|
Next Meeting: TUESDAY March 16, 2010
7:00 PM
REGULAR 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
Hopefully we've had enough
(actually, more than enough) rain to bring out our wonderful desert
flowers. This month we should see delightful gardens on the
trail. Ca
ctus
blooming, those little tiny ground covers and even wild oats the
horses (and mules) love to devour at "break time". I noted
that the palo verde trees are even blooming already.
For those that attended the February meeting I know that you enjoyed
the presentation by Bob Solmon. So many folks think of natural
feet as barefoot and his presentation took us the next step to have
the foot and shoe working together but adding the protection from
our rocks. He showed everyone how to map the foot for proper
shoeing and he had great handouts so we can practice at home.
The program for March will be Curt Laird to tell us about horse
dentistry. Curt has been taking care of equine teeth for more
years than I can remember. Those who use his services rave about
his care of their animals. I'm sure you'll enjoy his talk and
learn a great deal.
Hopefully the word 'cancelled' will leave our vocabulary soon and
hit the trails. We've lost several events this winter and I'm
anxious to see you out on the trail.
Cindy
Cindy Ramsey
President
FROM OUR TRAIL COORDNIATOR
Watch your emails for last minute ride changes due to the ongoing
inconvenience of ‘iffy’ weather. Remember ‘head counts’ alone may
determine the existence of a ride. Either call the ride leader or
respond at
www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org (follow “events”) if you plan
to attend or to cancel your reservations! Remember, not letting us
know of your planned attendance means we cannot inform you in the
event of a cancellation.
Also, ALL rides and events are cancelled when rain is imminent.
Thanks!
We rode some amazing trails and had some amazing
experiences this month, despite the weather. On January 30th
guest leaders Ben D. and Lonnie M. guided 12 of us through the
convoluted hills surrounding Jack Ass Flats for five amazing hours,
to the still-mysterious China Dam. Our leaders were fantastic, true gentlemen cowboys,
cross-crossing unerringly over ever-changing terrain. The dam was,
just for our benefit, in its full glory that day, literally flowing
with waterfalls. (Watch for those big roots at the bottom of the
dam—they are very slippery when wet as Sis and I discovered the hard
way!! Neither of us was injured but that red ‘root’ juice gave me a
minute’s fright!) This is not an easy ride but it is truly a ‘must
do’ for those of you who have not yet ventured out there. I suggest taking a
knowledgeable ride leader with you for your first trip, as I
personally find this a very convoluted and confusing area to
ride—well worth the trouble, though. And, I finally had the pleasure
of meeting long time club member, Jane M. Glad you could and do
continue to join us, Jane.
The Scottsdale Police Mounted Officers at Camelot Therapeutic Ranch
held on February 6th offered a desensitization clinic that was both
fun and highly informative—I’d guess about 25 horses and riders with
twice as many observers attended. The officers were well prepared
and could not have been more helpful and patient and the obstacles
were both practical and creative. (Watch for that horse-eating baby
stroller! One curious but unlucky horse caught it on his headstall
and carried it away, causing quite a little stir before he could be
calmed and it could be removed! In the end no one-no horse was harmed, which is what
matters.) I believe every horse and every rider benefitted from at
least one of the lessons learned. This was an afternoon packed with
information and experience. I hope it proved a great success and is
offered again next year.
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
e off
Thompson Peak Parkway on the east. It is a new trailhead with nice
facilities and is VERY well marked. This access area is the largest
and most significant entry point to the Preserve. The facility has
plenty of parking, restrooms, shade and seating, water fountains and
an equestrian staging area with 16 trailer parking spaces, water
troughs and hitching rails. There is NO fee for parking at this
time. Questions please call Jeannie at 480.473.0378 or email at
jeannie@forstco.ws
or
jeanniepoundcake@hotmail.com
or check the website at
www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org
March 6th:
Badger Springs
10:00 a.m.
Level 3
4 hours
A riding friend, Leah,
something of a seasoned rider in the Badger Springs area, has kindly
consented to drag us around for a few hours. The trails are rocky
and the area is hilly so I do recommend shod and well conditioned
horses. There are facilities, if a lone vault toilet counts as
facilities, but there is no trailhead water access, so do bring
trailer water for your horses and a trail snack. If time allows,
we’ll rest and grab a bite to eat at the mid-way point of the ride,
near the Agua Fria River (which should have water for the horses).
Bring your camera too, as this area is gorgeous and rife with hidden
petro glyphs and critters. The area is very primitive but well worth
the experience. Be prepared for a few off road vehicles the first
mile of the ride, at which point we’ll leave the ‘wider’ path and
the ATVs behind. There is no fee to park.
Directions: off Carefree Hwy
go north on I17 about 30 miles—take the Badger Springs exit and
parking is on your right—you cannot
miss it. Questions please call Jeannie at 480.473.0378 or email at
jeannie@forstco.ws
or
jeanniepoundcake@hotmail.com
or check the website at
www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org
March 27th:
Spur Cross
9:30 a.m.
Level
3
3 hours
Club member Carla Meeske has offered to drag us around a Spur Cross
a few hours in search of petro glyphs and other treasures. With the
amount of rain we’ve had recently, do expect the creek crossings to
be running. Bring a snack for the trail; water SHOULD be available
for your horses. And remember to bring your park entry fee of three
dollars.
Directions: Take Cave Creek Road
to Spur Cross; go north a few miles; the pavement will end (as a
land mark, there is a horse rental facility HERE on the right);
continue on the dirt road, veering to the right as you pass a second
horse rental facility—parking is just beyond the horse pens on the
right. Questions please call Jeannie at 480.473.0378 or email at
jeannie@forstco.ws
or
jeanniepoundcake@hotmail.com
or check the website at
www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org
April 3rd:
General Crook Trail/ Cherry Road
10:30 a.m.
Level 3
4 to 5 hours
Join us for a beautiful
spring ride in the Copper Canyon. Trail conditions are two track
jeep road with a few rocks—nothing serious. The trail is tree lined,
sloped, and borders a hopefully running creek. This is a turn-around
ride. Bring a trail snack and we’ll stop at the creek and visit
before heading back to our trailers. There should be creek water for
the horses but there is NO water at the trailhead. Just as an
fyi, I have NOT ridden this trail yet, though
I am planning a Friday pre-ride this month courtesy of one of our
club members. Fingers crossed I know where we’re going, though it
sounds hard to get lost! (There will be an update as the ride
approaches.) There is no fee for parking.
Directions: I17 north 54 miles to
the 169/ Cherry Road exit (exit 278); turn right onto Cherry Road;
go ¼ mile straight up the hill on dirt road and turn left into the
pullout area. Allow plenty of travel time. Questions please call
Jeannie at 480.473.0378 or email at
jeannie@forstco.ws
or
jeanniepoundcake@hotmail.com
or check the website at
www.cavecreeksaddleclub.org
questions.
OTHER RIDES
NON-CLUB RIDES AND EVENTS
March 20th:
ACTHA McDowell Mountain Park CTC:
in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, this is ACTHA’s third year of
competition at the park. Some attempt will be made this year to
incorporate some ‘natural’ obstacles. The trail is guesstimated at
eight miles in length. Again, for further details or to register,
visit
www.actha.us.
It's election time and we
truly need our members to step up as many of the officers and
volunteers are retiring. Please email Cindy at
cbr4888@aol.com
or give her a call at 480-488-8444 if you would be willing to be a
volunteer for one of our positions next year. Also, if
you would like to suggest someone. There will be an email
coming out in the future asking if you can make a commitment.
Positions needed: President,
Vice President, Treasurer, Trail Coordinator, Activities
Coordinator.
|
