NEW MEXICO - GILA WILDERNESS WOMENS WEEKS

WINTER SUNSHINE GIRLS - Feb, March and April 2009

COWGIRL CAMP LEVEL 1 for beginners and intermediate riders :

2008 dates February 24-March 1; 23-29 March, 20-26 April, 18-24 May, 15-21 June, 6-12 June, 3-9 August, 12-18 Oct, 2-8 Nov 2008.         

COWGIRL CAMP LEVEL 2 for advanced riders ; 2008     2008 dates  March 2-8, April 6-12, May 11-17, June 1-7, July 6-12, 31 Aug- 6 Sept and 19-25 Oct.     

In this stress-free, phone-free atmosphere,  Cowgirl Camp is an all-inclusive adventurous women's dude ranch week for Beginner and Intermediate Cowgirls of all ages.  Challenge yourself to learn new skills and improve current ones with our patient, knowledgeable wranglers who will teach you basic horsemanship, team penning, barrel racing and roping.  Top it all with learning what it takes to gather cattle and to get them to the branding pen!   Guest Capacity is small -  with an average of 6 to 12, providing plenty of opportunities for plenty of individual attention and instruction. 

Sunday afternoon arrive at the Ranch after 3 p.m. and have supper with us at 6 p.m.  Settle into your cabin.  Now that you're here, feel free to roam around the grounds, familiarizing yourself with your surroundings.  Stretch, relax and refresh yourself after your long journey.  Later, enjoy a 6 p.m. dinner at Headquarters.  Get ready for Monday!

Scenic Trail ride - Participants may have varying levels of riding skill.  Some of you will be complete beginners; some of you might be more advanced.  Most of you will never have experienced this kind of terrain.  Now is the time to ask questions, tell us what your goals are, let us know what kinds of problems you might be experiencing or what you might want to improve.

After a morning spent in the arena, you'll be ready for a relaxing afternoon trail ride.  Because of the unique, varied terrain, expect to make numerous creek crossings, do some climbing or canyon exploration.  This will probably be new country to most of you, so please don't be shy about asking your Wrangler what to do, what to watch for, how to handle it.

Day 1...Horsemanship!   You'll meet at the barn at 7 a.m. to groom, feed and saddle your horse.  A basic horsemanship refresher will build your confidence.  After an 8:30 a.m. breakfast, meet at the back at the barn to saddle up.  Head for the arena and a horsemanship refresher course to make sure you are comfortable with your horse and saddle.

Day 2...Team Penning!  Now that you've got the basics of riding your horse, put your new skills to work!  Your 3-girl team will learn what it takes to sort, cut and track  cattle, moving them from one end of the arena to the other, and into a 3-sided pen. 

It's not always about speed...working cattle slowly is usually the best approach.  In the event there are not enough "cowgirls" signed up for the week, Staff or other guests will help make up teams.

Barrel Racing! Later, experience the basics of Barrel Racing,  and satisfy your need for speed!  Don't worry -- you can walk  the barrels, too!  Remember -- it's all about having FUN and learning

Day 3    Grab your lasso, Cowgirls!  You're gonna learn to rope them doggies! Begin with the basics on the ground, using a hay bale and a roping  dummy.  Our instructors are professional ropers who are happy to show you the correct way to throw and coil a rope.   After lunch, you'll be horseback in the corral safely roping real calves with a  break-away rope! 

Day 4...Round Up   It's what Ranching is all about...are you ready for a Roundup?  Find out what it takes to gather cattle from rugged, brushy country and move them to the branding pen!  It's more than a "trail ride" - but,  you have to find 'em first!   Anyone  having sensitivities with regard to moving and working cattle should please make us aware of this, in advance.  

Day 5...Friday - Relax, Ride    It's Friday, relax!  It's a day just for you.  Hike, swing in the hammock, or explore the surrounding area on horseback, using your newly acquired riding skills. A picnic lunch so you can travel to several Indian Ruins, ride through Hells Half Acre or the experience wonders of Horseshoe Canyon.