FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Join Julie Goodnight for a Week-long Riding Vacation in Wine Country September 12-18, 2009
Contact:
Goodnight Training Stables, Inc./ Horse Master with Julie Goodnight RFD-TV Show
PO Box 397, Poncha Springs, CO 81242
(719) 530-0531
press@juliegoodnight.com or info@CowboyHideawayRanch.com
SONOMA COUNTY, California, May 14, 2009: Join TV personality and master horse trainer Julie Goodnight for a vacation week at the Cowboy Hideaway Ranch in California’s Sonoma County wine country September 12-18, 2009. The exclusive resort offers posh quarters and fine food and wine during your 6 night, 7-day stay. See the online photo gallery at: http://www.cowboyhideawayranch.com/gallery.html and visit the site for the winery closest to the ranch: http://www.ceago.com/
Goodnight offers light instruction during daily arena and trail rides together and time to answer your horse training and keeping questions. This is your chance to get to know the woman behind the award-winning Horse Master television show and find out how to apply her techniques to your horses—arriving home from your vacation with new found riding inspiration and tools.
Each day during your riding vacation, you’ll start with an hour of light instruction followed by a ranch activity or trail ride –on the ranch’s Rocky Mountain Horses—through a vineyard and to a popular winery (see below for a daily itinerary). The Cowboy Hideaway crew will trailer the horses home and allow you time to investigate wine making and tasting.
Hurry, only 10 riding spots available. The facility recommends riding its horses and enjoying a week off from horse chores. The all-inclusive week (including accommodations, food, riding and instruction time) is $2,895 per person.
Call or e-mail the ranch for details or to register: info@CowboyHideawayRanch.com, 707-295-7110, http://www.cowboyhideawayranch.com/itinerary.html
Getting there and accommodations:
Rooms are available for singles (with Jack and Jill baths) or couples (with private baths).
Meeting Point: San Francisco
Length of Ride: 7 days, 6 nights, 5 days riding
Riding Ability: Intermediate Novice
Riding Per Day: 3-5 hours
Pace: Moderate
Tack: Western
Horses: Rocky Mountain (gaited)
Weight Limit: 275 lbs
The itinerary (as posted on http://www.cowboyhideawayranch.com/itinerary.html):
Day 1
Collection from the meeting place in San Francisco. Head north across the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marin Headlands, stopping for a tour at Benziger Family Winery in the quaint village of Glen Ellen in the Sonoma Valley. Continue up though the rolling hills past the Russian River and Alexander Valley appellations. The next stop will be Francis Ford Coppola presents Rosso & Bianco. The route then takes you east, winding past the Blue Lakes to Cowboy Hideaway, your home for the week. The beautiful, newly built log home has very comfortable rooms, large inviting sitting areas with enormous fireplaces and stunning views of Clear Lake (one of the west's finest bass fishing lakes), woods and vineyards, and beautiful sunsets from the outdoors decks. A discussion of the week's activities over a local wine is followed by an exquisite dinner of local fresh ingredients.
Day 2
Begins with your introduction to your gaited Rocky Mountain Horse from Mountain Magic Ranch in Montana. This rare breed of horse with its characteristically smooth gait will be your companion for the week. Known for its natural four-beat gait it provides a very smooth ride. These horses are known for their sharp minds embracing a challenge with an impressive stamina yet a gentle disposition. The conformation and color of the Rocky Mountain Horse is striking turning many an artist's head in appreciation. A prolog to the many sights of the area from your guide will begin your ride. Your first ride will be on the mountain equestrian trails around Highland Springs reservoir. Broad trails allow the guests to visit and to learn first hand more about the many agricultural and natural wonders of the surrounding country side and to learn more about the viticulture of the grape growing region. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed underneath the spreading oak trees. A stop at a local winery is always a welcome respite after a day of riding. Returning to the Ranch guests will enjoy appetizers and beautiful views of the lake and the sunset before a wonderful dinner prepared by the ranch staff.
Day 3
Your day begins with an incredible tour of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. He became the greatest icon of his time embodying the American sprit and winning the Santa Anita Handicap $100,000. You'll see the place where Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's "never say die" jockey, worked hard to bring them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your tour and the viewing of a special movie, we will have lunch at Ridgewood Ranch followed by a beautiful ride through local vineyards ending your ride at one of the many wineries in the area. Your day begins with an incredible tour of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. He became the greatest icon of his time embodying the American sprit and winning the Santa Anita Handicap $100,000. You'll see the place where Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's "never say die" jockey, worked hard to bring them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your tour and the viewing of a special movie, we will have lunch at Ridgewood Ranch followed by a beautiful ride through local vineyards ending your ride at one of the many wineries in the area.
Day 4
Guests will take a morning ride exploring the miles of trails and hills on the 750 acre ranch, past native chaparral, gnarly California oaks covered in Spanish moss, the abundant wildlife and beauty of Lake County. Unobstructed vistas of the lake and mountains and the acres of pear and walnut groves are enjoyed through the crisp clean air. The ranch is home to a huge variety of songbirds, black tail deer, quail and majestic American bald eagles. Mid-day will include lunch at the ranch or a barbeque. Completing the afternoon ride, guests will enjoy a cooking class or wine tasting. Experiencing world-class wines and strolling through lavender gardens to the dock and a view of the lake and Mt. Knochti, the tour will explain the mission of the Ceago Vineyards; to craft small lots of wine from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of old and new world winemaking techniques. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening with dinner prepared from all the ingredients that California cuisine has to offer.
Day 5
Arising early we will be riding in the beautiful forests of Cobb Mt. Stopping for lunch and riding that afternoon to yet another local winery.
Day 6
After breakfast your day begins with a vineyard ride into the quaint town of Upper Lake with charming antique stores and lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon. The Blue Wing was re-established in the tradition of the original saloon which first opened in the 1800's and remained a popular watering hole until the onset of prohibition in 1920. Returning to the ranch for a western barbeque, you will have the opportunity to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book or have a competitive game of horse shoes.
Day 7
Guests depart the ranch south past Clear Lake winding their way through the mountains. This circle will complete the sampling of wines in the Northern California wine regions before our guests return to San Francisco.
A service of The Whole Picture, LLC., http://www.wholepicture.org
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