Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course

08/20/2026

This El Paso County Parks tool trailer has your name written all over it!

The trailer supplies "all the things" needed to help maintain the skills course.... gloves, shovels, rakes, garbage bags, etc. We just need you!

Can You Join Us this Saturday, August 22nd, from 9am til 11am? ( time can be adjusted to earlier to beat the heat if needed)

The equestrian skills course is free to use.

The equestrian skills course is maintained by volunteers, not the parks dept.

The equestrian skills course is in need of a little w**d whacking and obstacle repair to keep it in shape, especially during the summer months.

The equestrian skills course wants horsemen to take ownership and enjoy it as it truly is a one of a kind course on public land.

So, bring your hubby, bring your kids, bring a friend, bring youself and let's spiff it up!!

Please let us know if you can join in by leaving a comment on this post OR reach out to Allison at 7 one 5 three 7 7 two six 9 7.

We'd love to rally 6 to 8 volunteers for a couple hours.

Please Share too!

08/20/2026

Disease Outbreak!!

Be Safe Everyone!

August 13, 2026 — Disease Outbreak Alert ID: 5129

One new confirmed case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) has been identified in La Plata County, Colorado. The affected equine premises is under official quarantine. All confirmed cases in the 2025–26 outbreak have been the VSV New Jersey virus (VSNJV) serotype.

For the latest disease alerts and updates:
https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts

08/19/2026

Weeds, w**ds, w**ds!

Can you see the trail? We know we can't!
The beginner and intermediate switchback trails on the skills course need a little love.

We know it's not a glamorous job. But we'd love to finish what we started this past workday and gets the wild, crazy w**ds lobbed off and cleaned up.

Can You Help This Saturday, Aug 22?

We'd love it if you could!

Two hours time..... that's what we're asking for!

All age groups welcome!

Pleasa reach out here if you can help!!
Please Share!!

08/18/2026

Drum Roll Please!

We've got some new signs up on the event center grounds to direct you to the truck and trailer parking area and to the equestrian skills course!

Don't they look great?

More signs going up in the next few weeks so be patient as we get them placed.

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Our small but dedicated team got some repairs to the skills course completed this past workday, as well as, cleared w**ds on the advanced switchbacks.

We've still got work to do this month! Can anyone come this coming Sat, Aug 22nd to help in the morning? How bout a week night next week?

Reach out if you can help. It would be greatly appreciated.

08/15/2026

Skippity Do Dah and a Big Yeehaw!
It's Sure To Be Fun, Heehaw, Heehaw!!

Anyone able to help at the skills course work morning tomorrow? 930 am til Noon!

We are short on people, long on maintenance.
We could start earlier if anyone wants to come out and beat the heat!

Reach out here on this post or text/call Allison at 7 one 5, three 7 7, two, 6, nine, 7.

Please Share!!

08/13/2026

Sharing some trail and parking improvements at a few local El Paso County Parks, Pikes Peak Region, Colorado!!

Big kudos to the El Paso County maintenance department and all their hard work!

08/12/2026

Repairs Needed!

Can You Join Us This Coming Saturday, Aug 15th For A Few Hours Out On The Course?

We'll start at 9:30am, or earlier to beat the heat, and go til about noon.

Elementary and High School kids welcome with adult supervision. We've got lots to do!

We'd sure appreciate any help from individuals or groups to keep this course in shape.

Reach out on FB to let us know you can help!

08/09/2026

The Friends of the Equestrian Skills Group IS NOT, I repeat NOT, out in the mountains clearing trails!

But one of our past board members and continued supporter, Rob Rickgauer, is down in the Sangre de Cristos with a group of horsemen riding near Lake of the Clouds and clearing trail as they go. We are lucky to have several groups of horsemen who help to clear trails around Colorado on a regular basis. If you are interested in being part of a group that does this alongside a nice trail ride, check out Front Range Back Country Horsemen, Rocky Mountain Back Country Horsemen, and Back Country Horsemen of Colorado.

Here's a little AI generated info about the Lake of the Clouds where these pictures were sent from by Rob --

"a stunning subalpine and alpine cluster of three glacial lakes sitting at roughly 11,500 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness near Westcliffe, Colorado. Reached via an 11-mile round-trip hike with over 2,400 feet of elevation gain, the route follows Swift Creek and offers dramatic views of nearby 13er peaks like Cloud Peak and Spread Eagle Peak"

Go Check It Out! Most likely, you'll have smooth sailing on the trails that have been cleared by some amazing horse people!!

And let's not forget Rob! He is always leading the charge helping on the trails, on the skills course, at the rodeos, at parades, at mounted shooting events, etc.!!

Thank You Rob! You are very appreciated.

Get Out 'N Ride!!