November 2008 Newsletter Archive

Next Meeting: TUESDAY November 18, 2008 7:00 PM
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. from September through May at the Harris Bank (unless otherwise noted).

Directions: The Harris Bank is located on the SE corner of Scottsdale Rd. & Carefree Hwy. At the front entrance to the bank, go through the door to your left & down the stairs to the community room.

PREZ SEZ

Thanks - Giving!

November is here and it begins a time when we are all so very grateful for many people, animals and in general things that surround us. Horseback riders can be thankful for a good horse, beautiful countryside, great friends and community. Let's take a minute and enjoy the events planned for November. Join us for the fish fry at Harold's on the 14th. Mount up in friendship as we share the trail with the Lone Rangers on the 15^th-16th or the Tonto Forest Camp Creek ride on the 22nd.

Even if you don't get to these events - go hug your horse and thank him/her for taking you on many beautiful trails.

Wishing all of you a Thanksgiving of sharing and friendship.

Cindy

PS. Don't miss the meeting on November 18th to listen to Amy Ford from the Cave Creek Recreation Area.

Activities sponsored by some of our fellow clubs

Nov 1 Sat Anthem Equestrian Trailhead Inaugural Ride by ASHA

9:00 am Coffee, water and snacks 10:00 am Ride for 3-4 hours

New trailhead opened at Desert Hills Drive/ 11^th Ave. Next to Daisy Mountain Fire Station. The 2.5-acre trailhead contains eight granite parking spaces, ten horse trailer parking spaces, a water trough and two hitching rails. Contact person: John Manes DiamondMRanch99@hotmail.com

Nov 1 Sat New River Kiwanis Poker Ride

8:30 am Larkyn Memorial Arena. $20 for ride and lunch. Several prizes. Silent auction raffle. 623-337-2067 Noll_10@msn.com

Proceeds benefit the Larkyn Memorial Arena at the New River Kiwanis Park.

Nov 8 Sat Horses Help 4^th annual “Big Bad Barn & Yard Sale” 5:00PM

Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction & Yard Sale!

2601 E. Rose Garden Lane - Phoenix

Tickets $50 PP for dinner (Includes 20% off of yard sale purchases!)

Yard Sale Hours: November 8^th & 9^th Sat & Sun: 7AM until 2PM-Open to the public.

Nov 8^th Sat Night: 4 pm – 7 pm Dinner guests only

Horses Help is a premier accredited therapeutic and recreational agency that serves the special needs population by providing activities to empower them to break through physical, cognitive and emotional barriers.

WE STILL NEED YARD SALE ITEMS!!!

Donations are tax deductible Tax code: 501 (c )(3) Fed. ID: 74-2477097

Tickets by reservation only: www.horseshelp.org or contact 602-569-6056

November 8, 2008 Celebrate the new trailhead at Sophie's Flat.

The Wickenburg Conservation Foundation is determined to save the trails around Wickenburg and finally, with invaluable help from the BLM, the first of several non-motorized trail systems will open with rides, hikes, a fabulous barbecue, entertainment, free raffle tickets and loads of fun.

We hope you will all come out to show your support for the WCF's work to preserve our wonderful outdoors. Marcy will send you a map when you register.

Come one, come all!! Sophie's Flat is less than 5 miles NE of Wickenburg (3 miles on Constellation Road and 1.5 miles on Blue Tank Road)

Please pass along to everyone that space is limited at the trailhead so the larger clubs/groups that may have more than 15 riders are encouraged to

either share trailers or use the day use parking and/or overnight campground across the street from the rodeo grounds off of Constellation Road (managed by the Town of Wickenburg). It is free for day use

parking and $5.00 per campsite at the campground (no facilities) which accommodates approx. 3 truck w/trailers or RVs. First come first served.

Anyone interested should contact me to get a map of the horse trail that will take them from the parking area to Sophie's Flat which is less than 2 miles.

Penny Foreman

Penny_Foreman@blm.gov

Nov 9 Sun FREE BBQ at Adam Trenk house 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

All CCSC members are invited to a free BBQ at member Adam Trenk’s house. 6913 E Highland Road in Cave Creek. RSVP not necessary but appreciated to atrenk@amtenterprises.biz 602-402-3335

Nov 15 Sat Margarita Trail Ride Committee Silent Auction 7:30 pm Harold’s Cave Creek Corral

Live entertainment with the Crown Kings. Raffle and Silent Auction. Money raised will benefit the Wendy Paine O’Brien Center at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital.

Nov 17 Mon Cave Creek Town Council Public Hearing 7:00 pm Cave Creek Town Hall

Please attend this important meeting to help CCSC member, TC Thorstenson, gain approval for a Cave Creek Cultural Center and Equestrian Arena. Each person should sign a card upon arrival at the meeting to let them know you are in support of TC’s project. Questions call TC at 602-Buffalo.

Nov 20 FREE Vaquero Horsemanship Demo 7:00 pm

FREE Vaquero Horsemanship demo by noted clinician/instructor Paul Dietz. This will take place at Horse Lovers Park (located on North Tatum Boulevard, 1.4 miles north of Bell Road, just north of the Central Arizona Project Canal and just south of Hwy 101.) Paul is a gifted horseman and we know you'd enjoy this. Attendees at this evening demo will enjoy watching and learning about the Vaquero methods. Gear, dress and saddles will be on display and Paul will demonstrate on horseback the traditional methods he uses in his horsemanship and how they can benefit the modern horse and horse owner.

3 Riders needed for Cave Creek Christmas Pageant!!!!

Friday Dec 5^th evening - practice Sat & Sun Dec 6^th & 7^th evening performances.

Looking for 3 riders to dress as the Three Wise Men and arrive on horses (instead of camels!) to present the gifts to Baby Jesus in the annual Cave Creek Christmas Pageant.

Please contact Rhonda Dimmick by phone (623-670-9816) or email at rdimmick@central.com and she will put you in touch with the appropriate people.

OFFICERS:

President - Cindy Ramsey 480-488-8444

Vice President - Donna Russ 480-488-2125

Treasurer - Nancy Doerzbacher 480-575-1012

Secretary - Jean Anderson 602-390-6806

Trail Coordinator - Greg LaCosse 602-840-9578

Event Coordinator - Barb Ciocchetti 623-465-5455

Newsletter - Rhonda Dimmick 623-670-9816

Website - Andy Lunk 623-582-8717

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

GREG’S RIDE REPORTS:

Granite Mountain Reservoir Ride

Though it was a bit of a drive for a day ride, it was well worth it. The weather couldn't have been better, actually a little warmer than expected. There was great changing scenery throughout the ride which was especially nice in the canyons with the leaves turning. The ride was about 4 hours with a half hour lunch break. See the ride pictures on the website. Thanks to all that came.

UPCOMING CCSC EVENTS & RIDES:

All times are subject to change – Please RSVP.

**Rides & Events with asterisks indicate non-CCSC**

November 14 Friday Fish Fry at Harolds; Cave Creek

November 15 Saturday Co-ride with Lone Rangers in Cave Creek Coordinated by Greg LaCosse

November 18 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting at Harris Bank

November 22 Saturday Seven Springs Ride & sub-sandwich Party Led by Donna Russ

November 29 Saturday Pizza Party Cancelled

December 6 Saturday Christmas Ride & Party Catered by Cave Creek Outfitters Rio Verde

January 20 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting at Harris Bank Guest Speaker: McDowell Sonoran Preserve; Equestrian park Steward Volunteer program

February 19 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting at Harris Bank

November 14 Friday Fish Fry at Harolds; Cave Creek 6:30 pm

Social get together! Come meet fellow CCSC members. Reservations required by Thurs Nov 13 on the website or call Barb Ciocchetti at 623-465-5455

November 15 Saturday Co-ride with Lone Rangers

Cave Creek Coordinated by Greg LaCosse

We will do a fun ride on some beautiful trails in Cave Creek. We’ll ride down a big, sandy wash to the creek, then north to some super trails on state land, then back to town on the new horse trail. Thanks to CCSC member, TC Thorstenson for hosting us at his arena. Check his website & support his project at www.buffaloexpress.com 602-Buffalo

Directions: Cave Creek Rd through the town of Cave Creek to Vermeersch Rd, just east of the Hammerhead Jacks Restaurant. North on Vermeersch Rd about 100 yards to the big arena. Follow the signs and park near the rear of the property where indicated. There is a lot of room, all level easy parking. Please bring trash bags to remove your manure before you leave.

Check out the website for the Buffalo Chip: http://www.buffalochipsaloon.com. You may want to visit after the ride!

November 18 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting

Harris Bank Guest Speaker: Amy Ford; Park Supervisor at Cave Creek Recreation Area

November 22 Saturday Seven Springs Ride & sub-sandwich Party

Ride out time: 10:00 am

Led by Donna Russ 480-488-2125

This is a level 2 ride with good footing. Some up and down hills, anybody can do this ride! There is one step-over on this ride. Bring a snack for the trail, and we will have sub sandwiches and drinks when we get back to the trailers for lunch. Cost $5 per person for lunch.

RSVP by November 20 on the website or call Barb Ciocchetti 623-465-5455.

Directions: from Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway. Go north on Cave Creek Road and it will turn eastbound as you enter Cave Creek and you continue east as you go through Carefree also. This continues east as you cross Scottsdale Rd (aka Tom Darlington)and Pima Road (for anyone coming from the south). From Pima Road it's 7 miles to parking lot. You'll see the Bartlett Lake turn off - DO NOT TAKE IT! The road curves north toward Seven Springs. There's a golf course on your right, Tonto Hills on the left. Continue thru several small washes and when you come to the GRANDDADDY of WASHES and a very tight 15 mph switchback prepare to turn right. There's a dirt road immediately (marked FH1058) just after the wash. Take it to the right and a short ways down there's lots of dirt to park on the left.

November 29 Saturday Pizza Party - Cancelled

This pizza party may be rescheduled at a later date. It was cancelled due to Thanksgiving weekend.

December 6 Saturday Christmas Ride, Party & Gift Exchange 10:00 am Catered by Cave Creek Outfitters Rio Verde

Menu: Pulled Pork/Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Red Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Cowboy Beans, Peach Cobbler with Ice Cream, coffee, sodas and water. $15 per person for members and $20 for non-members/guests. (Rental horses are available for $30 by calling 480-471-4635.) Reservations and payment required by December 1st, 2008.

Reserve your spot on the website or call Barb Ciocchetti at 623-465-5455. Mail payment by Dec 1^st to:

Cave Creek Saddle Club c/o: Christmas Party PO Box 381 Cave Creek, AZ 85327

Bring a gift valued at $20 if you want to participate in a fun gift exchange!

Directions: Take Dynamite Rd east (turns into Rio Verde Drive) to 144th Street; turn North (which is left) and go to the end of 144th. CC Outfitters is on the east side. There is some parking in the back, down their dirt road and more parking on Lone Mountain Road.

January 20 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting at Harris Bank Guest Speaker: McDowell Sonoran Preserve; Equestrian Park Steward Volunteer program.

February 19 Tuesday 7:00 pm Meeting at Harris Bank

We are looking for suggestions for a guest speaker

Night Riding (excerpts taken from article by Jennifer Nice)

Horses have excellent night vision, especially if there is some ambient light present from the moon and stars. Although the equine eye takes longer to adjust to changes in light than the human eye, horses are able to maneuver at night just as well as they do during the day once their eyes acclimate to the dark. Your horse should adjust easily to night riding, but you may encounter some problems yourself. One problem you may encounter is eye strain and the other is vertigo. When little or no light is available, focus on your horse’s ears. Even if they are dark-colored, they will still be close enough for you to see their outline. Attach a few glow sticks or a red LED light to the front of your horse’s breast collar or to the bottom of the cinch. This will provide enough light to illuminate the ground just beneath your horse and will not interfere with your horse’s night vision. Secure both ends of the glow sticks with a strip of duct tape so they don’t swing. You can also attach miniature glow sticks (no more than one inch long) near the dock of your horse’s tail with transparent tape. This will help you stay a safe distance from the horse in front of you, but they are small enough to prevent their light from being annoying. Never wear a headlamp. It will interfere with your horse’s night vision and the movement of the light may actually spook your horse. Carry a small flashlight in your saddle pack. It will come in handy if you need to read a trail sign or make a tack adjustment. You should wear reflective gear and/or light-colored clothing. Remember, because a horse’s eyes adjust very slowly to changes in light, it may take as long as 10 to 15 minutes to regain his normal night vision after seeing car headlights. Remember, your horse can see just fine in the dark and probably knows the way home, even if you don’t!

HAPPY TRAILS!