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October 2009                                   Newsletter Archive

Next Meeting: TUESDAY  October 20, 2009 7:00 PM

NEW MEETING LOCATION:

Foothills Community Foundation (FCF)Holland Community Center34250 N. 60th Street, Bldg. B Scottsdale, AZ 85266

Located on 60th Street, south Carefree Highway. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM from September through May (no meeting in December). All meetings will be held at the Foothills Community Foundation – Holland Community Center in their activities room unless otherwise noted.

FCF Holland Community Center

http://www.azfcf.org/



PRESIDENTS LETTER

Finally, it's fall.  I thought it would never get here.

Our first meeting was such a great event.  The new location, Foothills Community Foundation, is absolutely great.  Working with Bre and Barbie is so easy and we were delighted to have one of their board members, Louise Rosenburgh talk to the 'over 30' members that attended.  The FCF has so many facets, if you weren't able to attend and would like to know more about these wonderful folks please go to their website http://www.azfcf.org.

Please plan to attend the October 20th meeting and meet Sgt Bryan Brown from the Scottsdale Mounted Police.  He will be presenting a program about the mounted unit.

The month of October has so many events you'll never get the trailer unhooked before it's time to go again.  Jeannie has found that there are so many people interested in the weekday pre-rides that she's going to start scheduling them also.  She's done so much trail research we'll be seeing all sorts of new territory.  In the meantime her counterpart Jan Blake is organizing things too.  First was the fish fry and now we get to dress up for Halloween.  I know you'll really enjoy the Christmas party.  But wait, it's only October. 

Quick, go saddle up and lets RIDE!  See ya on the trail.

Cindy Ramsey

President

ps.  Go to the website frequently to check out the events you can sign up for.  Use the classified ads and take a look in case you can help someone find a horse, trailer ride or you want to sell some horsey item.  If you want to place an ad please email it to me.


FROM OUR TRAIL COORDNIATOR

And so the season finally begins! I hope we take this opportunity to explore together some of the amazing trails our state has to offer. I guarantee we have some eye-popping locales coming up, fluctuating between Saturdays and Sundays and WEDNESDAYS, ranging from levels two to four. You’ll notice more northern rides placed on the calendar in the initial months—I’m searching for cooler climes and hoping we can get in lotsa new, northerly trails before snow hits and we’re forced to explore closer to home (which will be fun too).

Jeannie Forst & Hey Sista Sol


UPCOMING CCSC EVENTS & RIDES:
All times are subject to change – Please RSVP on the website

 

* All ride times given are "in the saddle"

Oct: 5th  Monday    get those Town of Cave Creek Equestrian Open Space Exploratory Trail Ride applications in BY TODAY!!!

Oct. 10th  Saturday   9:30 a.m.                                     CAVE CREEK OPEN SPACE EXPLORATORY TRAIL RIDE Level 2     5 hours

This is a newly annexed and rezoned “Open Space Lands” set of trails within the Town of Cave Creek. It is a guided tour of the trail system, with a turn-around picnic lunch at the Roger’s Wash annexation area. After lunch horses and riders will return to their starting points. Be at the starting point of your choice by 9:00 a.m. to ensure parking. If you do not yet have your reservation form you can pick one up at 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd or call 488-1400 (Teresa Vine or Bambi Muller) for information. For further details, check our website at www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org

Oct. 18th  Sunday 9:30a.m. sharp      SOPHIE’S FLAT/ HASSAYAMPA RIVER TO BOX CANYON    Level 4      4-5 hours

Donna Russ has kindly volunteered to guide us from the newly dedicated trail head, Sophie’s Flat in Wickenburg, to Box Canyon in the Hassayampa River. The ride begins promptly at 9:30a.m. Parking is very generous at the trailhead and porta potties are available. Water for your horses may be available but is NOT a given, so come prepared. This is rated a level 4 ride due to the steep ups and downs along the trail but there are no literal ledges. The views are worth it and the scenery is spectacular. Because of the ‘ups and downs’ of the trail, this ride is a workout so your horse should be in good condition with consideration given to his/her feet due to the rocks we will encounter along the trail. Donna has noted this as a five hour ride including a relaxing lunch at the river. Bring your own lunch.

Directions: Take Carefree Hwy west; turn right on US 60; turn right on El Recreo Rd. (just before McDonald’s). Drive two miles past the well marked Rodeo Grounds. The pavement will end, the road becoming dirt. At the Sophie’s Flat sign, turn (veer) left and proceed about 1.4 miles to the trailhead. You cannot miss it. Warning: this road, while maintained, can be very rough in spots but it is but safely passable; also, one hill in particular, and you’ll know it when you see it, requires steady momentum. Because of the condition of the road, allow PLENTY of time for travel. Questions: contact Donna Russ at 480-488-2125 or at mulefuel@earthlink.net  Sign up at www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org  so we know to watch for you.

Oct.21st   Wednesday    10.a.m.      PEAVINE RAILS-TO-TRAILS AROUND WATSON LAKE, PRESCOTT Level 2     4-5 hours

We are riding the Peavine Trail out of the Sundog Ranch Trailhead.  We are going to LOVE this trail. This is an extremely easy, level two only for distance, eight mile turn-around ride that follows one of the few Rails-to-Trails project roads originally built by the Santa Fe Railway in 1893. Expect outstanding views of Watson Lake and Granite Dells (intended as a train bridge, one short section of ‘road’ actually crosses over Watson Lake!). The ride will take approximately four hours, with a stop along the lake for lunch. Pack your lunch and your camera. Water is available for the horses and vault toilets are available near the trailhead. For additional information contact Jeannie at 480-473-0378 or jeannie@forstco.com

Directions: go 38 miles on I 17 to Exit 262 AZ-69 West; go 32 miles on AZ69 to Prescott Lakes Parkway, turn right; in two miles turn right onto Sundog Ranch Road; the trailhead is just ahead on the right.

 Oct. 31st  Saturday   10:00a.m.         CAVE CREEK RECREATION PARK/ HORSE IN COSTUME RIDE Level 2    2 hours

Our creative event planner, Jan Blake, while busy planning our club costume party, has graciously volunteered to lead a short ‘horse in costume’ ride through the Cave Creek Recreational Park. This is a two+ hour, level 2 ride, wherein we plan to ‘trick/treat or torment’ hikers and any other creatures we meet along the way; the twist—we will be passing out kid, horse and doggie goodie bags to all we meet, provided by Jan and friends. Get as creative as your horse will allow; have fun! We only live once and our horses are only with us a short time. Do please remember this is a family park and keep your costumes, at least for the day outing, appropriate for the setting.

Directions: From Cave Creek Rd take Carefree Hwy to 32ndSt.; follow the signs north to the park entrance. There is a ranger/pay station and the fee is $6.00 per vehicle. Stay on the road all the way to the keyhole end; turn left into the graveled parking area. Parking is limited so please be courteous of your fellow travelers. Water is available to the horses although you must provide your own bucket. Toilets are also available. Questions: contact Jan Blake at 480-707-8211 or jblake@aol.com.    Sign up at www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org so we know to look for you.

 

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 - Jeannie Forst  480-473-0378

Event Coordinator - Jan Blake 480-707-8211

Newsletter - Sandy Luedke 623-262-1623

Website - Andy Lunk 623-582-8717

 




UPCOMING CCSC EVENTS & RIDES:-CONTINUED
All times are subject to change – Please RSVP on the website

Nov 1st     Sunday    10:00 am

TEAM SORTING CLINIC WITH LARRY MAYBON

10:00 am in the saddle and ready to go! 

Location: at Larry's Ranch (not previous location), 43512 N. 14th Street

Directions from Carefree Hwy:  North on 7th Street New River Road to Circle Mountain Road. Turn east on Circle Mountain, go to 14th Street and turn right to 43512.

Cost:   $30 per person with encouragement and instruction from Larry.   Minimum 10 - Maximum 30.  Waiting list will be used after we fill up.  Your reservation is a guarantee to show up.  If you cannot come, please call and let me know so someone else can have your place.

Other Info: Plenty of parking-----Bring a sack lunch and water for break time

No Dogs - No Children  at the request of ranch owner!

To Reserve your spot go to the website at www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org  - click on events and sign up - or Call Rik Ingram  480-488-8444

Nov 3rd    Tuesday                                               Applications for the Arizona Horse Council (formerly ASHA) McDowell Mountain  7thAnnual Poker Ride/Trail Ride/ Catered lunch MUST be submitted and paid. Please contact John Manes at 480.473.8996 for additional information.

Nov. 4th  Wednesday          10.00 a.m.

STONEMAN LAKE     Level 2˝      4-5 hours

 Nov. 14th   Saturday

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. sign in for a 9 a.m. ride    

AZ HORSE COUNCIL (ASHA) MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN 7THANNUAL POKER RIDE/ TRAIL RIDE/ CATERED LUNCH   Level 3 (Pemberton Loop)     4-5  hour ride

Nov. 21nd  Saturday 

China Dam

Dec. 5th     Saturday  

ACTHA  Bumble Bee  

Dec. 12th   Saturday  

Christmas Ride Saguaro Lake Ranch


FROM OUR ACTIVITIES COORDNIATOR

Hi Everyone,

The first event we had this month was the Old Fashioned Weenie Roast after the October 3rd Moonlight Ride. We had a great fire, thanks to Rik Ingram's son, Benny.  We also had some good eats, and a great group of people.  Everyone seemed to have a really good time.  If you missed it, we hope you can make it to our next event.  

The other October event we have planned is a Costume Dinner on Halloween (Saturday, 10/31/09), 6:30PM at El Encanto Restaurant in Cave Creek. Hopefully, everyone will arrive in costume. But if you're not so inclined, please come anyway...even if it's just to make fun of those of us who will be in costume. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Thursday, 10/29/09, as we will need to give the restaurant a final count for our reservations.

Please set aside December 12th for our annual Christmas Ride & Luncheon. We'll be riding at Saguaro Lake Ranch this year. Further details will be provided in the next newsletter.

Please RSVP for the October events via the CCSC web site, or call me at 480-707-8211.

Thanks much.  Happy Trails,

Jan


Sept. 27th  River Ride report

First, let me clarify ride times to avoid further confusion.  Times stated on the calendar are READY in the saddle times!  I will do my best to be on site 30 minutes prior to each ride to place signs, etc. Because of my confusion, while we had 13 members show for Saturday’s ride, we ended up divided into two distinct groups of ‘nine’ and ‘four’ that did not cross paths! Glad all report having a good time, regardless.

Sandy led her group of four on their big adventure and for the most part Forrest lead our group of nine. The shaded trails down to the water were so overgrown we had to abandon trail twice and still Jan Blake ended up with a nose wound and what appeared a perfect, plum sized, bloodied bullet hole to the back. (Needless to say, a few of us are headed back with branch clippers this week!) And the water levels, while stunning, were easily as high and mighty as I’ve seen them in 20 years, so Donna O’Connell (perfectly blinged in green I am to acknowledge) takes personal credit for “saving our collective lives” by refusing to cross, despite Donna half convincing one of our newer members, 16 year old Dawn Decotis, of a just-missed Dairy Queen on the other side of the river. I think, at least for our nine and despite all the unexpected obstacles and encounters that included an artificial deer (that concerned ALL the equids) and bow hunters, a good time was had by all. We laughed a lot; while Jan’s back looked bad no one got seriously hurt; all the horses/mules remained sound (AND ventured into the water!) and we made it back to the trailer before we actually melted in the unrelenting heat-- sounds like a successful ride to me. I sincerely apologize to Sandy and her fellow riders for the ‘time’ confusion and have my fingers crossed their group had as good a time as we did and that we DO all connect next time out!

Jeannie & Sister

Forrest, Aisha, Donna, Krystal and Dawn in water at end of 9-27th river ride

 
 

AHC (Arizona Horse Council) formerly ASHA. Our name has indeed changed. We felt that the name now better fits what we are accomplishing.

We held our first equine summit last October 2008, and our second is in the works. Out of this first summit came the following: We now have a lobbyist.

We have passed a legislative bill that asks that all legitimate equine rescuers register with the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

We are one of the sponsors for the Arizona Equine Youth and Career Fair that is being held in Queen Creek at the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre on October 3rd and 4th, 2009.

Also, many of our officers and members worked
long and hard, along with others, to pass the new Maricopa County Equine Text Amendment which makes legal many rights for horse people. 
When you think about it, we HAVE accomplished a lot!

Also formed was a 501C3 foundation, called the ASHA-Equine Education & Research Foundation, formed for the specific reason to be able to continue with the Arizona Equine Economic Report, and  further, to give scholarships and support the equine literacy programs.
For more information go to our website www. azasha.com.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for our ride in the McDowells, Saturday, November 14th, 2009. Reservations MUST be made in advance, to John Manes. See details elsewhere in this newsletter.

Happy & Safe Trails.

Jean