COVER STORY
Sky Hawk Ranch
by Madison Mills PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOB AND TRACY STOUT Discover the Benefi ts of Competitive and Leisure Trail Riding B
ob and tracy stout know fi rsthand the benefi ts that competitive and leisure trail riding have to offer. A vehicle accident in 2006 left Tracy with brain damage and multiple
physical handicaps including vision and balance impairment and a titanium rod from knee to ankle repairing the 8 fractures in her left leg alone. Having to relearn to walk, dress herself and handle a knife and fork again was just the start of a long and frustrating rehabilitation for the former expert skier, world-class scuba diver, and accomplished equestrian. Though she regained her coordina- tion, Tracy found that she still lacked the ability and confi dence to go anywhere on any horse. Just trying to mount a horse was overwhelming as part of her vision disability was seeing multiples of objects and it was exhausting to ride over what appeared to be constantly undulating terrain. Tracy’s will to retrieve her lost skills began by trusting in the
natural abilities and courage of horses and it gave her a new focus: competitive trail. With Bob’s support, Tracy went on to win 3 reserve championships at the Mountain Trail Competitions in Eugene, Oregon. After discovering a passion for trail and seeing the benefi ts that can come from it, Bob and Tracy wanted to share this new and exciting equestrian discipline with others in a place of unmatched beauty: Sky Hawk Ranch. The majestic Cascade Mountains serve as the backdrop for the
many amenities available within Sky Hawk Ranch’s beautiful 217 acres located in Redmond, Oregon. Visitors to the ranch continually recognize that it is set apart from other facilities in the Northwest. Sky Hawk Ranch is graced not only with beautiful surroundings, but with enhancements such as an event center, two outdoor arenas and a covered arena, a cutting pen and additional cattle handling facili- ties, a competition trail course and private trails through meadows and high desert terrain.
The Trail Course at Sky Hawk Ranch encompasses the vision Bob and Tracy had for their facility. As Tracy discovered, navigating obstacles on a trail course isn’t just fun, it engages the brain and builds skill and courage for both horse and rider. For the competi- tive show horse, navigating obstacles fi nds new purpose for trained maneuvers and body control cues. After executing a 360 degree turn on a suspended bridge, a haunch turn in a groomed arena will feel like a day off. For the young horse, each obstacle becomes a way to get him focused on what is right in front of him. Through obstacles such as the balance beam, he will learn the importance of carefully placing each foot where it needs to go. Negotiating obstacles will also build a young horse’s confi dence and help to develop a solid partnership with his rider. A trail course like the one at Sky Hawk Ranch is especially benefi -
cial for the trail horse. Exposing your horse to each obstacle in a safe environment will help prepare you both for what you might come across on a real trail. Backing through the “L,” or out of the ditch,
6 August 2012 The Northwest Horse Source
www.nwhorsesource.com The energy at Sky Hawk Ranch is also special — not only posi-
tive, but innovative and nurturing. The Stouts envisioned an equine facility that would welcome equestrians and horses from all disci- plines. The Ranch is a place where anyone, at any riding level, can come with a goal, enjoy the scenery and camaraderie of fellow equestrians, and further their horsemanship knowledge while accomplishing that goal.
PAID ADVERTISEMENTTISEMENT
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