Gila Cowgirl Camp

- New Mexico

Aspiring cowgirls with a taste for adventure and new challenges will find a real "working ranch" experience - and much more - at this "Cowgirl Camps", which are scheduled throughout the year. Sign on for 5 days of wide open spaces in our southwestern classroom and ride back in time with authentic western tradition.
In this stress-free, phone-free atmosphere, "Cowgirl Camp" is an all-inclusive adventurous women's ranch week for Beginner/Intermediate Cowgirls of all ages. Challenge yourself to learn new skills and improve current ones with our patient, knowledgeable wranglers who will teach you basic horsemanship, team penning, barrel racing and roping.
Top it all with learning what it takes to gather cattle and to get them to the branding pen! Our Guest Capacity is small - with an average of 6 to 12, providing plenty of opportunities for plenty of individual attention and instruction.
Learn to groom and saddle; learn the secrets of better communication with your horse; relax and learn to enjoy a trail ride; develop the confidence to challenge yourself in an arena with the cowgirl "fundamentals" rodeo events such as barrel racing, roping and team penning. Guaranteed - you'll make new friends who share similar interests from all over the United States and Europe! Laughter is contagious and your sense of accomplishment is real empowerment! This week is all about YOU.
After a full day of ridin', ropin', and wranglin', treat yourself to a relaxing massage in the privacy of your own cabin. Therapeutic Massage and Body Work is an option offered to tired and sore Cowgirls by Kim Doak, LMT.
Kim specializes in Swedish, deep tissue, cranial-sacral and chi niet tsang (deep abdomen massage). This is a "special arrangement" as Kim will make a 60 mile round trip drive to the Ranch.

RTNM04-ex 
Rates include 6 nights accommodations, all meals, and 5 day clinic
7 days/6 nights  $ 1,125  Level 1
                           $ 1,250  Level 2
2008 Dates:
Level 1 Clinics
02/24-03/01    03/23-03/29    04/06-04/12
05/18-05/24    06/15-06/21    07/06-07/12
08/03-08/09    10/12-10/18    11/02-11/08
Level 2 Clinics
03/02-03/08    04/20-04/26    05/01-05/07
06/01-06/07    07/06-07/12    08/31-09/06
10/19-10/25
   availability & reservation

Tax:           6%
Gratuity:   15%
Meeting:   Gila
Airport:     Silver City
Transfer:  included
Horses:    Quarter
Tack:        Western
Level:       Low intermediate+  
Some riding experience is recommended; however, you need not be experienced.
Min/Max Riders: 5-15
Note:  The charge for massage is not included in the Cowgirl Camp rate. Appointments with Kim should be made in advance of your visit at the time of booking. Kim will make every effort to accommodate appointments scheduled during the week of your visit. The cost is $100 per person.

  see  Slide Show

Horses:
Our horses are gentle, trust-worthy, willing. Your horse and saddle will be selected especially for you by one of our professional wranglers, based on your own personal horseback riding skill level. Your comfort is our priority. Let us know if the "fit" isn't right.

Accommodations:
You will stay in comfortable, rustic cabins and guest houses. Each guest house is equipped with comfortable queen sized beds, thick down comforters, full baths, plush towels.
  see details on lodging

Cowgirl Camp Itinerary:

While the Staff  will make every effort to ensure you have a memorable experience during Cowgirl Camp, our program is never so structured that we can't or won't make adjustments to the itinerary. We always encourage you to tell us what you want or need!

Level 1 Clinic
Day 1...Sunday Afternoon - Arrive at the Ranch
Sunday Afternoon: Plan to arrive at the ranch in the afternoon, allowing time to settle into your cabin before 6 p.m. dinner. If flying into Silver City, or using the Shuttle from El Paso, the Ranch will pick you up in Silver City either at the Airport on the 5:30 p.m. flight or Shuttle Drop Off. Please advise the office in advance if you require a pick up. With airport security as it is, we will not assume anything. If using the Shuttle from El Paso, we must know your drop off location. Saturday morning Ranch departure for return: 6:15 a.m.
Day 2...Horsemanship!
You'll meet at the barn at 7 a.m. to groom, feed and saddle your horse. We invite all our guests to help with ranch chores. This is an option - not a requirement. If you would prefer not to help with feeding, cleaning pens, grooming and saddling please let Staff know. After an 8:30 a.m. breakfast, meet at the back at the barn to saddle up. Head for the arena and a morning horsemanship refresher course to make sure you are comfortable with your horse and saddle.
Scenic Trail Ride!
Participants may have varying levels of riding skill. Some of you will be complete beginners; some of you might be more advanced. Most of you will never have experienced this kind of terrain. Now is the time to ask questions, tell us what your goals are, let us know what kinds of problems you might be experiencing or what you might want to improve.
After a morning spent in the arena, you'll be ready for a relaxing afternoon trail ride. Because of the unique, varied terrain, expect to make numerous creek crossings, do some climbing up and down rugged, rocky surfaces or canyon exploration. This will probably be new country to most of you, so please don't be shy about asking your Wrangler what to do, what to watch for, how to handle it. Let us know if you are concerned about heights - before it becomes an issue!
Day 3...Team Penning!
Now that you've got the basics for riding your horse, put your new skills to work! Your 3-girl team will learn what it takes to sort, cut and track cattle, moving them from one end of the arena to the other, and into a 3-sided pen.
While this is a timed event, it's not always about speed...working cattle slowly is usually the best approach. In the event there are not enough "cowgirls" signed up for the week, Staff or other guests will help make up teams and everyone will participate.
Barrel Racing! Later, experience the basics of Barrel Racing, and satisfy your need for speed! Don't worry -- you can walk the barrels, too! Remember -- it's all about having FUN and learning!
Day 4...Roping!
Grab your lasso, Cowgirls! You're gonna learn to rope them doggies! Begin with the basics on the ground, using a hay bale and a roping dummy. Our instructors are professional ropers who are happy to show you the correct way to throw and coil a rope. After lunch, you'll be horseback in the corral safely roping real calves using a break-away rope!
Massage! You've "cowgirled up" for 3 days. It's time for a little pampering. As part of your Cowgirl Camp experience, the ranch has arranged for a Licensed Massage Therapist. We'll need to schedule your time in advance of your arrival, so please make sure the Office knows your preference. In the event you want to wait till you are here, we will do our best to accommodate your scheduling requirements. There is an additional charge of $75, payable at the time of service.
Day 5...Round Up
It's what Ranching is all about...are you ready for a Roundup? Find out what it takes to gather cattle from rugged, brushy country and move them to the branding pen! It's more than a "trail ride" - but, you have to find 'em first! Anyone having sensitivities with regard to moving and working cattle (including branding) should please let us know, in advance.
Day 6...Friday - Relaxing at your Cabin or Trail Ride
It's Friday, and you have options! Hike, swing in the hammock, or explore the surrounding area on horseback, using your newly acquired riding skills. We'll pack you a picnic lunch so you can travel to several Indian Ruins, ride through Hells Half Acre or the experience wonders of Horseshoe Canyon. These areas are spectacular!
Day 7...Saturday Departure
Depart the Ranch after a hearty breakfast - unless you are flying or taking the El Paso Shuttle. Remember -- Ranch Staff makes 2 trips into Silver City each week: Saturday morning departure at 6:15 a.m. and Sunday evening departure at 4:00 p.m. Please reconfirm your arrival/departure time with the airline or shuttle and advise the Ranch Office. Due to elevated airport security, we will not make any assumptions - and, neither should you!

Level 2 Clinic

Day 1 ... Sunday afternoon arrival: Arrive at the Ranch in the afternoon, relax and get settled. If you are flying into Silver City or taking the El Paso Shuttle, Ranch Staff will pick you up at 5:30 p.m. at either the airport or the shuttle drop-off. It's up to you to confirm your arrival/departure times and advise the Ranch Office prior to your arrival. Due to elevated airport security, we will not make any assumptions - and neither should you!
Day 2... Monday - Natural Horsemanship for the Advanced Rider
Natural Horsemanship for the Advanced Rider. RH Hobbs will spend the morning in the arena with you teaching you to ride bareback, do roll backs, side passing, 2-tracking, turning on the hocks, lead changes, flying lead changes and backing up. Natural Horsemanship is all about communicating with your horse. We'll teach you the techniques and cues to successfully accomplish this. If you have specific issues you want to address, now is the time to bring them up. After lunch, you'll take a leisurely ride along the creek. It's a great way to begin the week!
Day 3 ... Tuesday - Team Penning and Barrel Racing!
In the morning session, you'll have the opportunity to learn barrel racing with Kami Matthews. Kami is an honest-to-goodness cowgirl who grew up on ranching, roping, cattle and rodeo events. One of her aims is to enable you to gain a solid foundation in the basics of the sport. She'll help you perfect your turns, staying in the pocket, correct cues to your horse. Have questions?? Kami is the one to ask! After lunch, you'll saddle up to do some competitive team penning, finishing up with a short ride.
Day 4 ... Wednesday - Reining, Cutting, Fence Work!
The history of the unique working cow horse extends back hundreds of years. Learning is exciting and challenging! Reined Cow Horse consists of three events: herd work, rein work, and work with a single steer "down the fence," typically called cow work. You'll have a chance to try it all being led by a real pro - Jake Kuenstler. A professional rider and trainer, Jake has 20 years riding and teaching experience - and he enjoys both!
Day 5 ... Thursday - All Day Cattle Work
We'll pack you a lunch for an full day spent riding the ranch, looking for, moving or working whatever cattle you find. We know you'll have lots of opportunity to implement your newly learned skills.
Day 6 ... Friday - Cowboy Mounted Shooting!
Have you ever watched an old Western movie and marveled as the hero galloped his horse across the screen with reins in one hand, firing off shots left and right? Ever wished you could try it? If the romance and excitement of the Old West are calling, then Cowboy Mounted Shooting might be just the sport for you! The ranch owner Alan Eggleston will be instructing you in such areas as basic gun and horse safety, course and shooting techniques, pattern technique, developing team work between you and your horse and period clothing requirements. Alan is a CMSA Top Ten World Champion.
Day 7 ... Depart the Ranch
After breakfast, make sure you have all the contact information for the new friendships formed this week. Some of you will leave after breakfast. If you are flying from Silver City, Ranch Staff will be ready to leave the Ranch at 6:15 a.m. to get you to the El Paso Shuttle or Silver City Airport.
Please remember to reconfirm your arrival/departure times with both the Air Line or the Shuttle. Due to elevated airport security, we will not make any assumptions -- and neither should you! Advise the office once you reconfirm. There is no riding on Sunday.