Writing Horseback

Horses & Hospitality go hand in hand on a horseback riding vacation at Sunriver Stables

 Sunriver Stables Horseback Riding Vacation

As Diana and I left Sunriver Stables and trotted along beside the Deschutes River, my memory bank worked hard to roll back the years in my mind. How many years ago did I trot along this very trail as a horse-crazy youngster? I had come to love Sunriver Resort as a child. Our family returned each summer to Central Oregon for an eagerly anticipated horseback riding vacation.

Sunriver Stables in the 70’s

Back in the day, Sunriver Stables hosted breakfast horseback riding vacations and cowboy cookouts. Our two children, teenagers now, remember the time when the cowboys arrived on horseback at our chuck wagon dinner. The horses wild-eyed, nostrils flaring, carried gun blazing cowboys into our campsite. Our children were delighted when the bandits shared their “loot” of gold nuggets with the young buckaroos at the dinner table.

While Sunriver Stables no longer offers breakfast or dinner horseback rides,  I remain a faithful fan of Sunriver Stables. Owners Jon and Jackie Russell maintain a herd of 85 well cared for horses at Sunriver Resort and offer welcoming hospitality.

There are many options for your Central Oregon horseback riding vacation. Beginning and not-too-frequent riders will enjoy the 1/2 hour Bald Eagle Loop along the Deschutes River and through the Sunriver Meadows.  The one hour Frontier Ride starts along the Deschutes River and continues into Sunriver’s wooded area. 

Nancy D. Brown riding George and Sunriver Stables Guide Diana on a horseback riding vacation in Central Oregon.

Horseback Riding Vacation for Advanced Equestrians

Often, I have equestrians ask me if I have horse ranch suggestions for advanced riders. While most dude ranches and stables are limited to “walk only” trail rides due to insurance policy restrictions, there are a few places that cater to the advanced rider. Arizona’s Kay El Bar Ranch, California’s Ricochet Ridge Ranch and Sunriver Stables have all offered wonderful horseback riding vacation options for advanced riders once the equestrian  has demonstrated their horseback riding ability.

On this July visit to Sunriver Stables, I took a two hour private trail ride to Ramsey Ridge. Guide Diana and I crossed Cardinal Landing Bridge and entered the Deschutes National Forest, offering sweeping views of the Sunriver Meadows, Sunriver Resort and Newberry Volcanic National Monument.

Sunriver Stables cowgirls look forward to helping you enjoy a first-class horseback riding vacation in Central Oregon.

Camp Abbott – A History Lesson

For the history buffs amongst us, in 1943 the US Army claimed what is now known as Sunriver Meadows and used the area as training grounds, calling it Camp Abbott. It appeared that Central Oregon, with the Deschutes River running through the meadow, was a brilliant location for demolition experts to train, build and blow up bridges in this remote, high desert area.

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If You Go:

Sunriver Stables  (541) 593-6995

17600 Center Dr. Sunriver, OR 97707

Related Posts:

Sunriver Resort a Horseback Riding Vacation in Central Oregon

Cowboy Christmas in Sisters, Oregon

Long Hollow Ranch, Sisters, Oregon

Photos, YouTube video and article by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip. I was a guest of Sunriver Stables.

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