Left to right: Cindy Valancius, Katie Lundgren, Mark Lundgren
Rebecca Williams
A total of 14 riders from the Horseback Riding Group enjoyed a glorious blue-sky day for their horseback ride on March 7 at Donnelly’s D-Spur Stable in Gold Canyon. This location is about 75 minutes from the Ranch, on the eastern edge of Phoenix. It was a little windy, but riders had a beautiful view of the Superstition Mountains as well as many of the surrounding mountain ranges due to the clear skies.
This time the group had to split into two time slots as interest exceeded the stable’s capacity for group size on the one–hour ride. All rides are at a walk just to enjoy the scenery. Even if it has been a long time since you last rode a horse, you typically will not have any trouble. The group rides at various livery stables around the area. The furthest stable is Gold Canyon at 75 minutes drive time away.
The group’s next ride is at Rancho de los Cerros on Saturday, April 7. Located adjacent to Catalina State Park, riders will hopefully find a few spring flowers as well as enjoy a gorgeous view of the Catalina Mountains. Then the group will go on hiatus over the hot summer months with the next ride planned for Saturday, Sept. 19. Actually, the horses from many area stables also leave, trailering north to Montana, Colorado, and even nearby Show Low to work at stables in cooler climes during the hot summer.
If you are interested in the Horseback Riding Group’s activities, go to the SaddleBrooke Ranch HOA website, “Things to do,” “Clubs.” There in the middle column is a link to the “Horseback Riding Group.” Click on that and you will see more information and the email address to get in contact with the group.
If you would like to participate in a particular ride, you can reserve it on the club’s “Team Reach” site. Just send an email to Club Secretary Rebecca Williams, and she will invite you to Team Reach. There you will see more information on a particular ride. Using Team Reach makes it very easy to make your reservation or cancel if you need to. On Wednesday ahead of the ride further details and directions are posted on Team Reach to help those participating in that weekend’s ride.
You can participate as often as you choose. All rides are usually one hour at a walk, just to enjoy the scenery. The price for each ride varies, but is typically $60 to $80 plus cash tip. We all pay at the stable on the day of the ride. Carpools may also be arranged upon request. Happy Trails!