COLORADO COWBOY: May 15-22, 2011
This week will be split between the Zapata Ranch and our sister ranch, the Chico Basin Ranch, during the year's most intensive cattle works and branding.
Time on the Zapata will be filled with rides into Sand Creek, which will be flowing as it does for only 3 weeks of each year, rides through and working the bison and rides into the Sand Dunes. At the Chico, we'll spend two days branding calves and working cattle and a third riding through the Chico prairie and arroyos. When nighttime comes, we'll enjoy dinner over a campfire and a good night's sleep under the stars.
This is a week not typically open the the public and a time of year that we cherish more than any. It is a celebration of spring time, new calves and an annual gathering that we all look forward to!
Space is limited to 15 participants. Cost: $1,995 pp includes all meals, lodging and instruction.
PACK TRIP: June 19-26, 2011
Beginning with a night in the lodge, the pack trip starts the following morning. We'll head up into the mountains for 3 nights and 4 days of high mountain riding. During the days, we will explore old mining country, take leisurely rides with magnificent views of the whole valley and San Juan Mountains, fish the alpine lakes and enjoy delicious food cooked over the fire. With nightfall, we'll sit around the campfire before retiring to the big, white canvas tent that will be our home and base camp.
The final couple days back at the ranch will bring rides with the bison, through the Zapata meadows and working with our bison and cattle herds for those not too tired from our mountainous travels!
Space is limited to 12 participants and intermediate riding ability is encouraged, though not required. Cost: $2,500 pp includes all meals, lodging and instruction.
HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: July 24-31, 2011
THIS CLINIC IS FULL. STAY TUNED FOR 2012 DATES.
This clinic will be led by Duke Phillips of Zapata and Chico Basin Ranch, and special guest, Cam Schryver of the Thacher School.
Duke Phillips is a third-generation rancher, general manager of both Chico Basin and Zapata ranches and an experienced horseman who has been working with horses all his life.
Also a lifelong horseman, Cam Schryver brings a broad set of skills that will help riders immensely. Mr. Schryver has been the head of the Thacher School Riding Program for the last twenty years, teaching annually, over 200 students how to improve their horsemanship skills. He feels his biggest accomplishment has been developing tangible and verbal presentation of information that students can use in their development as riders. Mr. Schryver won the National Extreme Cowboy Race in 2009 and has participated in numbers of California rodeos and vaquero and reata ropings. His goal for this year is to qualify his horse for the world in the AQHA ranch horse versatility competition.
Days will be spent with personal one-on-one horsemanship instruction, educational demonstrations, rides through the surrounding meadows and dunes and working cattle and bison on horseback. Applying working ranch horsemanship and riding by feel, you'll leave the week feeling a deeper connection to the magnificence of a horse and will understand how to better communicate with it. You are more than welcome to bring your own horse.
Space is limited to 15 participants. Cost: $1,995 pp includes all meals, lodging and instruction.
NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Stephen Weaver- August 25-28, 2011
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. STAY TUNED FOR 2012 DATES.
Led by long-time Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranch photographer, Steve Weaver. Steve's knowledge of the ranch as well as the local San Luis Valley hot spots will put you in the right breathtaking places at the right time. Join us for 3 days of nature and animal photography and learn the fundamentals of what exactly goes into making a quality outdoor photograph. Daily discussions will be held to explore the philosophies behind creating your own artistic vision as well as image processing techniques that help you achieve and meet your aspirations.
Space limited to 9 participants. For more information, click here or call the ranch and ask for Tess: 719-378-2356 x110. Stay updated with workshop info through our facebook page. Cost: $900, includes all meals and beverages, lodging and instruction.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Bobbie Goodrich & Susan Lei Burns- October 20-26, 2011
Because of the success of last year's September workshop, Bobbie Goodrich & Susan Burns are returning again to share their knowledge.
The dates will be spent with ranch excursions and photo safaris- rising before dawn to travel to the Medano Ranch to photograph the bison and sand dunes at day break, spending the day in our historic educational center perfecting your images with post-production work, heading out as the sun sets to capture our 60-head horse herd running against the Sangre de Cristo Range and much more. This workshop is not to be missed!
Space is limited to 15 participants. Cost: $3,200, includes all meals and beverages, lodging and instruction.
For more information, please see www.TheWestRedefined.com and visit our facebook page for examples of images created at their 2010 Zapata workshop.
Pictured Left: Example of photographs before (top) and after (bottom) Post-Production work by Bobbie Goodrich.
