SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, March 02 2016 / Published in Weekly Feature

In the Saddle: Idaho Ranch Adventure

By Jan Westmark

The ranch horses heading in from their pasture. Photo by Anne Joubert

The ranch horses heading in from their pasture.
Photo by Anne Joubert

I’m always up for a good riding adventure and I love the Winston Churchill quote: “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” I know this famous line rings true for many horse people.

My latest riding adventure took me to Idaho. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t know much about Idaho except they grow potatoes, but after a “week of a lifetime” at the Red Horse Mountain Ranch in Northern Idaho, near Lake Coeur d’Alene, I will always think of Idaho as a fabulous place to spend time in the saddle. Thanks to this amazing guest ranch, I also spent time having massages, enjoying incredible food, listening to cowboy poetry around a roaring fire under a brilliant starry sky, taking yoga classes, line dancing at the saloon, getting to know the wonderful guests and staff and so much more.

Scenic rides

Scenic rides

The Adventure Begins

My adventure in Idaho began when I called my daughter Abby in England. “Want to meet me at the Red Horse Mountain Ranch in Idaho for Ladies Week?” She called me back in less than an hour. “I Googled the ranch and it looks awesome. I just booked a flight to Spokane, Washington. I’ll meet you there. Let’s ride!”

I took a look at the website and was also excited by the beautiful guest cabins, fabulous food, trail rides that featured stunning scenery and an endless list of fun activities. Luckily for us, and for all the guests who visit Red Horse Mountain, the real life experience is even better than the pictures. In addition to our Ladies Week, Red Horse also offers adult weeks, family weeks, couples weeks and wine tasting weeks.

Abby and I met at the airport in Spokane, where Red Horse arranged a shuttle to take us, and several other ladies, to the ranch. Nestled on 300,000 acres, the ranch is a dream come true for getting away from it all and we had a great chance to start our week of relaxation while enjoying the scenery on the way to the ranch. The ranch is mountainous with incredible views — and I couldn’t wait for our riding adventures to begin.

Get ready to enter paradise — the Red Horse Mountain Ranch. Photo by Anne Joubert

Get ready to enter paradise — the Red Horse Mountain Ranch.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Time To Saddle Up

Each guest is assigned their own horse for the week, and my equine partner was a big black Quarter Horse cross with a white blaze named Oreo. He was mellow with a great rocking horse canter and after a week of loping (the Western version of cantering) along beautiful mountain trails, I was ready to bring him home. Abby and Doc became partners, which turned out to be a great pairing — Abby likes to go fast and Doc was happy to oblige.

Red Horse understands if riders know how to ride and they’re happy to take advanced riders on their own adventures. One guide took just Abby and I on a ride and promised us lots of loping — but instead we went a speed that made my eyes tear up just a bit. The ranch also offers a scenic ride every day and we took several of those. They were slow, mostly at a walk, but beware — if you aren’t used to riding in the mountains, the views also come with lots of cliffs and drop offs as well as frequent clutching of the saddle horn and gasping for breath. But if you’re brave, the views are worth it.

Getting ready to ride during Ladies Week. Photo by Jan Westmark

Getting ready to ride during Ladies Week.
Photo by Jan Westmark

More Adventure

While Abby and I enjoyed our time in the saddle, Red Horse didn’t disappoint when it came to other adventures. Every day we signed up for something new — from archery to a ropes course, clay shooting to zip lining and fly fishing to yoga class. It was one fantastic adventure after another. One afternoon we had massages (included during Ladies Week), worked on pottery in the pottery barn and then relaxed in the hot tub near the pool. It was perfect.

We enjoyed the wine and cheese on the back porch of the main lodge overlooking the mountains every afternoon, where Abby and I had a great time chatting with the other guests. After a fabulous dinner (all the meals were wonderful) we spent the nights enjoying great activities: campfires, dancing, karaoke, gazing at the starry sky and one night we had a five-course dinner that was an incredible delight.

The horses at Red Horse Mountain Ranch Photo by Jan Westmark

The horses at Red Horse Mountain Ranch
Photo by Jan Westmark

Getting Away From It All

If you’re up for a change of pace, then round up your family and friends and ride out to Red Horse Mountain Ranch. A week away from our fast-paced world is the perfect thing to recharge your batteries. Red Horse Mountain Ranch is all-inclusive — so it’s like a cruise but even better: you still get to ride horses!

Thanks to my time spent in the saddle in Idaho, I met some great new friends, had a wonderful week with my daughter and have fond memories of a big horse named Oreo. I’ll be back to ride again, Red Horse Mountain Ranch, because no hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.

Visit redhorsemountain.com.

Guest cabin at the ranch. Photo courtesy of Red Horse Mountain Ranch

Guest cabin at the ranch.
Photo courtesy of Red Horse Mountain Ranch

There are lots of activities at the ranch, including ziplining. Photo by Anne Joubert

There are lots of activities at the ranch, including ziplining.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Enjoy lots of fun nights at the Saloon. Photo by Anne Joubert

Enjoy lots of fun nights at the Saloon.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Paula Menakaya bonding with her horse. Photo by Anne Joubert

Paula Menakaya bonding with her horse.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Meeting new friends in the dining hall. From the left: Anne Joubert, Paula Menakaya and Kelly Burnett. Photo by Jan Westmark

Meeting new friends in the dining hall. From the left: Anne Joubert, Paula Menakaya and Kelly Burnett.
Photo by Jan Westmark

A fabulous five-course dinner during Ladies Week. Photo by Anne Joubert

A fabulous five-course dinner during Ladies Week.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Abby Westmark tries her hand at archery. Photo by Jan Westmark

Abby Westmark tries her hand at archery.
Photo by Jan Westmark

A group of ladies getting ready for an activity with Wrangler Tim. Photo by Jan Westmark

A group of ladies getting ready for an activity with Wrangler Tim.
Photo by Jan Westmark

No boots – no problem. The ranch has plenty of boots for guests to borrow during the week – and riding helmets also! Photo by Jan Westmark

No boots – no problem. The ranch has plenty of boots for guests to borrow during the week – and riding helmets also!
Photo by Jan Westmark

Let your artistic side shine by making pottery at the pottery barn. Photo by Jan Westmark

Let your artistic side shine by making pottery at the pottery barn.
Photo by Jan Westmark

Mother and daughter – Jan and Abby Westmark Photo by Jan Westmark

Mother and daughter – Jan and Abby Westmark
Photo by Jan Westmark

Clay shooting at Red Horse. Photo by Jan Westmark

Clay shooting at Red Horse.
Photo by Jan Westmark

Heading out for a scenic ride. Photo by Jan Westmark

Heading out for a scenic ride.
Photo by Jan Westmark

Maureen Dorsey enjoys time in the saddle — and a view — at Red Horse Mountain Ranch. Photo by Anne Joubert

Maureen Dorsey enjoys time in the saddle — and a view — at Red Horse Mountain Ranch.
Photo by Anne Joubert

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: dude ranch, idaho, jan westmark, red horse mountain ranch

What you can read next

Lindsey and Will Roberts: A Family Founded on Love and Horses
Preparing for the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals
Show Jumper Brian Walker Answers Your Questions

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • HOLLY HILL FARM
    Marstons Mills Harvard Mass Patricia Harnois/ Caitlin Venezia Training/Showing/Sales 561-758-5362 508-367-0779 HollyHill7@aol.com www.hollyhillstable.com

    [Read more]

  • Fab Finds by Sarah
    With one of the most extensive collections of Golden Goose in the world Find us at Most A rated horse shows or Order Online www.fabfindsbysarah.com Equestrian Vendors

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!