The Stroupe family and friends on a ride across the ranch

The labor day holiday was a fantastic weekend on the ranch.  Ranch owners, friends and neighbors made full use of the ranch’s amenities to enjoy the beautiful September weather.  The horses not only toted riders across the ranch trails, but also took our more experienced ranch owners up into the mountians on the nearby rainbow trail to ride through the beautiful pine trees and aspen that are alredy beginning to change color.   The views that the rainbow trail affords are breathtaking, and taking a lunch break in the middle of an open meadow on the side of a mountain, looking out over the Wet Mountain valley, couldn’t be any better. 

Aspen leaves turning gold

Kevin roping the practice steer

Kevin and Cricket both took on the challenge of learning to ride this weekend with our youth riding program, earning their Maytag Mountain Ranch Greenhorn patches. They worked very hard to learn the rules for working around horses, the parts of the horse, how to safely lead a horse, how to adjust their rein length, how to perform circles and changes of direction at the walk, and how to execute a one-handed stop.

Reynolds learning about ranch equipment

Russ and Austin practicing with the roping cattle

Lots of fly fishing this weekend produced excellent results, with the lateral ponds yielding some beautiful fish as well as the Cookhouse and Price ponds. The roping cattle got a workout with Russ and ranch neighbor Austin, while the kids hopped on horses and practiced their barrel racing skills.  The weekend ended with a beautiful campfire and marshmallow roast at the cookhouse lodge beach, where owners new and old were able to relax and catch up with one another.  

Larry and Latigo at the Great Sand Dunes via Mosca Pass

The weather has been perfect for trail riding in the Sangre de Cristos.  Jen has been out hiking and riding some of the nearby trails with her horse Maggie, certifying that trails are safe for our horses and the MMR riders who have proven their horsemanship skills in the arena and on the ranch trails. 

Lakes of the Clouds

The beautiful weather of August made an impressive scene for the wedding of Adam and Jennifer, long time friends of the ranch.  The wedding was held outside of the cookhouse on the shore of the main compound’s pond, a setting that couldn’t have been more beautiful.  The bride and groom had everything organized to perfection including the flowers, caterers, and guest seating.  It was a very memorable event that showcased how well the main compound buildings can work for a variety of events, from seminars to parties to weddings, depending on each individual owner’s wants and desires.