The Heritage Ride was started in 2013 by the Colorado Horse Council – CHC. For the first three years it has been held solely at Greenland Open Space in Douglas County with well over 100 riders and spectators in attendance. This year there will be five Heritage Rides over 2 weekends in Colorado!
If you are new to our area, the Colorado Horse Council was established in 1972 and has been responsible for protecting and promoting the interests of horse enthusiasts throughout the state and nation. Based on a study done by the American Horse Council in 2005, the horse industry accounts for $1.6 billion of our state economy. Much of the work done by CHC is on the government level protecting the interests of the equine industry regarding decision making and the passing of laws and regulations. The role of the CHC is to educate and inform individuals about the equine community, the equine industry and its heritage in the State of Colorado.
Stemming from that heritage is The Heritage Ride. The three main purposes of the ride are:
- To PROMOTE the Heritage of the Horse. Rich and meaningful in Colorado, promoting the equine industry requires continual education in the areas of welfare, training, legal responsibility and cultural understanding.
- To PROTECT the Heritage of the Horse. This encompasses the rights of individuals to enjoy, own and actively use the natural resources and the manmade infrastructure our state has to offer for equestrian activities.
- To DEVELOP the future Heritage of the Horse. This has a meaningful human and financial impact on our state which includes quality of life components that is inherent in the reasons why people choose to live work, work and play in Colorado.
This year the Colorado Horse Council has set the financial goal for The Heritage Ride at $14,000. On two different dates and in 5 locations (so far!) there will be five rides. The $35 / rider entry fee will directly impact the equine industry in Colorado. Lunch is included. There will be vendor booths for perusing and great fellowship with other horse enthusiasts.
The Evergreen Rodeo Association stepped up to host the Jefferson County Heritage Ride in Evergreen the weekend before the Evergreen Rodeo comes to town. The ride will be starting at the Evergreen Rodeo Grounds and take a “trail boss” guided loop through Elk Meadow Open Space Park. Vendors and lunch will be back at the rodeo grounds.
The 5 scheduled Heritage Rides are:
- Sunday, June 12 at 9am 2-3 hour loop through Elk Meadow. $35 per rider (includes lunch). Evergreen Rodeo Grounds – 29830 Stagecoach Blvd, Evergreen, Colorado.
The other 4 scheduled rides are the following weekend on Saturday June 18th at 4 locations:
- Greenland Open Space – Douglas County, CO
- Arapahoe Park – Arapahoe County, CO
- Fort Collins
- Bennett
In addition to riding, there are other ways to support The Heritage Ride.
- Send a representative from your club to ride along with pledges from the clubs members.
- Organizations – Reserve a booth and recruit members to provide educational materials.
- Volunteer to help, even if you are riding!
- Organize a group of your friends to come out to ride together.
- Make this your family ride and enjoy networking with other horse folks.
- Just get out and ride to get your horses ready for the rest of the summer!
For more information, registration forms, directions and pledge forms, go to: ColoradoHorseCouncil.com or text “horses” to “70000”. Colorado Horse Council, 22 S. 4th Ave #106 Brighton, CO 80601. 303-292-4981.
The following weekend (Father’s Day Weekend!), please join us for the 50th Evergreen Rodeo and Weekend Events!
Rodeo Weekend Schedule:
Friday Family Fun Night to benefit Tri-County Elks Little Britches- June 17th 3 PM to 10 PM Adults $10, Children 6-12 years $5, Children under 5 Free!
Saturday Parade – 10AM in Downtown Evergreen
Rodeo Performances Saturday & Sunday – June 18th & June 19th 11 AM – Gates Open, 1PM Pre-Show, 2 PM – Rodeo Start, Online ticket prices are $16 for adults, $8 for kids age 6-12, kids 5 and under are free. Admission is good for either performance. Online ticket sales close on Thursday, June 16th. For more information and tickets, go to evergreenrodeo.com. Volunteers still needed for rodeo weekend – all kinds of fun positions open! Every 2 hour shift receives a free rodeo ticket. Please call or email Marty Unger at 303-204-6442 or skymoma79@hotmail.com.
Heather McWilliams © 2016.
