Glendale Equestrian Club
Sophie Flats Ride Report
South
Buckeye
Equestrain
Center
10300 S. Miller Rd.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
(623) 691-6900
Dunn’s Arena
7653 N. Sarival Rd.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
(623) 535-4846
Dynamite
Arena
27619 N. 42nd St.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 513-7994
P&M Arena
11404 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85207
Downtown
Arena
520 N. Tegner St.
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
Post Arena
Directions to Arena:
I-10 exit 236 take
eastbound frontage
at Chevron 1/2 mile east
at Postvale Rd.
Horseshoe
Park
Equestrian
Center
20464 E. Riggs Road
Queen Creek, Arizona
85142
(480) 358-3710
Horse
Lover’s Park
19224 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
(602) 330-5553
Verde
Valley
Arena
800 E. Cherry St.
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-3290
Prescott
Rodeo
Grounds
840 Rodeo Dr.
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-3103
Tucson
Rodeo
Grounds
4823 S. 6th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85714
(520) 741-2233
S
By Robert Piekow, Events Writer for the
Glendale Equestrian Club
ophie’s Flat was the starting point for seventeen riders
embarking on a cross country trek astride four footed equines.
After a brief stop at Blue tank to tank up the horses we were
off and running. Well, not really running but strolling is more like
it. Tracking mostly north and eastward, the riders were enjoying
spectacular views of the valleys and hills. As we descended a long
hillside, we crossed paths at the pond with the Boyd Ranch Mule
Riders, a large group of riders wearing nametags that were on a
guided ride enjoying a water stop. While we passed, a comment
was made that we didn’t have nametags to which someone said that
real cowboys didn’t need nametags. We didn’t stop as our horses
were recently watered. The trail then took a turn to the east and
down a wash, up and over several hills and small valleys. Our next
stop, which was to water the horses at Goat Ranch, turns out to
be just a windmill water tank. Perhaps there is a ranch associated
with this somewhere. Further along the return trail the horses were
afforded yet another opportunity to slake their thirst at a place
called Pete’s Well. At this point on the ride it was pretty evident
that we were heading back.
The ride became more relaxed and we were able to take in the
magnificent scenery that surrounded us. The desert blooms started
on the floor with bright yellow buttercups and tiny white daisies.
Also very much in evidence were the burnt orange blossoms of
the stately Ocotillo cactus. Stag horn cholla were displaying light
yellow, and occasionally one could feast their eyes on the crimson
beauty of the hedge hog cactus. Arriving back at the trailhead,
everyone attended to their mounts before assembling around some
tables overflowing with such bounty that you would be able to feed
an army. Reuben sandwiches being the main course, but only a
small portion of the menu. If anyone left hungry it was his or her
own fault.
Many thanks to all the
contributors and participants
at our cookout. All in all
a perfect ending to a
great ride.
Corral
West Arena
14401 W. Arena Dr.
Goodyear, AZ 85338
(623) 882-3808
To list your arena email:
[email protected]
AZintheSaddle.com
April 2015
49