2026 Marks the 50th Year of XP Rides.

We hope you can join us during our Golden Anniversary Year.

Please read this before moving on: The XP website is maintained by an old man with a fading memory and is subject to many errors. We post any current updates of importance at the top of the Home Page of the website. Below this message is the ride calendar. The home page has been updated and ride dates are current and should conform to the AERC calendar. Below the calendar, we post “Our Next Ride”. If the time of that ride has past, you may assume we are still busy finishing up the clean up and paperwork from that ride. We will get around to updating the information for the upcoming rides as soon as possible. If you find a conflict of information about the XP Rides, whether it be the correct date or something else please contact David or Ann Nicholson before putting anything on social media. We try to correct errors as soon as possible.

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2026 XPCalendar

Picket Post XP	Jan 2-3-4, 2026
Eastern Mojave XP	Feb 6-7-8, 2026
Laurel Mountain XP	Mar 13-14-15, 2026
Cuyama Oaks XP	Mar 27-28-29, 2026
Caballo Sin Nombre XP	April 17-18-19, 2026
Mt Carmel XP	May 7-8-9-10, 2026
Chicken Creek XP	Jun 13-14-15, 2026
Strawberry Fields XP	Jun 26-27-28, 2026
Grand Canyon XP	Sep 3-4-5-6, 2026
Colorado Fall Color XP	Sep 26-27-28, 2025Sep 25-26-27, 2026
Sesenta Años	Nov 7-8-9, 2025 Nov 6-7-8, 2026

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Our Next Ride

Strawberry Fields

The Strawberry Fields Forever XP

June 26-27-28, 2026

The 2rth Annual Strawberry Ride is an AERC sanctioned event

Basic Ride Info: The Strawberry Fields Endurance Ride is one of the most beautiful rides in the Mountain Region. The base camp is located just north of Strawberry Reservoir, in the Uintah Mountains. The camp is a couple of miles north of US Hwy 40, about 20 miles east of Heber, Utah. This is a ride to enjoy in a friendly, relaxed environment. The terrain is challenging, but not difficult, with trails winding through aspens and meadows filled with wildflowers and spectacular mountain scenery. There will be 15 through 5o mile rides for the XP Club rides There will be 15 to 5o mile rides for the XP Club rides, AERC intro rides, fun rides and 25 thru 50 mile rides for the AERC riders. Because of the relatively normal winter, we are hoping to take the riders back up to the spectacular high mountain trails and red cliffs again. Come early, stay late and savor the pure mountain atmosphere. Sightings of deer, elk, moose and beaver are not uncommon. Look for bald eagles and hawks soaring above. The scenic value of this ride is what makes it truly unique and special, and if taken at a moderate pace, this is a ride to cherish and remember forever. We look forward to seeing everyone again this summer.

Trail Description: The trails are mostly single track through woodland and open meadows with some gravel roads. There are plenty of creeks and ponds, and an abundance of green grass for horses to snack on. Although it is high altitude, there is significant elevation change. The trails are not difficult and the footing is generally very good. This is an excellent opportunity for those wishing to be introduced to the sport of Endurance Riding in a friendly, relaxed, environment and there will be people around who would be pleased to show you the ropes and get you started.

DIRECTIONS: Base camp is about 55 miles south east of Salt Lake City, Utah, with easy access. From Heber City, take Hwy 40 eastbound for approximately 25 miles. You will go over Daniel’s Pass and the Daniels Summit Lodge. Base camp was moved to Co-op Creek in 2015. 7.6 miles east of Daniels Summit Lodge you will see the sign for the Co-Op Creek Road. The turn off is between milepost 41 and 42. Turn left and continue on the good gravel road for approximately 2 miles then turn left on Forest Road 451 to Base Camp. You can use these directions as an address for health certificates. Do Not follow Google Directions. Those instructions are over 10 years old and were wrong coming from many directions.

If you are coming from the east, the turn off is about about 5 miles west of Fruitland on Hwy 40. Turn right at CO‑Op Creek.

We plan for the 50 milers to start at 7am and the 25 milers at 7:30am, but weather and trail conditions could dictate a last minute change in plans. Daytime temperatures usually range from 70 to 80 degrees, and you can expect the occasional thunder shower so come prepared. The nights can get chilly so warm jackets and horse blankets are advised. Annie is unable to cook for the riders but she will be providing the famous XP free lunches.

Health Certificates are required for horses coming from out of state. Use: End of FR451, 7.6 Miles E of Daniels Summit, US-40, Heber City, UT 84032

For more information contact Ride Manager:

Cell and internet service is poor at the ride site. Emails and text work best but don’t be frustrated by no response as we may have to travel some distance from camp to make contact.

Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819

Dave Nicholson, 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150

Enter this ride.

Phone 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150 or e-mail duck@xprides.com

Entry Fees

The following is our basic fee structure for 2026:

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 $10.00 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.

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.

For more information contact Ride Manager:

Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819

Dave Nicholson, 970 880 0150

Enter this ride.