Icelandic Horse Club 

We are trying to expand our activities both in frequency and territory. The more members we have the more events we can organize to enjoy and celebrate our special horses. Here is what some of our members have been up to this year and some trail rides suggestions.

Coulter Lake Ride August 2011

Being a Regional Club with members scattered all over the Rocky Mountains, we plan events in summer when the passes are passable and ones that are a maximum of a seven to eight hour drive so as many members as possible can make it.  We had hoped to have our usual two events this year, but unforeseen circumstances prevented that from happening.  But the event put together by Karen Olson-Fields definitely made up for the second one! 

She found a slice of heaven by the name of Coulter Lake Ranch in the mountains just north of Rifle, Colorado.  We arrived during on a Thursday afternoon full of expectation.  The Ranch is completely off the grid which was wonderful in and of itself. The starry, starry nights were absolutely amazing! The main lodge where we took our gourmet meals and the cabins were rustic, but very comfortable.  (Think hunting lodge.)

Best of all, we were able to bring our own horses for three days of beautiful trails.  The Ranch is nestled in a high valley in the White River National Forest and is complete with swiftly running streams and a lovely lake for swimming, kayaking and fishing as it is stocked with trout.  Our rides were lead by wonderful guides who initially underestimated the speed and stamina of our Icelandics. They were quick to be impressed by our horses’ intelligence, calm nature, and surefootedness on all the trails particularly the steep and muddy trail we tackled on our second full day. 

We riders thoroughly enjoyed the splendid scenery and the company of the wonderful staff.  It’s a good thing that we were only there for three days because even though we rode a lot, the food was wonderful and could have yielded a few pounds if we had stayed on longer.

Our horses also enjoyed the fresh mountain air and especially the fresh dewy mountain grass they could munch on in the high, flower-filled mountain meadow to which we rode.  The horses didn’t even notice the small herd of cattle we met along the way.

We all agreed that this event was one we should do every year and have already set the date for July 2012.  If you happen to be in the West when we do this ride again, please join us. 

Submitted by Linda McLaughlin