Karen, Sherry and Janice Trail riding in the Sandia Mountains

It was the middle of February and we were able to ride in the Gutierrez Open Space in the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, with an altitude of over 8,000 feet! We navigated through some mud and leftover snow but overall what a beautiful ride! That is why we live in New Mexico! Our friend and good riding buddy Karen had some friends from Ohio visiting and it was our pleasure to escort them into the open space. They were overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains and the views offered by our well worn trail! Only 2 weeks ago, we like many others in the country experienced zero and below temperatures, freezing pipes and lots of snow, but our beautiful ‘Land of Enchantment’ doesn’t disappoint; we were enjoying 50 degree weather and gorgeous sunshine!  they enjoyed their ride on the amazing horses from Enchanted Gaits Farm and will be forever converts to the gaited horse community!

This is why we live in New Mexico, horseback riding in January!  Sure we needed coats and Rip even brought his scarf but as you can see it was warm enough to get the horses sweaty!  A good time was had by all, perfect blue sky not a cloud in sight!  We sympathize with those who are dealing with ice and snow and all we have to say is “move to New Mexico”!

Where else but New Mexico can you ride year round?  In the summer we typically stay in the mountains and in the winter we travel down to the Bosque and ride by the Rio Grande!  An added bonus is seeing the geese, herons, and ducks on the river!  I’ve even read that we get Pelicans in New Mexico, I have yet to see them but apparently they come to enjoy our beautiful weather!

A mid week ride to enjoy the beautiful weather was scheduled for this week in honor of our State Representative Kathy McCoy. Kathy was instrumental in the purchase of the land tracts for the Gutierrez Open Space. We invited Rep McCoy to ride with us through the Open Space to show our appreciation for her hard work in getting the project approved and making it happen so that now we have this beautiful place for riders and hikers for generations to come.

As is customary we enjoy a short break and lunch at one of the restaurants near the hitching posts on the N 14 side of the Gutierrez Open Space.  As we enjoyed lunch and conversation we had an exceedingly lucky break to catch a glimpse of the well known long rider, Bernice Ende, who is currently on a 7000 mile, 2 1/2 year ride.  Unfortunately we didn’t get a picture of her and her Thoroughbred but that will be remedied at the potluck in her honor this weekend! 

Thanks again to Representative Kathy McCoy for all her work in getting this fabulous Open Space!

Even though the area was weather forecast was to have significant wind the adventurous  Trio: Liz, Leigh and Linda, decided to try the La Cienega Trail hoping the wind would be less.  The winds were very strong in Guiterrez

R & R

Canyon, annoying the horses no end when their hay was blowing out of their pens.

Most horses are jumpy in the wind, never knowing what is going to jump out at them from the bushes.  Paso’s are of Spanish Blood and typically have more brio or spirit;   however this doesn’t translate to spooky or crazy.  In a well trained animal there minds are so good that they typically don’t spook or bolt!

Saddled and ready we took the blacktop road to the trail.  It was a busy

Leigh and the gaiting Grace

weekend with several cars driving cautiously by.  However a brain dead skateboarder came whizzing by us at a fast rate of speed.  Thank goodness once again for good minds, the horses didn’t skip a beat!

These are not really mature horses they are all rather young.  Casanova is the old man at 6, both Rip and Amazing Grace are 4 years old.   There was no bolting or going sideways they all just kept the beat!  Another reason to ride Gaited!

Saturday March 21, the first day of spring found us on the ride through the

Boy Scout troup

Gutierrez Open Space.  It was a beautiful spring day and the ride was very pleasant with beautiful weather and an uneventful ride; which is a very good thing when you’re on horseback!  When we arrived at the fenced area between the Post Office, Ribs and Sandia Crust Pizza, we were surprised to find quite a crowd!  A local boy scout troupe in addition to some Open Space Officers were clearing a new trail into the open space.  This was a welcome sight to see this new trail head as on an earlier ride several horses slipped on the muddy hill and nearly went down.  This new trail head consists of switch backs that aren’t so treacherous!  Thanks to the Open Space Folks and the local Boy Scouts for their hard work!  We had just a few suggestions for the Open Space guys!  They are going to install 2 more tie rails to accommodate more horses, as it is only 5 or 6 horses can be safely tied, and the other suggestion was a water trough for the horses.   The water will have to be provided by the merchants as the Open Space folks have no way of funding this.  Hopefully one of the restaurants that benefit from our patronage will consider this, (hint  hint)!

We had a lovely lunch at the Sandia Crust Pizza, this is a very nice addition to the East Mountain cuisine!  I’m sure we’ll be frequenting them regularly!  We’re usually a hungry and thirsty group; not to mention we’re a lot of fun too!

Happy Trails!

The newly opened Gutierrez Open Space is a great afternoon ride, just 15 minutes from Tramway Blvd and Central in Albuquerque.   it is located  between Hwy 14 and Gutierrez Canyon Rd.  It can be accessed from either Gutierrez Canyon Rd or Hwy 14.  Just behind the post office there is a parking area and a fenced area with a hitching post, they even planted corn for the horses to snack on!

The 400 acres was rescued from development by the Milne family and Mayor Martin Chavez who took on the task of having the city manage it through the open space network.  The $2.2 million purchase was funded by the City of Albuquerque, capital outlays from the New Mexico legislature, and New Mexico Land, Wildlife, and Clean Energy funds.  Key support was provided by Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, Senator Kent Cravens, Representative Kathy McCoy, Representative Mimi Stewart, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, and Albuquerque Councilors Isaac Benton and Martin Heinrich.  Thanks to all of them for keeping the area for all of us to enjoy!

The ride takes about 1.5 hours each way.  There are a few steep and rocky areas but mostly just a fun trail ride!  We opted for lunch at Ribs but there is also a coffee shop/deli called Woobies that is terrific as well!  (Tell Linda I sent you!)

Our friends Radu and Daniela joined us from Texas with their Arabian endurance horse and Paso fino; they took these great pictures.

Here is the Utube video taken by Daniella as we rode, of course it was mostly of the guys they are the publicity hams!

gutierrez canyon ride