Welcome to High Desert Riders!

We are a group of people who are dedicated to promoting equine activities of all kinds, committed to creating a trail system and preserving access to it, and devoted to treating our equines with the love and respect they deserve.   Download a Membership Application by clicking here.

From Clark & Marsha McDuell, August 25th:

The State Fair Parade is just 12 days away! The High Desert Riders have won 1st place for adult equine group the past two years. And three years ago the club won the Governor's Trophy. We win because we look AND ACT professional. We act professional because we practice - and if we want to win this year, we need to practice. Lets all get together for a 4th consecutive win! The theme is 70 years of fun. We will be discussing that at the August general meeting. We have two practices scheduled:

Sunday, August 31. 1:30PM
Location: Dick Rahal's arena. 1-505-286-1978 (Dick's Home)
344 North to just past mile marker 10.
Turn West on County Rd 22 (Sandoval).
Turn Right 1st driveway.

Friday, September 5. 6:00PM
Location: Jim & Marilyn Stundon's. 1-505-977-1246 (Jim's Cell)
Lexico off 333 (old 66) between Moriarty and Edgewood (next to MountainView Elementary).
Go South (away from I-40) on Lexico 3½ miles to Cedar
Turn West (right) on Cedar and go to 196 Cedar (3 ~ 3½ miles).
196 Cedar is on the South side (left) of the road.
Go just past the big green gate and turn left. Park down the hill.

• Speaking of parades, check out the 2008 photo album to find the photos from the Run Rally & Rock parade in Edgewood August 23rd!
   

• Click the Rides & Events button on the left to get the latest info on scheduled trail rides and HDR events.  This page lists scheduled rides through October 2008.
   

• A new ride has just been added to the schedule for Sunday, September 7th.  Check the the Rides & Events page for details.
   

• General membership meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Community Center.  Next meeting:  September 23rd.  Everyone is welcome! You may donate items to raffle at each general membership meeting to raise funds for the Club, and/or buy raffle tickets for $1 each before each meeting.

News: 

Peppers Pride scratched from Ruidoso race Aug 31, 8:03 pm EDT

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (AP)—Peppers Pride’s bid for a North American-record 17th win in 17 starts has been put on hold after the horse was scratched from the Lincoln Handicap on Sunday.  Trainer Joel Marr scratched Peppers Pride after the Ruidoso Downs track turned sloppy due to rain over the previous day and a half. The thoroughbred mare has never raced on a wet track, the track said in a news release.  “It took four years to get here and I wasn’t going to chance it in a two-minute race,” Marr said. “I wanted to look out for her safety. After the sixth race there was a big downpour and the sloppy, muddy and wet conditions you can’t control.”  Peppers Pride is in position to break the mark of 16 straight victories she shares with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time horse of the year Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams.  Peppers Pride won her first two career starts at Ruidoso Downs and last year’s Lincoln Handicap.  Marr said the horse will be moved to Zia Park in Hobbs, where her next shot at the record could come in early November.

New Mexico Horse Tests Positive for West Nile Virus by: The Associated Press July 20 2008 Article # 12322

A horse from McKinley County, N.M., has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first positive test for the virus in a horse this year. That word from the state health department. New Mexico has reported no human cases of West Nile virus this year. The state public health veterinarian for the Department of Health, Dr. Paul Ettestad, says the positive test indicates there are mosquitoes infected with the virus in the McKinley County area. The horse came from an area a few miles east of Fort Defiance, Ariz.

Common human symptoms of West Nile virus are fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. In rare cases, the virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis.  Readers are cautioned to seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.