Washington State Horse Park

East of the mountains

If you've driven across Washington, then you know the eastern part of the state has a different climate from the western side. Wet Pacific ocean weather bangs up against the Cascade mountains, dumping copious precipitation on Seattle and the western slopes of the mountains almost year round. It's what keeps us green, mossy and relatively warm. But a few miles east of the mountain divide, the terrain suddenly opens up, the sky seems to get bigger and the flora changes dramatically. The town of Cle Elum is only 80 miles east of Seattle, but the climate has a dry feel that reminds you of places like Colorado and Idaho.

A few years ago, the Washington State Horse Park opened on the outskirts of Cle Elum. It's a heaven-on-earth retreat for urban riders, with miles of trails through ponderosa forests, arenas for equestrian events and overnight camping for horses and humans. On Friday I was lucky to be invited along to the park with an old riding friend. We loaded the horses in her trailer, headed over Snoqualmie Pass and met up at the park with another group from our barn.

And here's Flo, tied to Dolly's trailer waiting to be saddled. She's on high alert because the Eastern Washington Mounted Shooter Club was having a competitive event in the arena and the loud guns were banging.

Wild cowgirl shooting

I'm not into guns, but this looked like harmless fun. Although maybe not the best event for a noise sensitive horse with nearsighted lady shooting off her back!

By the way, I recently found out that Flo is not a registered Arabian but a breed called National Show Horse, which is actually a cross between an Arab and an American Saddlebred. Making for a very flashy and spirited horse.

Quiet trails

Soon we hit the trails and left the shooters far behind. What a pleasure not having to worry about a mountain bike or ATV rushing up behind your horse. Around Seattle we're used to ferny, green, damp forest trails that have a certain charm, but this is real horse country. Where we usually ride it's just dense undergrowth, but at the horse park we could see through the forest in all directions. The trails were really dusty (actually a nice change from mud) and my friend Dolly and I agreed there is no smell on earth like sun on warm pine needles. The park covers an area of 112 acres, but the trails are mostly loops so it would be hard to get truly lost. Although take the wrong turn and you might find yourself on a very long ride back to camp. All part of the fun.

Emma and Tater Tot

Guess who went along? Yes, that's Tater Tot hanging around the parking lot soaking up attention. His owner brought all her horses to the park, and of course little Tater couldn't be left home alone. Believe it or not, he rides safely in the trailer right under the feet of the big horses.