few times.  
Directions:  Take I-17 north to Flagstaff . About 59 miles north of Carefree Highway , take exit 278 Cherry Hill Road . Exit Cherry Hill , turn east (right) and go about 100 yards. On the left will be a parking area. There’s lots of parking on the top of the hill.

For further info or to RSVP, please contact Andy Lunk @ 623-582-8717


ASHA News from Jean Anderson

We had around 680 per day “X” 5, First Graders at the Horse Lovers’ Park for the Second Touch with the Black Stallion Literacy Program. The volunteers manned areas that talked about feed, grooming, hoof care, and a reading station for the book. There were approximately 12 to 15 volunteers, some with horses, who showed up each day. My hat goes off to LeAnn Wertz who coordinated the event. That was a lot of work for her to get & schedule those volunteers.  .
ASHA had a nice Display Booth at AQHA Sun Circuit Show & the All Arabian Horse Show at West World. Our ASHA Membership Chair, Ed O’Brien, scheduled all of the volunteers to man the booths.  Good work, Ed.

Our Board of Directors has been developing our ASHA policies. We’ve been trying to do this for a long time, and have developed several at present; with more to come.

We also have plans to do “A Day at the Races” again on Saturday, October 13th, at Turf Paradise.  So, please mark your calendars! What a fun day it was last time!


HAPPY TRAILS!