On August 6th, 2025 The XP Riders lost Karen Fredrickson, a friend to all who knew her. Karen was much more than just a friend to the Nicholson Family. She was an XP Board member and was frequently called upon for advice. Her wise counsel often tempered my quick temper. Karen was always there to offer advice for the XP Rides, as well as advice and encouragement for matters on our small Colorado farm. I can’t begin to express the pain in our hearts from this loss. A full copy of her obituary can be found at the link below.

https://xprides.com/our-friend-karen-fredricksons-obituary/

Our Next Ride

Sesenta Años

November 7-8-9,2025
25 and 30 and 50 all days; plus 10-15 or more XP Club/intro rides all days

Annie is once again providing free lunches to those willing to assume the risk of eating in a remote camping situation.

This ride is not managed by either Annie or Dave. It is not a typical XP ride.  We will continue to help John Parke manage this ride in 2025 but he is the manager and will make all the ride decisions. We usually do not send out entry replies until the week before the ride.  At that time we will send out the pre ride information and .gpx files that can be loaded into the program or device of your choice. 

John is laying out new trails for the AERC event that will stay in the lower elevations and be easier than the steeper trails in the back country. Those interested in seeing the backcountry should enter the XP club events which will require similar effort for horse and rider as the AERC but will the mileage will be adjusted to keep finishing times the same as the traditional endurance rides of yesteryear.

Ride Location: This ride will be held on the beautiful Rancho San Fernando Rey in the upper Santa Ynez River Valley north of Santa Barbara. This is an original Spanish land grant rancho of 37,000 acres looking much like it did 200 years ago. The terrain is classic central California rolling hills and valleys covered with oaks and grass. Unlike John’s ride twelve years ago, this time the basecamp and every inch of the trail will be located on the Ranch.

Trail Description: There will be a different trail each day. There will be plenty of water on the trail at spring fed stock tanks. The trail will mostly use dirt ranch roads and cow trails. Since it may still be very dry in mid November, hoof protection is advisable.

Rules: The rules of the American Endurance Ride Conference will apply. The ride is open to every breed of horse or mule. AERC rules require horses entering the 50 mile ride to be 5 years or older and horses in the 25 mile ride to be at least 4 years old. Since John rides perhaps the strangest horse in endurance, he encourages everyone with a reasonably fit trail horse whether it is an Arab, a quarterhorse, a gaited horse, a mule, or whatever, to give at least one of the shorter distances a try. In addition to the AERC rules there are some things about the XP Rides that differ from other Socal rides. Please take the time to read our thoughts on medications, riding vs racing, and general behavior of riders and crew members.  Our family and friends organize these events to have fun. They are not intended to be high class international competitions.

Special Considerations: Because this is a private ranch, the Rancho San Fernando Rey’s own release form must be signed by every single person coming onto the property, whether as a rider, a crew, a volunteer or anything else. You will not be allowed to enter the Ranch without a signed RSFR release for every person in your vehicle. To protect the ranch roads and the pasture where the basecamp is located, the ride will be cancelled in case of substantial rain during or immediately before the ride. Because this is a working cattle operation, loose dogs will not be tolerated. Best to leave your dog at home .

Early Arrivals:   If you need to arrive before Thursday, John suggests you contact Rancho Oso, a private equestrian campground just a few minutes down the road from the ranch entrance.  Ranch Oso has excellent facilities.  Camp for Sesenta Anos will open on Thursday, November 7th.

From the south: drive through Santa Barbara on Highway 101, turn onto Highway 154 over San Marcos Pass, turn right onto Paradise Road a mile or so after crossing the bridge, turn left after a mile or so into the Ranch at our sign. If you are concerned about going up San Marcos Pass with a really big rig, then stay on 101 until Buellton, turn right onto Highway 246, and turn right onto Highway 154 to join those coming from the north.

From the north: drive through Santa Maria on Highway 101, turn onto Highway 154, turn left onto Paradise Road after passing Lake Cachuma, turn into the Ranch at our sign.

Address for Health Certificates:  Rancho San Fernando Rey, 166 Paradise Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.  If you are already IN California,  you don’t need a health certificate.

Entry Fees:

AERC Per Day      $150.00 check or $155.00 Paypal

XP club rides and Juniors Per Day            $120.00 check or $125.00 Paypal

The fees are the same for the 50 mile and 25 mile rides which includes the increased camping and drug fees for this years event. The increase in fees DOES NOT cover the increases in expenses for ride management but we are doing our best to keep the sport affordable for everyone. Fun riders enter the XP event. A minimum number of entries with prepayment is required. After this minimum is reached we will accept post entries. After entering online you can pay via the Paypal friends and family option or send a check to Ann Nicholson, 19898 Road V, Lewis, Colorado 81327. The Paypal address is entry@xprides.com

Important Notice re Post Entries and Refunds

Cancellations before October 31, 2025 will receive a full refund. After that date, there will be NO refunds without a vet certificate.  Once we have sufficient entries to meet the expenses of the event we will accept post entries with a $20.00 post entry fee.

For more information contact:

John Parke’s assistants:

Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819

Dave Nicholson, 970 880 0150 ~ 907 209 8881
ridemanager@xprides.com

Rancho San Fernando Rey Release Form https://xprides.com/rsfr-release-form/

ENTER THIS RIDE

Entry Fees for all XP events except Sesenta Anos and Cuyama.

The following is our basic fee structure for 2025:

LD and Endurance Distances are $135.00 / PayPal $140.50

Juniors, Intro riders and XP club riders are $100 / PayPal $104.00

Riders who are not current members of AERC riding an AERC LD or Endurance ride pay an additional $20.00 non-member fee per day. $155.00 / PayPal $161.20

Riders who enter within 4 days of a ride add $15.00 post entry fee

REFUND POLICY

Cancellation Refunds:  Ride entry withdrawal requests received via email on/before 1800 on the 7th day prior to the first day of the ride will receive a full refund. There will be an administrative fee for refunds during the week prior to the ride. No refund for withdrawals within for no shows.

AERC has raised their non member fee to $20.00 per day.  AERC non members are charged a day member fee of $20.00 to participate in the AERC sanctioned ride.  This does not apply to the intro/fun/xp club rides.

Mail your checks to Ann Nicholson at 19898 Road V, Lewis, CO 81327 or you can use PayPal and send to entry@xprides.com. When you make the payment let us know by return email that you are coming and which days you are planning on riding.

HEALTH CERTIFICATES

All states where we hold rides generally require a CVI (health certificate) for equines crossing state lines. There may be an exception between some states that border each other, like CA and OR and you should either check with your veterinarian or look up that information online.

Weed free certified hay is required on all public lands in the United States.  Weed free pellets are usually available at feed stores in the area.

AWARDS

Individual awards are available for the fastest time and best condition each day.  An overall award will be given to the horse and rider finishing in the fastest time for all four days.  An overall best condition award for the horse that completes all four days in the best condition will also be awarded.  Completion awards will be given to all successful horse and rider teams.

Entry Fees:

AERC per day    $135.00 check  or $140 PayPal for members. $155.00 per day check or $160.00 per day for non members. Please make sure your membership is current as we will be charged an extra $20.00 per day for the AERC daily non member fee. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO PAY FOR THE AERC NON MEMBER FEES ARE THOSE WHO ARE RIDING THE AERC ENDURANCE OR LIMITED DISTANCE RIDES. INTRO RIDERS, FUN RIDERS OR XP CLUB RIDERS DO NOT PAY THE AERC NON MEMBER FEE.

XP per day           $110.00 check or $115 PayPal

Payment can be sent to 19898 Road V, Lewis, CO 81327 or entry@xprides.com via Paypal.

All riders will automatically become members of XP Riders when they participate in an XP Ride. 

We appreciate the online pre-entries as it helps us plan and reduces the last minute bookkeeping, but we welcome last minute entries on site as well.

Phone 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150 for Dave 

email duck@xprides.com

Phone 907 821 1819 for Annie  e-mail annie@xprides.com

If you find something confusing or in error in this message please contact me personally and I will clear it up.

If you are not a paid up AERC member we will assume you are riding the XP Club ride and the results will not be turned into AERC.

For more information contact Ride Manager:

Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819

Dave Nicholson, 970 880 0150

Enter this ride.

Copyright © 2025 XP Rides

2025 XP Calendar