Ride for the Mind Competitve Trail Ride and Clinic                                  June 7-8, 2008

To Benefit the National Association on Mental Illness - Colorado Springs

(Type A 2 day/Type B 1 day, plus 1 day clinic)  Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

Clinic:      June 7th, 2008 (Participant Limit 25 - arrive June 7th)

                A Ride (all Divisions):   June 7th and 8th, 2008 (arrive June 6th for check in)

                B Ride (all Divisions):   June 8th, 2008 ( arrive June 7th for check in)

                (Participant limit for A and B Ride combined - 60)

Bring your horse and come join us for a weekend of education, fun and camaraderie with other horse lovers.  If you have always wanted to try your hand at competitive trail riding, this is the time to do it. Learn all about caring for your horse while camping. Riders have the option of entering 1) the clinic only (ride or audit); 2) the clinic and the B ride; 3) the B ride only 4) the A ride only. This ride is a “don’t miss”. The trails are spectacular (and not scary!!). This will be the 32nd year this ride has been held, and the Academy is listed in the book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die  (so a very cool place to see!!)

This ride is being put on as a benefit for the National Alliance on Mental Illness - Colorado Springs (NAMI - CS). NAMI - CS is an all volunteer organization whose mission is to educate families and the public about mentall illness and to advocate for support for people dealing with mental illness. One of NAMI’s major programs is a 13 week course for people who have a loved one dealing with mental illness. These valuable courses are offered FREE to participants.

LOCATION:  We have special permission to camp on a fairly level and spacious spot on the Air Force Academy grounds. There will be porta-potties and horse water only. Bring water for people. No open fires and no smoking on the trails. Certified hay NOT required. 

DIRECTIONS:  Take I25 to exit 150, the Academy Blvd exit. Go west (toward mtns). At the gate, you will be asked for your driver’s license (drivers only). After the gate drive about 2 miles to Pine Dr.(on your left after the bridge - Pine Dr. only goes left - small road sign on the right- it can be tricky). Drive 2.5 miles on Pine Dr, turn left on W Monument Creek Dr. (just past fire station). Follow signs to camp (< ¼ mile). Turn right at the 2nd driveway - house w/ red trim - go past fire training tower. You will be directed to parking. NOTE: THIS AREA IS OPEN TO OUR HORSES AND TRAILERS THIS WEEKEND ONLY.

TRAIL:  The A ride for CP/Novice will be 15 miles on Saturday and Sunday and will be 3.5 mph so you will be back in camp for lunch and done with Saturday’s ride at about 1:00. On Sunday, Novice/CP A and B riders will ride 15 miles at 3.5 mph. The A ride for the Open Division will be approximately 50 miles spread over two days.  We will be offering the Distance Only (DO) class for those of you who would like to enter the ride for mileage only, but not compete. Nights are chilly – a blanket for your horse is recommended.  If this is one of your first competitive rides, please feel free to ask for a mentor by checking the “Like a Mentor” box on the ride application.

SCHEDULE:  Rider “registration” begins at noon on Friday. Horse/rider “check in” for the A ride starts at 2:00 p.m.  Friday and will continue until dusk. Potluck dinner at 7:00 on Friday (grill provided - bring meat to grill and dish to share) with ride briefing to follow for the A Ride. Clinic rider “registration” begins at 8:00 am on Saturday with the lecture beginning at 9:00.  The Clinic will go until approx. 2:30 p.m Saturday.  Horse/Rider “check-in” for the B Ride starts on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until dusk.  Note:  CTR competitors MUST “check-in” as noted, unless prior arrangements are made with management.  Saturday night dinner at 6:00 p.m., with a trail briefing for all competitors to follow at 8:00 p.m.

CLINIC:  Conducting our clinic will be NATRC’s top judges, who will be explaining what NATRC is all about.  They will teach you the fundamentals of competitive trail riding, care of your horse before, on and after a ride, NATRC judging criteria, trailer safety and much more.  Registration for the clinic begins at 8:00 am Saturday morning with lectures from 9:00 - 11:00. At 11:00 you’ll head out on the trail for a practice ride of 5 miles. Then back in camp at 1:00 for a complimentary lunch, review of your practice ride cards, some demos, watch some of the CP (Competitive Pleasure Division) riders check in their horses with the vet judge, and finally, check in your horse for Sunday’s ride for those of you that are staying for the B Ride.

MEALS:  Bring meat/entree to grill and a dish to share for Friday night Potluck. Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch for Clinic participants Saturday.  Saturday breakfast and lunch for A riders will be on your own (we will be back in camp for lunch). Saturday dinner will be in camp after the ride and includes roast chicken, escalloped potatoes, salad, rolls, dessert lemonade or iced tea for $10.00 per person prepared by our very own Chefs, Elaine and Dominique Chavanon, of the famous Colorado Springs Marigold Cafe. Sunday lunch back in camp - burgers and vegi burgers, chips, cookies, ice tea/lemonade $7.00.

AWARDS:  Ribbons will be awarded through sixth place in each division and class, including sweepstakes for open and novice, and combined horse/rider CP.  Include a copy of your horse’s registration papers with the entry form for breed awards as sponsored.  Remember to bring camp chairs for briefings, meals and awards ceremony.  We will use the computerized ride system, which should shorten the time between the end of check out and the beginning of awards.

RULES:  The ride will be conducted under current NATRC rules.  We will be offering the Distance Only (DO) class for those who wish to complete the ride for mileage only.  Colorado law requires that out-of-state horses have current Coggins and health papers. 

JUDGES:  Vet- Patrick Regier, DVM      Horsemanship- Kathy Budd

ENTRY FEES: Clinic $35 with horse; $25 to audit without a horse  (paid in full with entry). Trail Rides - A Trail Ride $ 85 adults and$ 70 junior,  ($35 deposit paid with entry); B Trail Ride $70 adults and $ 60 juniors ($35 deposit paid with entry for B Trail Ride). $10 discount for early bird entry (received by 4/1). $10 discount on B ride for clinic participants. Refunds available (less a $15 administration fee) prior to 5/1. No refunds after 5/01/08. Since this is a ride for a charity, you will get a receipt (for your income taxes) for any forfeited deposits. Make deposit check out to CTR and mail to Susan Peters at address below. Remainder of fees are due at ride.

RIDE MANAGEMENT:

Clinic and Ride Chair/Secretary – Susan Peters, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,17215 Saddlewood Rd., Monument, CO 80132, home (719) 488-2267, cell (719) 439-5669

Emergency number for ride weekend:  Susan Peters Cell (719) 439-5669