August 2012

 

August 3, 4, 5 - Oxley Ranch Tours

Experience the Historic Oxley Ranch Learn about its long line of Lady Ranchers and their undying love for The Freedom of the Open Range. Camp at Ranch Headquarters.

• Climbing hills, crossing creeks
• Test yourself and your horses communication skills on the ranch obstacle course
• Ride through the Range Cattle the true Matriarchs of the ranch.
• Tour Archaeological areas on the ranch.
• Enjoy a dip in the creek
• Live entertainment around the campfire.
• Connect with your Animal Spirit Guides.
• Special Guest Julie Walker of Full Circle Adventures will be leading the group on a Good Medicine Workshop focusing our awareness on a Nature Walk to gain ancient knowledge of Mother Nature’s unbridled gifts that surround us in the Native grasslands of the Foothills.

Due to the intimate nature of this package space is limited, ensuring that everyone will get the personal time needed to experience and enjoy this extended weekend. The ranch has 2 only campers available so ideally guests will bring their own campers. For more information please contact Jennifer White 1-403-549-2457 or theoxley@xplornet.ca

August 4
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site - Friends of the Bar U Trail Ride

Support the Friends of the Bar U Ranch Association on their annual day ride into original Bar U grazing lands. Everyone welcome. Ride your own horse or take a seat on a horse-drawn wagon. Call 403-395-3330 or 403-395-3879 for more information.

All special events at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site begin at 1pm and are subject to cancellation or rescheduling depending on weather conditions. For more events information call 403-395-3044.

August 11 and 12
Sierra West Cabins and Ranch Vacations - Frontier Cattle Drive

"The Best Little Cattle Drive in the West" Cost - $350.00+GST/person (your horse) or $530.00+GST/person (our horse & tack) Saddle up and ride with the Sierra West gang on our 2012 Cattle Drive.

This year our trip will take you through some of the most scenic mountain countryside nestled close to the base of the majestic Livingstone Mountain range in southwestern Alberta. Step back into the pages of time and experience a taste of the "Old West" as we ride the open ranges, drive cattle, indulge in down home country cooking and tell yarns & sing songs around the campfire. You will marvel at the breath-taking scenery, serenity of nature and the comradeship of fellow horsemen. We'll create an adventure you'll remember forever.

Reserve Your Saddle Today! Contact Dame Ginny 403.628.2431 or info@sierrawestcabins.com

August 12
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site - Old Time Ranch Rodeo

A rodeo competition demonstrating traditional ranching skills still used today on ranches throughout the country. Join us for an exciting afternoon of broke horse racing, team sorting, branding and doctoring, and wild cow milking. Teams of working cowboys from Alberta ranches compete for silver Bar U belt buckles - and bragging rights!

All special events at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site begin at 1pm and are subject to cancellation or rescheduling depending on weather conditions. For more events information call 403-395-3044.

August 12, 13, 14 - Skies Alive!

A weekend in the country to view the annual Perseid’s Meteor Showers - and a full moon! Join us for an introduction to astronomy (we'll have a novice astronomer visit with her telescope to describe what we are looking at above), interpretive hikes at all times to enjoy the landscapes in daylight and the long shadows of evening - lots of opportunities to see wildlife and birds. Daytime napping is recommended. Bring your camera or a good book for some quiet time. Schedule commences with an afternoon hike/tour and after dinner, we'll settle in to wait for dark. The following day, after a hearty breakfast, we'll tour or hike another area where we'll have lunch outdoors and return to the buildings for a rest before supper and another late night. Suggestion . . . head for bed early and set your alarm to get up and see the stars - 2AM to 4AM is the best.

Other activities available – wagon ride, photography, art and entertainment for extra charges.

2 night minimum stay:   $390/person includes 2 night's accommodation, meals and 'live' entertainment!

3 nights:   $505/person includes 3 night's accommodations, meals and entertainment.

• Hosts: Alberta Parks, Brown Creek Ranch Vacations, Chimney Rock B&B, Full Circle Adventures, Janet Sippola Western Artist, Joyce Pallister-Bronsch, Lucasia Ranch Vacations, Oxley Ranch Tours, Sierra West Cabins and Ranch Vacations
• To register: Contact Dame Debbie 403.646.0151 or websterranch@xplornet.ca

August 24, 25, 26 - Oxley Ranch Tours

Camp and ‘Ride the Range’ on one of Alberta’s oldest working cattle ranches. Guests will be introduced to the fine art of Vaquero-Style horsemanship and cattle handling. Master Horseman, Marty Gardener of Flattop Horsemanship will be leading our group in the horsemanship and cattle handling clinics.

Riders can expect to spend plenty of time in the saddle, progressing daily, enjoying and developing new horsemanship skills with other horsemen and horsewomen. We encourage guests to arrive the night before to set up camp and settle in before our first day of activities. 3 day adventure for you and your horse $795.00

• Day 1 Horsemanship Clinic focusing on foundation horsemanship skills. After lunch, try out the ranch obstacle course and go for an open range appreciation tour.
• Day 2 Start early with a short ride then begins our Cattle Handing Clinic.
• Day 3 Another day in the saddle, Round Up and Cattle Drive. Enjoy your lunch out on the range.

Guests need to wrangle their own breakfast. Coffee and lunch supplies will be available for bag lunches, all evening meals will be provided. Evening entertainment includes star gazing, coyote howling & live western music around the campfire! For more information please contact Jennifer White 1-403-549-2457 or theoxley@xplornet.ca

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All programs are subject to change – new events may be added throughout the year.