Echoes of the Past Ride 2001 at Bar-U-Bar Ranch, Granite Mountain Wilderness submitted by Carol Belmore

(Left to right): Ray Belmore, Steve Rafters, Carol Belmore, J.J. Fletcher & Laurel Denton riding Sandini Skeet photo by Barry Denton

With Granite Mountain in the background, some 40 plus riders rode out the morning of June 2 on Ride 2001 at the Bar U Bar Ranch near Prescott... Hosts Laurel and Barry Denton supplied each rider with a detailed map of the area and riders were free to ride at their leisure in the foothills of the Granite Mountain Wilderness Area.

After all riders had returned in the afternoon, Gretchen Richards and Yvette George, Horse Nutrition Specialists, of Purina gave a Horse Nutrition Seminar and presented all riders with door prizes and coupons for their attendance.

Scottsdale Livestock Supply donated horse grooming supplies to lucky raffle winners making the ride that much more successful. Robin Devin, AQHA Youth Program Director, was a special guest and a first time visitor to the area. Other guests included Micky Lacko from New Mexico, who has attended EVERY Arizona Trail Ride Event, Eddie Termini, 15 years old from California who was riding a horse for the first time in his life. Eddie exclaimed that trail riding was neat and more fun than he thought it would be, he even saw an antelope! From the sounds of it, his uncle Nick Termini has a new riding partner!

Dinner was served by Trail Side Caters and included a huge steak cooked over charcoal with all the trimmings. Tims GMC of Prescott furnished GMC trucks for riders to test drive and admire. Gary Young, Sales Manager of Tims GMC Presoctt rode with other members of the GMC team and staff. Tims GMC has been a big part of the AQHA Ride Program in Arizona and has been a major contributor to the success of the AQHA Ride Program in Arizona. We look forward to working with Tims in the future...

All riders acclaimed the ride a huge success and everyone had a great time, with the cool weather it was a pleasant break from the valley heat. Most of the riders were in no hurry to leave on Sunday and go back to the "real world". Thank you Laurel and Barry Denton for letting us ride on your beautiful ranch, it was a grand adventure!