strangranch

» The Strang Ranch «

The Strang Ranch is a family owned and run business. It is a working cattle ranch and a sport horse breeding operation as well as a busy equestrian center, hosting many hunter/jumper and dressage shows, clinics and daily lessons.

The ranch lies on 460 Acres of irrigated and pasture land in Western Colorado with outstanding views of the Elk Mountain Range, 25 miles from the Aspen Airport.


There is extensive trail riding, a recognized fox hunt, and an extensive hunter/jumper training barn.

» Strang Ranch to Host the 2011 National Sheep dog finals «

Strang Ranch is pleased to announce that the 2011 national sheep dog finals will be run at Strang Ranch September 13-18 2011.
This six day event will include a food and craft fair as well as competition for 225 pre-qualified dog and handler teams. Only the best teams from the U.S. and Canada make the cut to compete for over $40,000 in purse money and the title(s) of 2011 National Sheepdog Champion and the 2011 National Nursery Champion (younger dogs). Seven hundred of Colorado’s notorious range yearlings (sheep) will be gathered from high alpine meadows of the Rocky Mountains and delivered to Strang Ranch the day before the trial. These sheep will levy the necessary challenge to determine 2011 champions. The sport of sheepdog trialing is growing in popularity in the United States, and particularly in the Rocky Mountain Region. Just 80 miles away, the ever-popular Meeker Classic is held annually the week after Labor Day, and it will wind up just two days before the 2011 National Finals begins. The close proximity of the Meeker Classic and the timing will only build excitement and enthusiasm for the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals. The legendary Meeker Classic is a shining example of the impact a large sheepdog trial can have on a community.

Hosting the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals is a massive project, and will require volunteers, support and sponsorship from many. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this event in any way. Further information can be found at www.sheepdogfinals.com or 2011finals@gmail.com
Click here for more Infos: Sheep Dog Finals 2011

» Aspen Valley Land Trust «

ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST

Permanently conserving open space for agriculture,
scenic vistas, wildlife habitat and recreation.

Aspen Valley Land Trust, a non-profit 501 (C)(3), will be the beneficiary of profits from the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals held at Strang Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. AVLT is Colorado’s oldest land trust (founded in 1967) and is committed to conserving ranchland and open spaces in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.
Strang Ranch and the Strang family have had a long relationship with AVLT. The ranch is conserved through a conservation easement designed to protect the agricultural productiveness of the property. Kit Strang and Lathrop Strang (deceased) both served on the AVLT Board of Directors for several years and AVLT’s major fund-raising event, the Save the Land Dance, was held at the Strang Ranch annually from 2003 to 2008.
The Strang Ranch family and management exemplify good land stewardship and exceptional community service.
AVLT has conserved more than 31,000 acres in the central Colorado mountains and continues to work with landowners to conserve the important ranchlands, habitat and scenic open spaces that are vital to the region’s tourism industry, local food production and Western ranching heritage. AVLT is nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance Commission and certified by the State of Colorado.

Martha Cochran
Executive Director
Aspen Valley Land Trust
320 Main Street, #204
Carbondale, CO 81623
www.avlt.org or marthac@avlt.org

» Lathrop Strang Memorial Fund «

There are no words to describe the life you lived - you were amazing in every aspect of your life.  We love you Lados.

On a perfect Colorado spring day in 2008, a perilous run down a chute atop Mount Sopris took the life of Lathrop Strang. His death shocked and saddened the valley and a void lingers where his intellect and energy contributed so much.

Lathrop served on the board of Aspen Valley Land Trust for six years, and before that was a member to the board of Western Colorado Agricultural Heritage Fund, which merged with AVLT in 2002. Land conservation, particularly that of working ranches, was Lathrop’s passion. He felt strongly that humans as well as animals need open spaces and land to grow food and fuel.

Lathrop’s parents Mike and Kit, brother Scott and sisters Laurie and Bridget, asked that in lieu of flowers, people make a donation to a selected non-profits, including AVLT. The Lathrop Strang Memorial Fund helps defray some of the costs landowners incur in donation a conservation easement. The funds are used to conserve working ranches that have been in one family for at least 25 years. Lathrop is no longer here to advocate for ranchers and ranching, but he continues to help insure that ranching remains in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.

To contact AVLT please visit http://www.avlt.org or email at avlt@avlt.org.

http://www.avlt.org
Aspen Vally Land Trust
320 Main Street
Carbondale, CO 81623-2084
(970) 963-8438

» 2006 gelding - simple quiet gelding «

“Gaberielle” is a compact, quiet, athletic young horse that has been a pleasure to break.  He was ridden in from the pasture day four with the trainer, bareback in a halter.  He stands 15.2+, and is strong and compact.
He should be a good all around guy, from the trail to the show ring, any disipline.  8,500$

» strang ranch summer show prize list «

STRANG RANCH SUMMER SHOW SERIES
June 5th and 6th
August 28th-29th

Date: June 5th and 6th
August 28th-29th

Location: Strang Ranch Carbondale Co.

Contact: Bridget Strang 970-963-2319

Judge:  June- Kris Nixon
August- Kerri Kaneps

Entries: $12.00 per class

EMT: $10 fee - per rider per day

Stabling: 25$/stall/night or 20$/pen/night Please call to reserve 970-963-2319

Concession: Cathy Ortez Catering Food will be available both days.

Schooling: 6:45-7:45am Saturday and Sunday.  Please call for additional times 970-963-2319

Stewards: Any CWHJA Board of Director Member present

Attire: Proper show attire required. USAE-approved
hard hat and boots with heels required for all riders when jumping.  Junior riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmets with harness fastened whenever mounted anywhere on the show grounds.

Rules: USAE rules apply in all instances except where
specifically covered by CWHJA

Dogs: NOT ALLOWED!!!!!  except for service dogs.

Saturday, – 8:00

1. *WARM UP HUNTER (open all day)
2. Baby Green Hunter course I 2’-2’3”
3. Baby Green Handy Hunter
4. Baby Green Hunter under saddle
5. Evergreen Hunter – course I 2’6”
6. Evergreen Handy Hunter
7. Evergreen Hunter under saddle
8. Pony Hunter – course I 2’0”-2’3”or
9. Pony Handy Hunter 2’6”-2’9”
10. Pony Equitation over fences
11. CWHJA Pony Medal
12. Pony Hunter under saddle
13. Pony Equitation on the flat
14. Long Stirrup Hunter- course I 2’0”-2’3”
15. Long Stirrup Handy Hunter
16. Long Stirrup Hunter under saddle
17. Rusty Stirrup Hunter-course I 2’0”-2’3”
18. Rusty Stirrup Handy Hunter
19. Rusty Stirrup Hunter under saddle
20. Low CH/AA Hunter – course I 2’3”-2’6”
21. Low CH/AA Handy Hunter
22. Limit Equitation over fences
23. Low CH/AA Hunter under saddle
24. Limit Equitation on the flat
25. Low Hunter – course I 2’9”
26. Low Handy Hunter
27. Low Hunter under saddle
28. Children’s/AA Hunter – course I 2’9”
29. Children’s/AA Handy Hunter
30. CWHJA Children’s/AA Medal
31. Children’s/AA Hunter under saddle
32. Open High/Low Hunter – course I 2’9”-3’0”or
33. Open High/Low Handy Hunter 3’0”-3’3”
34. Open High/Low Hunter under saddle
35. Jr/Am High/Low Hunter – course I
36. Jr/Am High/Low Handy Hunter
37. CWHJA Jr/Am Medal
38. Jr/Am High/Low Hunter under saddle

Sunday, – 8:00 am
39. Walk- Trot Equitation on the flat
40. Walk-Trot Pleasure
41. Flower Power Hunter Hack flower boxes
42. Flower Power
43. Pre-Beginner Equitation – course I 10”- 15”
44. Pre-Beginner Equitation – course II
45. Pre-Beginner Equitation on the flat
46. Beginner Rider Equitation on the flat
47. Beginner Rider Hunter – course I 1’6”-2’0”
48. Beginner Rider Hunter – course II
49. Beginner Rider Equitation over fences
50. LEAD LINE
COURSE CHANGE (not to start before 11:00)
51. *Schooling Jumper, sec V.1 (optimum time) 2’3”-2’6”
52. *Schooling Jumper , sec V.1
53. Level 1 Jumper, table II, 2b 2’6”-2’9”
54. Level 1 Jumper, table II, 2c
55. Children’s/AA Jumper, table II,2b 2’9”
56. Children’s/AA Jumper, table II,2c
57. *Rotating Riders Pairs Relay 2’9”
58. Level 2 Jumper, table II,2b 2’9” - 3’0”
59. Level 2 Jumper, table II,2c
60. Level 3 Jumper, table II,2b 3’0” - 3’3”
61. Level 3 Jumper, table II,2c
62. Level 4 Jumper, table II,2b 3’3” - 3’6”
63. Level 4 Jumper, table II,2c
64. Level 5 Jumper, table II,2b 3’6” -3’9”
65. Level 5 Jumper, table II,2c
*unrecognized divisions

JUMPER CLASSES:  Levels 1 through 5 are open to all horses and riders.  Children’s/AA Jumpers is open to Junior and Amateur riders only.  A horse rider combination may only span two levels at any given horse show.

WALK-TROT & FLOWER POWER: No cross entry with any other jumping division is allowed. To be judged on position, control and attitude. Cantering will not be penalized in the jumping portion of this division. This is an entry level division. No judges may not be allowed on the flat.

PRE-BEGINNER EQUITATION: Open to junior and amateur riders who have never shown higher than 2’0”.  May cross-enter into beginner division.

BEGINNER RIDER: A beginner has never won three classes
over fences in the same show season, and has never shown in a class with
jumps exceeding 2’6”.  This division will be split by age if entries warrant.

PONY HUNTER:  Open to all ponies ridden by junior exhibitors. May jump either height offered, but must jump same height throughout this show.
PONY EQUITATION: Open to all junior riders mounted on ponies
.
LONG STIRRUP HUNTER:.  Hunter courses will be set at 2’0-2’3”. This division is open to riders under 18 years of age.  No rider who has competed over 2’6” is eligible for this division.
RUSTY STIRRUP HUNTER: Hunter courses will be set at 2’0-2’3”..  This division is open to riders 18 years of age and older. No rider who has competed over 2’6” in the past four years is eligible for this division. Open to horses/ponies ridden by adult amateur riders.  The same horse/rider combination may not cross entered into classes 2’6” or higher at the same show. 

LOW CHILDREN’S/AA HUNTER:  This division will not be split by age.  Open to horses or ponies shown by junior & amateur riders.  Riders may not show higher that 2’6” at the same show.

LIMIT EQUITATION:  Open to junior and amateur riders who have never won six blue ribbons over fences in equitation, and who have not shown over fences exceeding 3’ within the last 10 years.

BABY GREEN HUNTER: Open to horses who have not won three classes over fences in the same show season and have never shown higher than 2’6”.
EVERGREEN HUNTER:  Open to horse and ponies.  Fences 2’6”

CHILDREN’S/AA HUNTER:  Open to Junior and Amateur
riders (division to be split if entries warrant).  Fences 2’9”.

JUNIOR/AMATEUR HIGH/LOW HUNTER:  Open to junior
and amateur riders.  Fences must be ridden at either 2’9” – 3’0” or
3’0” - 3’3”, with riders jumping the same height throughout the division.
OPEN HIGH/LOW HUNTER:  Same as High/Low Junior/Amateur Hunters, but open to all riders.

Questions and more information regarding class specifications is available at
www.cwhja.com

» news april 2009 «

News from Strang Ranch April 2009

It has been a very full winter for the Strang Gang in Thermal California.  WE took ten horses down, on a 18 hr trip that took four days……. Fortunately we eventually did make it safe and sound to California with well rested horses and trucks in good working order with some new parts……
We arrived on a Thursday, and Friday morning found ourselves at the Desert Circuit horse show!!!  I think there was a week where there was not a show, but we were so busy clipping and unpacking and riding the winter out of our horses we hardly took notice.  Before we knew it we were back at the horse show.  With over twenty horses alternating show weeks, we were really busy for a solid seven weeks of horse shows!!  Thank you all, for trusting us with their care and having the faith to send them to the show ring with us. Green horses are not always easy, and progress does not come at a steady pace.  The horses were wonderful!!  All those shows at Thermal had us very well prepared for our two weeks at the Oaks.  Wonderview farms’ Quiet Time finished second in her 1.20meter classic at the Oaks, after several really good ribbons at Thermal in the very competitive level 5 jumpers.  Carolyn Devan joined us for one week of showing, and catch rode “Top of my List” AKA Cooper to a reserve championship in the schooling pony hunter, and then stepped up to the Large Pony hunters.  She did a wonderful job, and I was so proud of her figuring out a different pony, over huge jumps, in gale force winds!!!! The Strang horses, Fiona, Philip and Halleluljah, also had their successes, earning good ribbons from the pre-green hunters to the 1.30m jumpers. 
Kristy Gregg will be managing the barn this summer.  We also welcome Tara Hill from California here to do some riding and teaching.  Hugh Coleby is also in residence starting and training colts.  There will be three CWHJA hunter jumper shows at the ranch this summer, May 3rd, June 5 & 6, and August 29 & 30th.  There are several clinics scheduled for this summer.  Maria Wasson will be here May 15-16 and will be returning every month for her dressage/flat work/ good position clinics.  Greg Eliel will be returning the end of June for his Horsemanship clinc.  For many years Greg was a protégé of Ray Hunts’ and Buck Brannamans’.  He is a very good teacher, and has a wonderful simple approach to problem solving. If you desire a straighter, softer, easier horse on the ground and riding, don’t miss this clinic.  Please contact Bridget or Kit if you are interested in either of these clinics.  Both clinics are open to all levels of riders. 

» news from the Ranch June 2008 «

Hi all
It has been a tough spring. We are figuring out how to live life with out Lathrop, and it does not seem as nice a place as it was with him here.,. The out pouring of support from the community has been wonderful and amazing. We thank everyone that helped run our horse show in April.
The Ranch is beautiful with all the winter snow and the spring rain, everything is green and beautiful. There are baby lambs, baby calves and the beautiful new baby horse “Miles”.
This beautiful colt is the second embryo transfer foal by Mezcalaro (Voltair) out of Liberty’s Diamond.
The ranch is bursting with activity. We are so happy to have Cody Weverstad here as the assistant trainer. She is a wonderful rider, and a great asset to the ranch. The working students, Lilly and Emily are a welcome addition to the barn. The lesson program is in full swing, with welcome back Ashley Smith teaching all the beginners. WE have a wonderful group of school horses, and enough teachers to take care of any scheduling problems. Hugh Coleby is in residence breaking and training young horses. We have had two CWHJA Hunter shows already, and both were a tremendous success. We have several new horses for sale. Please check out our sales page for more information.  Greg Best gave a wonderful clinic in June and Maria Wasson has been here twice, and will return in August for her third dressage clinic.  The Stang Gang with 15 horses is heading to Estes Park in August to horse show with the ‘big’ boys.
We had a wonderful time in Thermal California. It was occationally a bit breezy, but we survived. The young horses all moved up and became “real” show horses. Phillip showed in the five year old young Jumpers, Hallelujah got ribbons in the Low and Pre-green Hunters, and Strang Ranches’ Fiona was reserve champion in the Level Five jumpers. WE are looking forward to this summer of clinics and local shows. WE will be attending a couple “A” rated shows in August and September

» Parting Shots «