OUR NEXT RIDE:
COLORADO FALL COLOR XP
Mancos, Colorado
September 27-28-29, 2024
An AERC 50 & 25 or 30 each day. XP Club rides of all distances. XP Club events are perfect for new and old riders alike. Distances subject to last minute adjustments for weather.
Basic Ride Info: A General Description of this ride is a no frills, low budget, relaxed training ride that will offer riders an opportunity to camp out with friends and ride around the one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the world. The camp is in a beautiful meadow, a short way off of a paved road. Basic necessities are available eight miles away in Mancos. The trails consist of single track mountain trails and 48 inch OHV trails mixed with some Forest Service roads. There is abundant natural water on the trail. The ride takes place during the fall color season when the aspen trees are turning yellow and gold. The pictures replace a thousand words. This is a time of year when the weather can change quickly in the mountains so be prepared with layered clothing. Fifty years ago we all rode with a slicker tied onto the back of our saddles as afternoon showers were the rule instead of the exception. I have no idea why modern riders have abandoned that practice. The footing varies from soft dirt to rocky so hoof protection is recommended. Annie is no longer doing dinners but she continues to offer free lunches to riders and crews.
Ride Rules are generally the same as AERC rules as interpreted by the ride manager and her advisors. However, be aware this ride has completion requirements that differ from AERC in that the control judges can and will pull horses that do not recover to their satisfaction. The ride is conducted by the XP Riders and will offer less strenuous distances and less formalities for those wanting to just have fun. The AERC intro rides are included in the XP Club rides. We try to tailor the intro/club rides to the wants and needs of the individual riders. The rules are simple and our focus is on having a good time and not getting our equine friends in trouble.
Certified weed free hay is required on all public lands. This has been the rule for many years so it surprises us that so many people are surprised by it being required. Almost all farm stores have baled weed free hay available. There are two farm stores in Cortez, Intermountain Farmers on Hwy 491 heading north out of town is just past the Maverick station that has the cheapest gas in the county. The Big R store is on the east side of town on Hwy 160 (Main Street). There is another Maverick station on Hwy 160 as you are leaving town heading east.
Directions: Base camp is located north of Mancos, CO. Mancos is on Hwy 160 located between Durango and Cortez. From Hwy 160 in Mancos, turn north at the only stoplight in town onto Hwy 184. Follow 184 north for approximately one-half mile, then turn right onto the paved road toward Jackson Lake. Continue 7.6 miles to the campground in the meadow on your left. The turn off to the camp is just past the second cattle guard, which is the one with the loading chute for the cattle corrals on the left.
Location for Health Certificates: Forest Road 561 at Doc Lowell Flat, Mancos, Colorado.
GPS Coordinates: 37.44408, -108.23305
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.
Entry Fees
The following is our basic fee structure for 2024:
LD and Endurance Distances are $135.00 / PayPal $140.50 per day.
Juniors, Intro riders and XP club riders are $100 / PayPal $104.00 per day
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.
All we require to be registered for the ride is a prepayment for one day of riding. Even if you are planning on riding more days you only need to prepay for one day. There will be no post entry fee for riders that have made that first day’s payment. Why do we do this after over fifty years of just trusting people? It’s because we are getting more and more riders/people who seem to enter a ride and then never show up. This problem has now got to the place it has been almost 50% no shows at some rides. This often means we have to find a way to bring a third vehicle and order more food and awards than we need. I wish we could just go back to the simplicity of former years but we all live in a new world that I really don’t like.
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 48 hours prior to the start of the ride, or 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.
Ann Nicholson, 907 821 1819
Dave Nicholson 970 880 0150
2024 XP Calendar
All XP Rides offer Endurance Distances as well as Limited Distance and Low Distance XP Club Rides, also known as Intro Rides.
September 27-28-29, 2024 Colorado Fall Colors XP
Mancos, Colorado
November 7-8-9, 2024 Sesenta Años
John Parke’s Ride
Santa Barbara, California
If you are experiencing trouble entering a ride you can always send an email to entry@xprides.com with the information on the entry form.
Dates for 2025
The final dates for 2025 have been approved and should show up shortly on the AERC calendar. Unfortunately the Virgin Outlaw XP venue is no longer available. Picket Post has been moved to early January to replace the Death Valley Encounter for 2025. We have obtained a permit to do the Eastern Mojave again. Its only 3 days for 25 but may expand to a 4 day if all goes well. The other change for 2025 is to move Chicken Creek to June in order to beat the heat and the monsoons.