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Summer Adult Horseback Riding in Colorado

At C Lazy U Ranch’s summer adult horse vacations, you can ride however much – or as little – as your seatbones can tolerate. It’s your horseback riding vacation, and we want it to be amazing.

Trail rides are scheduled twice-daily Monday through Friday, with Saturday afternoon reserved for the Shodeo where you can show off your riding skills. The trail rides are grouped by rider ability, with Instructional and Refresher rides offered that advance as the week continues.

During the Summer Family Weeks (and select adults-only events) we offer riding clinics, a Working Cattle Ranch Experience, Trail Obstacle Clinics and Grooming Clinics. C Lazy U has something for everyone, from the be-ribboned equestrian to the person who has never even been on a horse. We’ve got you.

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A Typical Summer Riding Schedule

This table provides a bird’s eye view of the Summer Riding Program for Adults. For specific details on everything offered, please download the PDF of the Summer Adult Riding Schedule, and feel free to contact us with questions!

MondayMorning:Orientation and Introductory Trail Ride (Walk-Only)
Afternoon:Introductory Trail Ride (Walk/Trot, Walk-Only)
or Lope Assessment for Intermediate and Advanced Riders
TuesdayMorning:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels) or Advanced & Intermediate Cattle Sorting
Afternoon:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels) or Intro to Riding Clinic Part I
WednesdayMorning:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels) or Advanced & Intermediate Cattle Sorting
Afternoon:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels) or Intro to Riding Clinic Part II
ThursdayMorning:Choice of Horseback Trail Rides (all levels) or the Working Cattle Experience
Afternoon:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels) or Intermediate Riding Clinic Part III
FridayMorning:Family Trail Ride 

Afternoon:Choice of Horseback Trail rides (all levels)
or Intermediate/Advanced Riding Clinic Part IV
SaturdayMorning:Choice of Horseback Trail Ride (all levels) or Instructional & Basic Cattle Sorting
Afternoon:SHODEO
SundayHorses’ Day Off!

Ready to enjoy a camp-style horseback riding vacation? Contact us today to start enjoying horseback riding for adults!


Horseback Riding for Grownups in Other Seasons

While horseback riding tends to dominate during Summer Family Weeks (we are a dude ranch after all!) we still ride all year long. Notably:

The Working Cattle Ranch Experience is only offered during Summer Family Weeks and two Fall Riding Events as noted on each event: Ladies & Lassos and Julie Goodnight’s Ranch Riding Adventure.

View Upcoming Events with Cattle

Horseback Riding and Horse-Assisted events fill up most of our Spring and Fall schedules. Led by famous practitioners, these events are so fun and educational, many people come back every year for them!

View Upcoming Horse Events

Spring sees walk-only rides while early Fall weather generally allows for walk- and walk-trot rides. We only do lope rides during the Fall adults-only events when conditions permit.

Learn More about Spring & Fall Riding

Trails considered unsafe for riding in bad weather are closed from October through Memorial Day, however we do have plenty of trails closer to the main ranch compound that we can ride on!

View Other Ranch Activities

“Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that’s what gets you.”

– Jeremy Clarkson

Winter, Spring and sometimes Fall trail rides are walk-only.

Learn More about Winter Riding

Horseback Riding Weight Restrictions

At C Lazy U Ranch, safety is one of our most important responsibilities. This obligation includes horseback riding operations and requires us to ensure the safety of both rider and horse. As such, C Lazy U exercises caution with regard to allowing horseback riding for individuals of heavier weights. The weight limit for horseback riding at C Lazy U Ranch is restricted to 250 pounds. The ranch considers several factors in determining whether or not an individual is too heavy or too big to ride, including rider’s physical fitness, riding experience and ability, size of the horse, type of terrain, speed of ride and other factors.

As a general rule, horses can safely carry loads of up to 20% of their body weight, including rider, saddle, and tack. C Lazy U ranch exercises discretion when addressing these issues and reserves the right to prohibit riding or restrict riding to level terrain, or walk-only rides. Please do not hesitate to contact our Barn Manager to discreetly discuss specific circumstances. We are here to make sure your Horse Riding Retreat is safe and an unforgettable memory.

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Music has always been a central part of the western experience. That’s why every year the Colorado Rocky Mountain sky fills with the sound of honest lyrics, soulful chords, and the spirit of authentic country storytelling at C Lazy U’s Singer Songwriter Week. Hosted by multiple-award-winning husband-and-wife duo Monty Powell and Anna Wilson, the event…

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From the Horse's Mouth

I participated in the Julie Goodnight Clinic and loved every single minute. As a fairly new rider, I was worried that I would get overwhelmed or feel left behind, but instead I learned so much from instructors and participants. This experience was well beyond my expectations. I seriously have no complaints about course structure or content. I've already been using some of the skills I learned and my horses and I are more connected and I can tell my riding has improved 10x. Just can't say enough good things about Julie and her team. If the sessions were spread out to 5 days, I would be onboard because it was pretty intense (although I think it was exactly what I needed as a newer rider).

~ Melissa H., 10-25-2021

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