APHA invites riders to enjoy
America’s diverse landscape

FORT WORTH, Texas—From tall-grass prairies to majestic mountain peaks, the natural beauty of America’s countryside will be the setting for several American Paint Horse Association (APHA)-sponsored trail rides in 2006.
The association, which prides itself on offering opportunities for recreational riders to enjoy the great outdoors on their horses, is planning the following rides in 2006.

Riders will discover breathtaking views of the American countryside on APHA's upcoming 2006 trail rides. Hirez JPEG (1.29 mb)

Bar Fifty Ranch
Bismarck, Ark.
March 31–April 2
This beautiful spring ride takes place at a working cattle and horse facility located 20 miles from Hot Springs, Ark. The ranch is situated on 200 acres, but horse trails wind their way into 20,000 acres of the of the Ouashita Mountain foothills.

Parrie Haynes Ranch Ride
Killeen, Texas
April 28-30
Come join APHA’s first Texas trail ride at the Parrie Haynes Ranch, centrally located in Killeen, Texas. This ride covers traditional Texas Hill Country landscape formations and rolling native prairies. With 49 miles of trail available, there will be a full weekend of riding and meeting new friends.

Bear Basin Ranch
Westcliffe, Colo.
July 31–Aug. 3
Before heading back to school, ride through high mountain meadows and forests on the Bear Basin Ranch’s 3,500 acres and adjacent Bureau of Land Management land. Activities will include a cattle round-up with a team penning clinic and competition.

Fort Robinson Trail Ride
Fort Robinson State Park, Neb.
Sept. 4–9
Spanning more than 22,000 acres, Fort Robinson is rich in the history of the American West. A military outpost from 1874 to 1948, individuals such as Crazy Horse, Red Cloud and Walter Reed helped carve “Fort Rob’s” place in history. This ride offers breathtaking views and outstanding trails that pass through tall-grass prairies, breathtaking rock formations and Ponderosa forests.

Philmont Boy Scout Ranch Ride
Near Cimarron, N.M.
Oct. 15–19
On this ride, which allows the APHA exclusive access to more than 137,000 acres, participants will enjoy a spectacular view of fall foliage in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and discover magnificent mountains, mesas, pine forests, lakes and streams. Donated to the Boy Scouts of America by philanthropist Waite Phillips in the mid-1900s, many parts of this country have remained relatively untouched since legendary frontiersmen like Kit Carson lived here in the mid-1800s. Historic tours of Cimarron will be available.

Whether they prefer an adventure with other Paint enthusiasts or to ride at their own leisure, recreational riders can find many enjoyable riding opportunities with APHA. Hirez TIFF (6.02 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.61 mb)

Additional APHA and regional club rides are being planned for 2006. All breeds of horses and mules are welcome. Visit apha.com/trailrides for updates, the registration form and additional ride information.

Ride at your own pace with Ride America
For Paint Horse enthusiasts who prefer to ride at their own pace, APHA’s Ride America program offers them the perfect opportunity to log hours at their convenience and earn rewards.

Once participants enroll in Ride America, they keep track of their time in the saddle or buggy by simply recording each hour spent riding or driving a Regular Registry or Solid Paint-Bred Horse. Hours may be logged on-line at apha.com/rideamerica, or by downloading, filling out and returning the forms found on the Web site.

As participants move up through the 14 achievement levels—from 100 to 10,000 hours—APHA records these accomplishments and rewards them with patches, compasses, saddle pads and other awards. In addition, time on the trail is permanently recorded on the horse’s official lifetime performance record.

Ride America members can earn double hours of credit for every hour ridden on official APHA Trail Rides or by riding in national and state parks, grasslands or historic areas, as recognized by the U.S. or Canadian National Parks Service.

With Ride America, participants will enjoy earning rewards while their Regular or Solid Paint-Bred Registry Paint Horse achieves points toward its lifetime performance record. Hirez TIFF (5.32 mb) Hirez JPEG (1.31 mb)

New incentives for APHA riders
For new members who want to combine the adventure of an APHA trail ride with participation in Ride America, an exciting one-time incentive is available. By joining Ride America when they make a reservation for an upcoming 2006 trail ride, participants will automatically receive $25 off the trail ride fee.

This offer is limited to new Ride America participants only. Non-members may take advantage of member rates by joining APHA.

For registration and more information
For more information on the APHA trail ride program contact Alice White at trailrides@apha.com; phone (817) 834-2742, extension 439; or visit apha.com/trailrides. The Web site includes a listing of upcoming rides, details on how to become a part of the adventure and the updated Guide to Recreational Riding.

To learn about what the Ride America program has to offer, visit apha.com/rideamerica, e-mail rideamerica@apha.com or call (817) 222-6439.