Event Phone: 587.394.7674
Trail & Cowboy Challenges
For adults or kids who enjoy the wide open spaces, do some pleasure riding, English riders who want to try Western riding, OR locals that want to haul in and have a fun group of others to try new obstacles and cowboy challenges!
We meet (weather permitting) to catch and tack up, then we head out on trails to move cows, chase in fence crawlers, chase out a bull, or whatever ranch riding needs done. This year some of our cattle are involved in an IVF program, so we will be bringing cattle in and out for their treatments, offering lots of opportunity to work cow, gates and sort. We continue to add on to our Cowboy Challenges and we need brave riders to test out new obstacles! This class was an absolute hit last year and sold out quickly!
Time: Schedule at least 2 hours.
Duration: 8 weeks but please schedule in an extra week in the event we get rained out.
Options:
PEEWEE (Slow Pokes): Kids 9 and under who know how to ride, but are cautious and like to stick to a walk or trott.
OPEN: Adults and kids ages 10+ who want to cover ground faster, chase cows and do the harder cowboy challenges and tricks! If weather is iffy and we need to stay close to home, we will do some beginner roping in the arena.
LADIES PLEASURE RIDE: Tuesday evenings.
This spring the ranch has a few rodeo events that we are attending, so the Saturday class dates are not consecutive. They are as follows: April 25, May 2, 9, 23, 30 Note: no long weekend adventure on the 16th (Little Britches Rodeo in High River), June 6, 13, 27 (We are away at a barrel race on the 20th)
****Prices include cost of Coach/Trail Boss and whether riders need to rent a horse or provide their own.
NOTE: Although our coaches will step in to assist and actively coach riders and horses, these are NOT riding lessons. Riders must know how to ride, and horses must be broke and kid friendly. We want to encourage riding for fun, while improving confidence and horsemanship, in a playful group dynamic.
Other information:
Please read our Purchase Agreement & Code of Conduct page prior to registration.
Please download an ‘Acknowledgment & Release Form’ to print out and sign. This needs to accompany your child when you sign in on the first day.
What to wear:
- Dress in layers depending on the forecast.
- If possible, please wear cowboy boots, or another boot with a heal.
- A properly fitted helmet.
- If its hot out, bring a water bottle that can be tied to the saddle.
There are no upcoming dates for this event.
Venue: Location
Venue Phone: 587.394.7674
Address:
Description:
HorsePlay! at Big Rock Ranch (est. 1885), is a 140+ yr old family owned ranch located just 12 minutes SW of the town of Okotoks, AB.
Note: In Google Maps, you can just type in Big Rock Ranch or HorsePlay! Ranch Adventures.
DIRECTIONS
From Okotoks:
- Take highway 7 heading west towards Diamond Valley. You’ll see the Big Rock Erratic and then take the next turn South (left) on 64th street.
- Look for the ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign on the West (right) side of the road. (If you go past the 434th Ave intersection you’ve gone too far.)
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.
From Calgary: Follow the signs to Okotoks and Diamond Valley. You can either drive through Okotoks or go via Aldersyde to get to highway 7. Then follow the Okotoks instructions listed above.
From High River:
- Take highway 543 heading west towards Hartell and Longview.
- Turn North (right) on 64th street.
- Go past 434th Ave and take the first turn West (left) into a wide driveway. There is a big ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign.
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.
From Black Diamond/Turner Valley:
- Take highway 22 heading South towards Longview.
- Turn East onto 434th Ave (heading towards the MD dump).
- Turn North (left) on 64th street and then take the first turn left again into a wide driveway. (There is a big ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign.)
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.