"The emancipation of women may have begun not with the vote, nor in the cities where women marched and carried signs and protested, but rather when they mounted a good cow horse and realized how different and fine the view. From the back of a horse, the world looks wider."
Joyce Gibson Roach, Western author
IT’S TRUE – Montana is “higher, wider and handsomer” from the back of a horse
IT’S ALSO TRUE – many people, especially women long for a connection with horses
YET, IT’S ALSO TRUE – owning your own horse is expensive and challenging
Dunrovin Ranch Equestrian Club offers an alternative. We supply the horses, the tack, the trucks, the trailers, the know-how, the organization, and the support. You supply the spirit of adventure, the love of animals, the desire to learn, the courage to challenge yourself, the camaraderie with other women, and the sense of accomplishment and joy that comes from following your dreams! Together we will
- Expand your horizons through learning - about horses, about Montana’s natural and cultural history, about friendships formed on the trails, and about yourself
- Watch you progress from a beginner to a confident horseback rider through a horsemanship program focused on safety and responsibility
- Help you get to know horses as individuals and develop a special bond with a small herd of beautiful Tennessee Walking Horses
- Explore off the beaten paths and experience the wonders of Montana’s back country trails
- Form new friendships with other women eager to share their love of horses, the outdoor, and spending time in the saddle on a good horse with good friends
- Indulge our fancy with special events and outings; give in to “flights of fantasy” just for the fun of it!
Equestrian Club Membership offers the opportunity to establish an on-going relationship with the ranch and its herd of Tennessee Walking Horses. Club members pay a monthly fee to be included in a wide range of horseback riding opportunities and activities - riding on the ranch, guided trail rides, overnight riding adventures, lessons, horsemanship clinics, horse shows, and some very special horseback trips. Each member is enrolled in an individualized horsemanship program to help them develop their skills. Local riders can join for a full year; while temporary residents or visitors can join for specific limited periods. Equestrian Club Members may sponsor a child for pony lessons and riding for an additional $50/month/child fee and members' guests receive a 10% discount on guided rides.
Dunrovin’s Saddle Pal Equestrian Club gives local riders the opportunity to form an ongoing relationship with Dunrovin Ranch and its herd of horses. Emphasis is placed on horsemanship, outdoor recreation, safety, education, camaraderie, and fun. Members pay a monthly membership fee that includes two horsemanship training sessions per month; and they receive greatly reduced prices for other Dunrovin Ranch activities.
Saddle Pal Membership - March through November
Membership Fees
Initiation Fee and Horsemanship/Refresher Session (Required Annually)........................................................................$50
Individual Monthly Membership Fees
6 - 9 Month Contract..........................................................................................................................................................$100
3 - 5 Month Contract..........................................................................................................................................................$125
1 - 2 Month Contract..........................................................................................................................................................$150
Each Additional Family Member Monthly Membership.............................................................25% Discount on Monthly Fee
2 Group Horsemanship Training Sessions Per Month.............................................................................................................$0
Activity Fees
Group Horsemanship Training Sessions (2 Hours/Session) .............................................................................$50/Session
Private Horsemanship Lessons (1 Hour/Session) ................................................................................................$60/Session
Group Trail Lessons (Maximum of 4 Students— Minimum of 2 Hours on the Trail) ................................$80/Trail Lesson
Supervised Ranch Riding (2 Hours/Session by Appointment, Drill Team, Horse Games) ............................$50/Session
Unsupervised Ranch Riding (2 Hours/Session by Appointment) ........................................................................$40/Session
Trail Rides (Guided or Unguided—Regardless of Length—Part Day to Full Day) ..................................................$80/Ride
Overnight Club Adventures ......................................................................................................$125/Day plus Shared Expenses
Discover Horses Horsemanship Sessions ..........................................................................Special Discounted Club Prices
Dunrovin Expeditions .................................................................................................................................................10% Discount
Guest Discount on Guided Rides ...........................................................................................................................10% Discount
River Recreation .........................................................................................................................................................10% Discount
Annual Calendar Dunrovin Ranch follows an annual horsemanship cycle and offers weekly Saddle Pal Club activities consistent with the priorities for each season.
March—Back in the Saddle Again
Initiation Session, Ground Work, Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions
April—Conditioning in the Arena
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Clinics, Drill Team, Horse Games,
May—Conditioning on the Trails
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Clinics, Drill Team, Horse Games, Short Trail Rides, Group Trail Lessons
June—Spring Trail Riding—Finding the Wildflowers
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Longer Trail Rides, Overnight Club Adventures
July—Summer Trail Riding—Finding Cool Forests
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Long Trail Rides. Overnight Club Adventures
August—Summer High Country Trail Riding
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Long Trail Rides. Overnight Club Adventures
September—Early Autumn Trail Riding—Looking for Fall Colors
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Long Trail Rides. Overnight Club Adventures
October—Late Autumn Trail Riding—Finding Fresh Snow
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Long Trail Rides. Overnight Club Adventures
November—Getting the Most from the End of Season
Arena Lessons, Horsemanship Sessions, Group Trail Lessons, Short Trail Rides, Drill Team
- Perhaps you have been thinking about getting involved with horses, but just don’t know where to begin.
- Perhaps you are thinking of owning a horse, but you’re not ready to take on the expense - or you can’t commit to the full-time responsibility of a horse – or you are daunted by all the things you need to consider.
- Perhaps you are an experienced horsewomen who understands all too well the requirements of horse ownership
- and simply wants quality horses to ride, interesting riding companions, and to spend more time in the saddle than in the barn!
- Perhaps you are looking to network with other horsewomen and learn the ins and outs of trail riding from experienced women who know where to go, routinely drive Montana’s mountains roads pulling a horse trailer, and have all the equipment and skills to safely ride in the back country.
- Perhaps you lack the time or training necessary to keep a horse fit physically, emotionally, and mentally for the rigors
- of mountain trail riding.
- Perhaps you are a visitor to Montana and want to go beyond the typical guest ranch experience – to really connect with
- horses, learn new skills, and enjoy the company of interesting and colorful local horsewomen.
- Perhaps you simply want to declare to yourself and the world that I Ride!
