strangranch

» 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

» 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.

» 2006 Holsteiner Filly for sale «

“Narnia" is a coming four year old filly by the Holsteiner Stallino Cicera’s Icewater and out of the wonderful Dutch mare Liberty’s Diamond.  Narnia has had a month of riding this past fall and is ready to go!!  She is lovely to look at, and is a VERY athletic young horse.  She is a very balanced young mare and will excell in any disipline. $15,000

» Tb Gelding for sale «

Nakota is a 16 h gelding that has been off the track for a year. He has a beautiful expression, and seems eager to learn a new job. He is quiet and simple to ride but has had limited rides since his brief profession as a slow race horse. 8,000$

» Philip Champion both Weeks at Tucson Fall shows!!! «

Philip, a 2003 geld by Circa Z was champion in the Derby Jumpers both weeks of the Tucson fall horse shows held at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Philip who has been showing in a few 1.2M classes this summer proved he was ready to go a little faster, and turn a little sharper. Look for him to start jumping a bit higher and running a bit faster in Thermal. Philip is by Circa Z who is still competing as a 18 yr old with Sophie Simpson in the irons. After several years in the international ring with Nicole Simpson, he is back in the family showing Sophie how it is done, winning several big classes in California. Philip is priced at 40,000$.

» 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 «