Three rides now offered in 2001
APHA takes trail ride program to Philmont Scout
Ranch this spring
FORT WORTHThe American Paint Horse
Association (APHA) recreational riding program will cover exciting new ground
this spring, with the addition of a ride at the Philmont Scout Ranch in
historic Cimarron, New Mexico, April 30May 4.
The addition of the Scout Ranch ride means APHA
will coordinate rides at three locations this year, all within about a
days drive from most of its members. Other rides this year include the
Black River Trail Ride, to be held Aug. 610 in the Ozark foothills of
Lesterville, Mo., and an outing at historic Fort Robinson State Park, planned
Sept. 38 in the rugged Pine Ridge region of northern Nebraska, near
Crawford.
For more than 10 years, trail riders have
signed on for APHA rides that have taken them though some of the most scenic
and historic countryside in the United States. As in previous years,
APHAs goal for this years events is nothing short of creating the
ride of lifetime for participants.
APHA Executive Secretary Ed Roberts is excited
about the opportunity members will have to experience riding in the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains, home of the Philmont Scout Ranch. Set in northeastern New
Mexico, Philmont spans more than 137,000 acres of the most beautiful
countryside in the nation.
We are thrilled to be able to offer
this ride to our members, said Roberts.
While the sights alone are sure to be
breathtaking, riding through the majestic region on horseback is certain to be
an unforgettable experience for those who attend.
It was the desire to create memorable riding
opportunities that led Roberts and Ride Coordinator Pat Meade to establish the
first American Paint Horse Association trail ride in 1991. The popularity of
the rides, held from 19911995 in Missouri, and from 19962000 in
Nebraska, prompted the association to expand its program to three rides this
year.
There have been so many people who
have enjoyed these rides that we wanted to place the activities in areas that
were within about 500 miles of our members, said Roberts.
The executive secretary cited a poll showing
that half of APHAs 100,000 members consider recreational riding to be
their main activity with their Paint Horse.
We are committed to reaching out and
serving those riders, said Roberts.
In addition to its trail rides around the
country, APHA also serves members with its Ride America® program. While
participating in this innovative saddle-log program, members earn rewards and
recognition for their individual achievements riding an American Paint
Horse.
When riders enroll in Ride America, they
receive an official time log and a Ride America patch. They record each hour
spent riding their American Paint Horse, and as they move through seven
achievement levelsfrom 100 to 3,000 hoursAPHA records their
accomplishments and rewards them with special patches. Depending on the number
of hours accumulated, participants can also earn saddlebags, halters, lead
ropes and saddle pads.
APHA also promotes recreational riding through
the free distribution of its Guide to Recreational Riding.
The 36-page guide is packed full of useful
information, from the importance of keeping horses in good condition to
commonsense safety guidelines. The booklet also contains valuable tips on tack
and equipment, saddling up, riding manners, trailering a horse and general
horsemanship. The guide also has a special section on trail riding.
Whether theyre riding with us in
New Mexico, Nebraska or Missouri, gaining hours in our Ride America®
program, or just riding along the trails in their hometowns, we want to help
people do what they enjoy, said Roberts.
Theres a bonding that extends not
only from person to person, but from rider to horse. The underlying foundation
for someones enjoyment of trail riding is that persons relationship
with his horse. Its so basic, especially when you consider that the
founding of this country is so closely tied to the relationship of man and his
horse.
We want to help people capture
that experience.
For more information on APHAs
recreational riding program, or to receive the free Guide to Recreational
Riding, write or call:
APHA Ride Coordinator
American Paint Horse Association
P.O. Box 961023
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023
Phone: (817) 834-2742, extension 773
Information on the APHA Ride America program
can be accessed on the associations Web site at
http://www.apha.com/programs/rideamer.html
For information on the rides in New Mexico and
Nebraska, call APHAs ride coordinator at (817) 834-2742, extension 773.
Specific information on the Black River Trail
Ride, in Lesterville, Missouri, can be obtained by calling the Wilderness Lodge
at 573-637-2295.
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