Have you ever considered horse camping by packing in your food and gear but don’t know how to get started? Get ready to gain experience and knowledge, plus have some fun, at the 2018 Backcountry Horsemen Rendezvous the weekend of April 13-15, 2018 at the Paso Robles Event Center.
Shirley is an experienced “packer” and got involved when she wanted to pack into the Sierras and needed supplies. She says, “There is just so much to see and do at the Rendezvous. All the days will have fun and learning. Saturday has the most going on with the Pack scramble, Matt Sheridan – equine clinician, Jerry Goane – equine dentist, vendors, saw demos . . . oh and the Dutch Oven cooking demo – Kaye Bruns puts out great samples for everyone!”
2018 Backcountry Horsemen Rendezvous Activities
You will get hands-on experience through a variety of fun events:
- Packing clinics
- Fun and games in the Kids Corral
- Western Art Show
- Mantee Contest
- Presentations by vets and farriers,
- Trail Challenge and Horseback Games (Preregistration needed to participate)
- Packing competitions
- Dutch Oven Cooking demonstration
- Classroom discussions with topics including saddle fitting, plant identification and safety, and proper equipment use.
The BLM will be attending all weekend with some animals ready for adoption.
Dinners, Bands, Awards . . . Join in on the Fun!
Monte Mills & The Lucky Horseshoe Band will provide live music for Friday night’s dinner and dance – $55 per person with a pre-purchased ticket. A wine, beer, and cheese tasting will be offered Saturday before the evening dinner ($30). Saturday night is the auction and awards ceremony which are free to attend. Come see the great auction items you can bid on.
The public is welcome to attend all sessions. Riders and packers statewide are invited to take part in training sessions, equestrian games, auctions and family fun. Make arrangements to camp at the Fairgrounds and stable your horses/mules. You can find the registration information for all events, camping and stabling at BCHCalifornia.org.
General admission to all events is free but Friday and Saturday night dinner and wine tasting activities require a ticket. For specific questions you can e-mail Shirley Rasmussen here: shirleyjras@gmail.com
Our local chapter of Backcountry Horsemen of California (BCHC – Los Padres Unit) is organizing this event. BCHC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to improving and promoting the use, care, and development of California backcountry trails, campsites, streams and meadows. BCHC includes 2,500 members in 22 units across the state, and is one of 28 other state and affiliate organizations that make up Back Country Horsemen of America, Inc. (BCHA).
Yes, It’s time to get horse packing! Get this 2018 Backcountry Horseman Rendezvous, April 13-15, 2018 at the Paso Robles Event Center, on your calendar. Plan to participate as a rider or get some hands-on experience so you can consider your own horse packing trip.
Cover Photo: Mid Valley Unit, Ed Sands, at 2012 Rendezvous – Pack Scramble – Photo by Kathy Zumbrunn
