Ride report: Zapata Ranch
Western riding enthusiast Raphaelle visited
Zapata Ranch in the fall of 2019. In this blog post, she shares her favourite
memories from her stay at this beautiful guest ranch located on the foothills
of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range and the Great Sand Dunes National Park,
in Colorado.
Before getting there, what did you expect from your
ranch holiday at Zapata?
I had been to several guest ranches previous
to Zapata, and also a few working ranches, but Zapata is rather unique since it
really offers both experiences at the same time (guest/working ranch). I was
expecting the flexibility and comfort of a guest ranch and also hoping for the
authenticity and experience of real cattle work with long hours in the saddle. And
that’s what I got!
The ranch is known for its excellent, and most
importantly personalised, levels of service. Each guest receives a tailored
itinerary to match their riding ability and requirements for their stay – trail
riding, working with cattle, riding with bison… this can even include non-riding
activities. What did your own stay look like?
I was really surprised by how special
the ranch team make you feel. Upon arrival, I was given a unique and
personalized itinerary, and the staff insisted that anything I wasn’t happy or comfortable
with could be amended. They offered me different horseback rides and cattle
driving, but also arranged a hike to a lovely waterfall, and a cooking
class. It’s so important to let your agent know about your preferences so that
the ranch can really organise what suits you best. They always organise private
rides for your party or family, which really makes a difference because you get
to share and experience so much more! I was travelling on my own so I got a wrangler
“for myself”. She was great! Having my own wrangler meant we could canter more
often (whenever I wanted to, really). It’s very far from the nose-to-tail
riding experience many people are worried about when they choose a riding
holiday and a ranch vacation.
We hear riding with bison is a very special
experience. What did you think?
It’s truly an experience of a
lifetime. I studied American history and literature in College, something I’ve
always been interested in. When I first rode my horse close to the bison herd,
with absolutely no sign of human life around us, I felt like one of those
pioneers from back in the day! The bison were just out there, in this beautiful
environment, grazing with their calves just like they would before the arrival
of men in the Great Plains. No words can describe it; you just have to live it!
What is trail riding like at Zapata? You went
as an experienced rider – did the rides meet your expectations?
Absolutely! As you only ride with the
members of your own party, you never have to ride with people who are less experienced (or more experienced!). I was travelling on my own, and my wrangler always made sure
I was happy with the pace. We did not have
to ride in a line either; we cantered side by side which was amazing – a
really exhilarating feeling.
Can you tell us a little about the horses? I’m
guessing you would have loved to take at least one of them home with you – it
seems to be a very standard occurrence on our ranch holidays!
Oh yes, they do know how to match
horse and rider!! I was matched with Reba, a beautiful
Paint mare. She was exactly what I love about a horse. Forward-going, but
responsive and listening well to her rider. Sure-footed, we even cantered on
the dune and she never put a foot wrong!
Let’s talk about the ranch in itself. What did
you think of the lodge and rooms? We’ve also heard really good things about the
food…! Did you get to try some of their ranch-raised bison meat?
I would describe the accommodation at
the ranch as really cosy and modern at the same time. The rooms are large and
airy, decorated in the western tradition, with fantastic views. My bed was a very
comfortable king-size bed. As opposed to some of the other ranches where I’ve
stayed, you don’t have to pay extra for a single room there, and you don’t have
to share with another rider. The lodge really has a homey feel to it, there’s a
warm living room area with a fireplace, beautiful scenery all around... And don’t
get me started on the food... the Chef is simply amazing. Never have I eaten so
well on a ranch holiday before! Where other ranches serve very tasty but
simpler, more traditional food, the meals at Zapata are a bit more refined. And
that’s always very welcome after a day in the saddle kicking dust! The meals
were always tasty and came with delicious sides: home-grown veggies, roasted
potatoes... And yes, make sure to try
their bison meat, it delicious (except if you’re vegetarian, of course!).
We recommend Zapata ranch for its beautiful
surroundings. The ranch is ideally located near the Sangre de Cristo mountain
range and the Great Sand Dunes national park. This is a very scenic area – can
you confirm?
Yes, it’s actually one of the most
unique and breathtaking locations I have visited in the US. All of the ranches
where I’ve stayed where located in amazing places, but Zapata's location in the foothills of the Great Sand Dunes National park is very special. It truly
is one of the most spectacular spots in Colorado. You can ride 7 times a
week and not see the same landscape twice. It’s really special. It’s also easy
to reach, an easy 4h drive from Denver and a great scenic drive. I would really
encourage other riders to hire a care and drive there to enjoy the surrounding
area. Make a road trip out of it too!
This ranch holidays focuses strongly
on conservation and offers opportunities for educational nature experiences.
Did you get to try any of this?
I
did not stay long enough to go on a hike with a naturalist guide, but I talked
a lot about conservation with Kate, the manager, and Claire, my wrangler. I
loved how Zapata ranch is committed to protecting and respecting the
environment and biodiversity of the plains. They are not an extensive cattle
company – nothing like what might comes to mind when American agriculture is
mentioned. They really focus on managing soil, water, and pastures in a proper
way. Their choice to maintain a bison herd, the original king of these Plains,
is also fascinating. You know that the whole team shares the same values when
it comes to not only horsemanship, but also environmental preservation and
awareness.
What was the highlight of your stay?
It would have to be my
trail ride in the Sand Dunes. It was just my wrangler Claire and I, alone in
the silent, gigantic dunes, cantering away, then letting the horses rest while we
enjoyed a delicious picnic on top of the dunes, facing the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains. The landscape sometimes felt like the Sahara desert… But then a minute after it looked entirely different. The Great Sand Dunes nature
reserve is unbelievable. Such a great place to ride. We spotted a coyote, and
in the background, the bison herd grazing. Picture perfect!
You had the chance to experience
several other western riding holidays before visiting Zapata in 2019. How did
this experience compare with some of your other riding vacations?
My
stay at Zapata ranch definitely stands out. I honestly enjoyed all of my ranch
stays, and they all have something special about them: the place, the people, the
connection with the horse... But people at the Zapata really focus on the
experience and make sure that every guest makes the most of their riding holiday. They have great
horses, passionate staff, a fascinating family history, and of course the most
amazing location. All together, it was a
perfect trip!
Any advice or recommendations for
fellow riders visiting the ranch?
Several
times a year, I know that Zapata offers special weeks including a branding week, as well as painting or
literature weeks. Perhaps a good way to combine horseback riding with an art
retreat. I believe that the ranch is a very inspiring place for writers and
painters, and a great place to meet new people. If you want to experience
something really different and more immersive, you can combine this stay with a
few days in the family’s other property, the Chico Basin ranch. They are just a
couple hours’ drive, west of the Zapata. They only accommodate 2 to 4 people at
a time (rarely more than 2). You will be made to feel like a cowboy or cowgirl
with authentic and simple accommodations, long days in the saddle and almost a
whole team of wranglers to yourself, participating in the everyday life of a
western cattle station.
More information
For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Zapata Ranch, and our selection of ranch holidays on our website.
You can also contact us directly at info@equus-journeys.com or give us a call on +44 (0)1905 388 977