strangranch

» Sheepdog Trial May 9th and 10th «

FOR A DOWNLOADABLE ENTRY PLEASE GO TO MPBCA.COM

Strang Ranch Sheep Dog Trial
USBCHA & MPBCA Sanctioned
Qualifying trial for Top Dog District 2 Handlers!!
OPEN NURSERY OPEN RANCH
May 9th & 10th 2012
Entries open March 1,checks cashed April 1. No refunds after April 1.
Open 55$ (no added $) Nursery 35$(no payback) Open Ranch 40$ (no added $)
Make Entries Payable to Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial
393 CR 102
Carbondale CO 81623
Camping available on ranch, no hookups. Please call Bridget (970)948-2391 for more information
Carbondale Motels Days Inn 970-963-9111, Comfort Suits 970-963-8880
In Consideration for participation at Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial, I agree that I am responsible for any cost incurred as a result of damages caused by me or my dogs to the facilities, animals or persons of Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trial.  I also agree that in the event of personal injury or damage to my property of animals, I will not hold trial hosts, sponsors, trial helpers or property owners responsible.  I am also responsible for any injury to any animal(s) or property caused by me or my dogs.(Sheep valued at $ 300.00 each)

Handlers Name______________________________________________________

Mailing Address_____________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________

Telephone________________________________cell_______________________

Signature______________________________________Date_________________

DOGS NAME CLASS WED THURS FEE SUB-TOTAL

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TOTAL _______________________

» 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.

» Healing heARTS with Horses Community Open House Demonstration Event «

You’re Invited! Bring friends of all ages and experience the wisdom of horses....

Creative Spark Studio and Healing heARTS with Horses
Community Open House Demonstration Event at Strang Ranch
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2010
Time: noon-3:00pm

Tapping into the long-standing connection between humans and horses, Creative Spark Studio is proud to announce the addition of our Equine Facilitated Integrative Healing Program, Healing heARTs with Horses. With elements of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and expressive arts practices, our program utilizes horses to create powerful metaphors that mirror our relationships with others and ourselves.

Join EAGALA Certified facilitators Susan Gibbs, Equine Specialist and psychotherapist Sheri Gaynor, for a hands-on, open house demonstration, Saturday, December 3, noon-3p.m in the Strang Ranch covered arena, rain or shine. Anyone who is interested in learning more about how horses can help people solve problems and overcome obstacles is encouraged to attend, including mental health professionals, parents, teachers and educational consultants.

Equine assisted therapy and learning can offer a direct path to healing with issues such as anxiety, depression, communication breakdowns, insomnia, post traumatic stress syndrome, improving relationships, social skills deficiency, authentic leadership, team building skills, improved self confidence, substance abuse recovery, at-risk youth, marital and family counseling, stress and anger management, bereavement and more.

The demonstration will be held rain or shine in an enclosed outdoor arena. Drinks and snacks will be provided.  ALL Attendees should wear LAYERED, comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes.

Please see attached flyers for more information.

RSVP for the open house at 970-510-3004 or sheri@sherigaynor.com. Please call if you, a client or your organization, would like to experience this work by volunteering as a participant for the event. (Release of information, photo and video release and liability forms will be required)

» Thermal 2008 «

We all enjoyed our time in Thermal California this year. Cody Weverstad joined us with her horse Narlin and was tremendously helpful. The young horses really enjoyed the larger more horse friendly atmosphere. It is nice to be able to spend the nights at Tahquitz and just ship in for a day of horse showing. I can not imagine what the horses go threw that live at the show grounds for seven weeks. Some notable results from our gang: Duncan won a class the first week which started the ball rolling nicely. Thank you to Peter Pletcher for his marvelous job in the irons. The young jumpers, Phillip, Goldstar and Wonderview Farms’ Quiet Time and Cubano added many blue “clear round” ribbons learning the ropes in the lower level jumpers. Hallelujah stepped up from the Baby green hunters into the Lows and Pre greens earning ribbons his first week at the 3’. Fiona was amazing and ended up with great ribbons in the level five Jumpers. Laura Pietrzak and her mare Ikeria got super ribbons in the very competitive AA hunters. We took two Four year olds to learn about horse showing, and both Wonder and Argent acted like it was just another day at the office. We could not be happier with the Accord III babies we have, and I feel I owe a huge thank you to Crooked Willow Farms for bringing this super horse into the states. I look forward to next year at Thermal when the trees will be bigger and hopefully the wind will be smaller. 

» Summer 2007 «

We are back from California and the ranch is in full swing. We have hosted two CWHJA Horse shows, and both were a tremendous success!! We have been to two horse shows and Sue and Paddy have continued thier winning ways in the A/O jumpers. They are off the Spruce Meadows and we wish them all the luck in the world!!
Freckles and Leah seen here smiling about a Championship ribbon at their second show together!! 
We have recently attended the Mega Rally in High Prairie where our riders come home with masses of blue ribbons!!! Lilly in Tetrathlon won every event in her division, and the D team won their show jumping rally!! Pony Club has been a wonderful avenue for developing horsemanship and showmanship in the kids.
We also have three new foals on the ranch!! Check out the breeding page for more information on these three beautiful fillies.

» 2006 news «

In January we made our traditional trek with nine horses, Mike, Kit and Bridget to the desert oasis of Coachella California..  After our brief stint of 24 below zero F, we really look forward to the riding and showing in the sun! Tahquitz Equestrian center, where we base our opperation is a wonderful facility to teach and train out of. It is a mile from the show grounds so we are close enough but always have a nice quiet place to ride and train and turn out our horses.  We had a great circuit in Indio, finding success in about every ring the show offered, from the very competitive Walk Trot class with Kit Cunningham, to a Championship in the level 5 jumpers for Sue Pietrzak and Paddy O’Reilly, and about every ring in between. The hunter ring was friendly to Nestor and Gail in the Open Hunters and Windhoek farms’ Raphael, where he moved into the First year Green division after collecting a few ribbons in the Pre-Green ring.  Mean while back at the ranch.... Tahquitz Equestrian center provided a wonderful place to further our education.  There were two visits from our favorite dressage instructor Maria Wasson. There was a very insightful weekend clinic with John Turner of Thumbs Up Farm. And for the month of February we had Greg Eliel, who helps us from the ground up getting our horses soft, straight and supple.
Indio led to our favorite show the Oaks Where Sue continued her winning streak, and then it was time to head home to Carbondale. We love our time in Indio, it is beautiful and exciting but it does not hold a candle to springtime in Colorado. April is a wonderful time on the ranch full of baby calves, sheep and soon- foals!!!!!

The summer flew by as usual.  We hosted five local shows at the ranch, and attended a few A rated shows in Parker and Estes Park.  Bridget and Sue Pietrzak made a quick trip to Spruce Meadows, (where Sue once again came home sporting that wonderful Canadian RED ribbon-the winner!!!!) Mean while back at the ranch the lesson program was in full swing, and there were many horses to be ridden.  July brought us two new foals. Libertys’ Diamond, now 21 had her last foal, (we will let surrigate mares have her foals from now on ).  “Narnia” is a very beautiful, grey filly by Ciceras’ Icewater.  Rowina, a new Westphalen broodmare, produced “Gabe”, a small but mighty colt by Crooked Willows Holsteiner stallion, Grannius.  The first week of July we had a wonderful clinic with Greg Best, who is a fabulous horseman and teacher, followed by a sold out horsemanship clinic with Greg Eliel.  Gregs’ methods of straightening and freeing up our horses and perfecting out positions produced wonderfully free and soft horses.  Maria Wasson again found time to come and teach every month. There was something for everyone!! Tuesday nights were dedicated to Pony Club. Bridget and the kids would load up and head out to Wonderview for our weekly dose of “good old fashioned horsemanship”.  Congratulations to everyone achieving their rating!!!!!!!!  The two and three year old’s were beautifully started by Hugh from Australia. We are hoping he will find his way back to the ranch in a more permanent position. He was great with EVERY horse he rode.  They overcame their fears and in a short time were happily being ridden all around the ranch.

August brought more horse shows, starting with Estes Park a first ‘away’ show and a first place for “Fiona”!!  Two local shows finished out the month and brought us to September.  High Prairie was another huge success for Sue and Paddy in the Amateur Owner Jumpers, first or second in every class!!!  We welcomed the CWHJA finals to the ranch in October to close out the year.
The fall brought with its amazing colors the pair pace at Pietrzaks. The costumes 34$, the preparation time - many weeks, the opportunity to canter across a field, jumping jumps with your friends, on a magical fall day in Colorado....... PRICELESS!!!!

Lessons slowly wound down as the horses coats got thicker and the cold set in. We are now covered by two feet of snow and the thermometer has dipped to 13 below zero, there are a few hearty soles still riding, but for the most part downhill skiing has replaced the posting trot.  The ranch has slowed down to a more comfortable pace with lessons and training going on at a quieter pace. The indoor is welcoming and warm and we enjoy our change of scenery from the summer.  We are beginning to look forward to our next adventures at Indio, with new horses and customers, and a brand new horse show facility!  As I dream about the possibilities of the future I also reflect back on the wonderful year and count my many blessings.  I am so thankful for the support of my family, and for the wonderful group of customers that are here now. And I am always thankful that the horses let me be a part of their lives.

Good luck and good health to everyone.
Cheers
Bridget and the Strang Gang