Today I’m working on a re-draft of an article about a great place to go horseback riding near Portland, Oregon. It’s slated to run in early July in the Oregonian.
The beginning will probably read something like this:
Ready to run?
“Ready to run?”
Dream Ridge Stables owner Karen Brauer asks as we get to the bottom of a long uphill. We’re on the spectacular 4-hour Cascade View Ridge Ride that Dream Ridge Stables offers riders for only $35/hour where you can rent fast endurance horses, see views of three volcanoes in one sweeping vista, and run until your butt can’t take it anymore.
With years of riding under my belt I’m usually disappointed by trail rides. Like many riders who don’t own their own horses, I find the high price of trail rides and the steeds themselves dispiriting.
Invariably I get stuck on a pushbutton rental horse that tries to keeps its nose in the other horse’s behind and refuses to pick up speed no matter how pointedly I kick its sides.
But I’ve finally found a stable—in Oregon City of all places—where the horses like to run!
They’re spirited, responsive, and well-trained.
My heart jolts into high gear but I’m absolutely ready.
The moment I ask, with just an easing on the reins, Shaw kicks into a fast trot.
“Remember your stirrups are the ground, keep your heels down!” I hear someone behind me yell.
Read the finished article here.
Dream Ridge Stables
If you live near Portland and you want to go horseback riding, call the stables at: 503-631-8466 or check out the Dream Ridge Stables website.
Published: June 18, 2009
Last update: January 23, 2020
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