If you have vacationed at a guest ranch, then you know there is a lot that goes into making a ranch run smoothly and keeping them in working order.

Even with a blanket of white snow, spring cleaning begins. Fences are inspected and tended to accordingly. Once accessible, trails will need to be checked for any fallen trees or change in footing.

For the working ranches, fields are becoming speckled with little black or brown calves, and for some small foals are not far behind – a sign that spring is just around the corner. Around the first of May, all those calves will need to be branded. Several ranches offer vacation packages allowing guests to get in on the branding fun.

The horses all need to be vaccinated, and checked over before open season. Their teeth are floated to remove all sharp points, making sure they get the best from their food. Any horses with long hooves are trimmed and their coats, manes and tails are inspected for burs they may have accumulated from being turned out to pasture over the winter months.

Any last minute staff hiring will be done and lodges and cabins will be cleaned and set up for the arrival of the first guests. Once staff arrives at the ranch, they will be put through weeks of training before guests arrive, in order to provide the best service and vacation.

There’s a lot to get done over the next month and a half in preparation for the 2012 season and the ranches of Canada are all looking forward to meeting new guests and doing what they love best – sharing the western lifestyle.

Want a chance to stay at a beautiful and adventurous guest ranch? Here’s your chance! The BC Guest Ranch Association (BCGRA) launched their “Great Canadian Guest Ranch Getaway Contest” and, at its close, 12 entrants from around the globe will have won once-in-a-lifetime getaways to some of beautiful British Columbia’s most exciting guest ranches.

This unique contest, which boasts an accumulated prize value of more than $30,000, is taking place online via the association’s Facebook Page, and is comprised of six rounds. Every two weeks, a new round will begin and two new prizes will be up for grabs – that’s two guest ranches and two winners!

Winners will receive all-inclusive stays at one of the BCGRA member guest ranches. Some of the activities they might enjoy while they visit include horseback riding, world-class fishing, and riding the range on a working cattle ranch. Whether they’re looking for pristine nature, rest and relaxation, or thrilling adventure in the wilds of B.C., they’ll find it there.

People are entering the contest via the association’s Facebook Contest Page and have been asked to provide, along with their contact details, short but creative explanations as to why they think they’re the most deserving of the prize. The winners will be those entrants who’ve successfully convinced the BCGRA judges that they deserve a stay at one of the province’s best guest ranches.

Making the contest even more exciting is the fact that people can enter more than once! At the end of each round, eager entrants who entered but didn’t win can enter again!

The BCGRA is a non-profit organization that represents over a dozen BC Guest Ranches. Says BCGRA: “From horseback riding, world-class fishing, wilderness retreats to western family vacations our members offer a diverse selection of BC’s best.” And this contest promises to show the world (and especially the winners) just what it means to leave behind the hustle and bustle of life and escape to the wilds of beautiful BC.

For more information about the BCGRA and the Great Canadian Guest Ranch Getaway Contest, visit the association’s website at www.bcguestranches.com or Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BCGuestRanchers. Alternately, feel free to call the BCGRA and contest organizers directly at (250) 593-0258.

Jesse Beckley and one of the reining horses.

Jesse started showing reining horses at age 12, continuing his interest and education in the horse industry he moved to Oklahoma and California for five years where he worked for two of the top five reining horse trainers in the world. Following this time he returned to Three Bars Ranch to run Beckley Reining. Through hard work, Jesse has become one of the best and most sought after trainers in Canada.

Recently, Jesse and his dad, Jeff Beckley, traveled over 40 hours to Texas to compete at one of the world’s greatest reining competitions, the National reining Breeders Classic, which pays out over $1,200,000! With the trailer packed and horses in tow the two cowboys were gone for three weeks.

Competing against the best in the world, it was no easy feat to pick up a check. Jesse had to first show in the go-round and if he marked a high enough score he would advance to the finals, which is a huge accomplishment in itself. Drawing up near the end Jesse knew he was going to have to put down a flawless run. At this point it was looking like it would take a score of 222 to make the Open Finals.

So you understand reining a bit better, let me explain how it works. There are four categories, Level 1 through 4, four which is also known as Open being the highest category and Level 1 or Limited Open Level 1, is the “lowest”. Categories are based on earnings and standings. In Jesse’s case he is only eligible for category 3 & 4 because he has “won” himself out of the lower two categories.

Reining is a judged event, with scores being issued by each judge. Every competitor walks in with a score of 70. Each competitor is required to complete the given pattern exactly as it states, if the competitor goes off pattern it will result in a score of zero. Each maneuver is scored from -1.5 to a +1.5 and is based on degree of difficulty. A zero mark on a maneuver means it was correct but not over the top. A -.5 means it was poor and so on. Penalties can also be issued.

Sample of a score sheet.

At this particular show there are five judges, with the high score and low score dropped to take a total of three scores.

Now back to the story…Jesse was mounted on a mare named Mizzen Whizzen. The duo laid down an electrifying run, scoring a 223.5, resulting in making both the level 3 and 4 Open Finals. Only the top 25 with ties make it back to the finals. The go-round starts with almost 300 competitors riding for those 25 spots. For a young trainer to make the finals, this is a dream come true and a stepping stone in his career.

Jesse and Mizzen Whizzen

The Beckley family back home watched Jesse and Mizzen show against the top horseman  on Finals night via live feed on their computers. It was an exciting night in Texas and back in Canada. The pair put in another stellar run and took home a nice pay-cheque for their performance.

Throughout the summer, Jesse gives the Three Bars Ranch guests a reining demo one night a week.

Many of BC’s Guest Ranches are more than just a Guest ranch. They are a real working cattle ranch, they grow hay or in this case train horses for performance. Life with horses is never boring and it is so rewarding. Some people are fortunate enough to make their living doing what they love – working with horses has to be one of the best jobs one could ask for.

We don’t yet have Jesse and Mizzen’s run from this year’s NRBC, but enjoy one of their championship runs from 2010 where they set a new record high score! Click on the link below.

Mizzen Whizzen & Jesse Beckley set new record at the 2010 West Coast Classic

Learn more about what it takes to care for your horse, how to  groom, how to clean, what to watch for and how to protect your horse’s health. These and many other topics are covered and will help you to  become an improved rider, and a better horseman. How to lift all of  the legs of the horse, how to clean a horses hoof, what to look for!

At The Hills Ranch, they also teach riders about the western saddle and all its parts, the different bits they use and why they differ from one another. When you fully  understand the equipment, you have a better understanding about riding, and how all the parts come together to form a wonderful, relaxing ride.

Guests at The Hills learn how to communicate with their horse.

The Hills also provide a special program for kids of all ages. The day starts with feeding and grooming the horses. Kids also learn about the chores involved with owning a horse, such as mucking stalls. Kids gain a better understanding of horses and ranch life, plus they enjoy some fabulous games that are focused towards improving their fitness level. The goal is to give kids exciting activities that happen to improve their personal health and wellness during their time at The Hills, and also introduce them to the exciting aspects of ranch life, being around animals and caring for them.

Dining room at Sundance Guest Ranch.

The dining rooms at Sundance are across the patio from the adult lounge, just past the outdoor barbecue pit where they cook up their specialty – Black Angus burgers and charcoal-grilled New York steaks (if you’re a vegetarian no worries their chef has it covered). Sundance’s licensed dining rooms look out over the pastures where the horses spend the night grazing and cooling off among the sprinklers. Choose some wine from the list and have a glass to sip on as you watch the herd run by on their way to the fields, then sit down to a delicious three-course candlelit dinner. At Sundance, all the outdoor fun builds up quite a healthy appetite.

Breakfast is served a la carte between 7:30 and 9:00 am, with that all-important morning coffee being on from 5:30 am for you early risers. For lunch and dinner, kids 14 years and under eat all together, one hour before adult meal sittings, so they get to know each other quickly, which hugely enhances the fun factor for them! You may also choose to have your children join you for adult meals if you wish, and either request an upgrade to adult meals for $20 a day per child, or have a kids’ meal held over to adult mealtime at no extra charge - whatever works for you.

Adult mealtimes are 1:00pm and 7:00pm, with a more sophisticated menu – and again, everyone sits at big tables together, so it’s a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re with a group or all on your own, you’ll quickly become “part of the family” once you’re there. For Sunday lunch, adults and kids all eat together for a big burger barbeque. There’s nothing more mouth-watering than that charcoal-grilled aroma drifting across the patio!

Chef Chris cooks up some tastey Black Angus burgers.

Through Spring Lake's working vacation, guests learn the in's and out's of ranch life.

Spring Lake Ranch is tucked in the heart of British Columbia’s Cariboo country. Unique to many guest ranches, Spring Lake offers a “Working Vacation”. Involved in this, vacations offer free room and board for a minimum of six weeks. Work involves maintenance, cleaning of cabins, yard work, kitchen duty and of course working with the horses. In the early spring, fall and winter, some work involves working with cattle as well. Time off for line dancing, hayrides, fireside cookouts, swimming, canoeing and some short trips including rodeos and Bakerville.

Many of the young work experience guests come back for several years in a row. Two young Swiss work experience girls said, “Right now we are realizing our dream, having a work experience holiday on a Canadian ranch. We are so happy that we have found this beautiful place. The ranch has a private lake and our cabin is situated directly on the lake shore. We’re really enjoying this incredible stillness, the pure nature and our job variation. The work with young horses and also moving cows is exactly what we wanted to do and the work is a lot of fun; we’re laughing all the time. Also to witness a foal be born and to see the four eagle nests when riding around the lake is stunning. The ranch motto: close to nature, far from crowds; that’s what it’s like at Spring Lake Ranch.”

Through the working vacation, guests get some good one on one time with their favorite horses.

The scenery at Crystal Waters is breathtaking.

Since the elevation of the region ranges between approximately 800 and 1250 meter, with a few higher areas and peaks here and there, spring doesn’t really arrive before the months of April and May when flora and fauna then explode into growth and activity. The temperatures are quite mild during the day but could still drop below zero degrees Celsius during the night. The ice disappears from the lakes during the second half of April, in higher elevations it can even be May before the boats can go in the water.

June, July and August are the summer months in the South Cariboo with hot and usually dry days and comfortably cool nights. The lakes reach a pleasant temperature for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and other water sports.

Quite spectacular is the “Indian Summer” during late September and early October, when the leaves of the trees change to colors of yellow to dark red and every shade in between. The days are dry, sunny and can still be quite warm, the nights are getting cooler until snowflakes start to fly in October.

Winter doesn’t really arrive with all its force before late November or early December. The region is soon covered in a white blanket and turns into a Winter Wonderland with cold, but dry, and very sunny days, offering the perfect location for a huge variety of winter activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and more, all in the heart of British Columbia’s beautiful and pristine interior.

Crystal Waters is open year long.

Wells Gray Country is a spectacular, pure wilderness area. Known as a world-class destination, it is a must stop on any tour of British Columbia. Within Wells Gray Park, experience stunning vistas of high mountains, deep canyons, volcanic cones, brooding old-growth forests & raging white-water rivers.

Take in the landscapes, forests, wildlife and human heritage of Wells Gray, often known as ‘The Waterfall Park’. Enjoy the sounds, sights and serenity of countless impressive cascades, torrents and rapids – including world-famous Helmcken Falls, a waterfall three times the height of Niagara and North America’s largest canoe only lake, Murtle Lake!

If you’re looking for a summer trip of deep blue skies over deep blue water, where you can wander lush alpine meadows and cool, ancient forests, or paddle and fish big lakes and majestic rivers, then a summer visit to Wells Gray Park has a lot to offer!

In winter, Wells Gray Country is transformed into a very different world: many locals look forward to the arrival of snow and ice, and getting out on their skis, snowshoes, dog-sleds and snowmobiles. In the valleys the snow-cover ranges between a few centimeters and half a meter or sometimes more: up in the mountains it’s more like 3m to 4m of fine powder in the average year. This gives you the perfect setting for all manner of winter fun.

Guests sit around the table for a delicious meal where they interact and share their life stories.

At mealtimes, you’ll be delighted with delicious cuisine and great fellowship in their cozy 20-seat main dining room. Hand-hewn log walls, a rich fir plank floor,  casually elegant furniture and candle light combine for a wonderfully warm dining ambiance. Tables vary from large group and family size, to intimate window settings for two that overlook wild bird feeders and horse pasture.

At Siwash, you will start your day off with a wake-up tray that is placed at your door, brimming with home baked muffins and your choice of freshly brewed tea or coffee. Canadian breakfasts in the dining room are hearty, and lunches, served outside whenever possible, feature nourishing homemade soups, pastas, salads, and breads. Later, enjoy chef’s daily hors d’oeuvre, presented on the sun deck or fireside. Dinners are three-course, culinary adventures infused with international flavours.

The ranch offers outstanding gourmet meals, prepared from the best seasonal ingredients and served with Siwash-style flare. Whenever possible, they incorporate organic food produced on the ranch — mouth-watering beef and pork, free-range eggs, and baby greens for your salads, picked right from our garden. Regional British Columbia cuisine, featuring wild trout, salmon and venison are our specialty.

Siwash Lake Ranch uses their own fresh garden greens.

If you’re a true romantic at heart and want to treat your honey, Siwash offers in-suite and alfresco dining in the meadow or on a private balcony is a special treat for couples taking romantic holidays.

Romantic dinner for two.

SAMPLE MENU

Day One

~ Hors D’oeuvre ~
Spicy Crab Bruschetta
~ First Course ~
Baked Chevre, ranch grown organic baby greens, warm honey walnut vinaigrette
~ Second Course ~
Grilled Halibut, sundried tomato, white wine & cream reduction
Wild rice pilaf
Roasted red pepper, pan seared zucchini, steamed baby carrots
~ Third Course ~
Pumpkin Cheesecake, caramel sauce laced with brandy and star anise

Day Two

~ Hors D’oeuvre ~
Wild BC Smoked Salmon, crostini, fresh dill & cream cheese
~ First Course ~
Vine Ripened Roma Tomatoes, Bocconcini, garden basil & balsamic vinaigrette
~ Second Course ~
Filet Mignon, brandy & green peppercorn demi-glaze,
~ grass fed, organic Black Angus ranch beef ~
Garlic whipped gold potatoes
Purple cauliflower & grilled baby asparagus
~ Third Course ~
Dark Chocolate Ganache, wild raspberry coulis

Fine Cuisine

]]> http://www.bcguestranches.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=97 0 http://www.bcguestranches.com/blog/?p=89 http://www.bcguestranches.com/blog/?p=89#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:42:15 +0000 BCGRA http://bcguestranches.com/blog/?p=89 When looking for the perfect family vacation, sometimes it’s hard to find a holiday that every member of the family will enjoy. The kids and mom want to go horseback riding everyday, but t dad would like to cast his reel and do a little fishing.

Chaunigan Lake Lodge has some of the best fishing around.

At Chaunigan Lake Lodge in the Nemaiah Valley of British Columbia has the best of both worlds. The kids and mom can go for a guided trail ride on horseback along forested trails with birds, wildflowers and the beautiful vistas the Chaunigan has to offer. Head out each morning on a different trail and you will never get tired of what you see.

Now as for Pa, well the Chaunigan Lake Lodge is best known for its world class rainbow trout fishing. It started as a fishing lodge in 1935 and history has proven that their greatest asset (aside from the breathtaking scenery) is their wild rainbow trout fishing. With careful management and remote location has preserved the rainbow trout lake fishing. The average fish size is 2 ½ pounds. The lake has many weed beds and shoal areas, and cool water temperatures year round. The abundant freshwater shrimp population produces a clean firm rainbow trout.

There are many days when experienced fly fishermen will catch 50 fish a day. Chaunigan Lake Lodge has an angling guide available to take guests out on the water, explain the entomology, or help with casting and retrievals.

For a change of pace try one of the 6 fly-in fishing lakes within a 70 mile radius of Chaunigan Lake. All these remote lakes are equipped with boats.

This is a vacation for the whole family! There’s always something new to try each day. Go for a ride, or cast your reel and catch the big one.

Catch of the day.

The Big Creek Lodge is classified as a Canada Select Four Star "Country Inn".

If you’ve ever visited a guest ranch, you may have had this overwhelming feeling that there would be no better job in the world than to own and run a guest ranch of your own. The benefits are countless – live in a beautiful part of the world with animals of all kinds, working with horses on a daily basis, live in a gorgeous log home and get to meet people from all over the world. But what does it take to start up a guest ranch? It’s no piece of cake that’s for sure.

Take Big Creek Lodge for example. Owners Joe and Sabine Hoessl started out with the traditional cattle ranching on a range of more than 25,000 acres in the beginning of the 80’s. They then decided they wanted to share this once in a lifetime experience of the land with others, so they built their first cabin for guests to stay in. It was a huge hit! The guests loved the fresh air and the absolute peace and quiet of the cabin.

The Hoessl’s soon encountered a dilemma. The cabin was always booked full because the guests would always book for the following year. So they decided it was time to think bigger in order to satisfy their many guests. That was the beginning of the Big Creek Lodge.

The Big Creek Lodge consists of massive white cedar logs, that were found on the Pacific Coast of BC. From the first cut to the last nail, it took the Hoessl’s a good four years to build their vision. In this time everyone worked from dusk till dawn. Skilled carpenters were few and far between, so they were forced to employ the help of the local natives who were unskilled in this area of expertise. Joe’s solid German education as a carpenter became invaluable.

The lodge has been classified as a Canada Select Four Star “Country Inn” and it is the only four star Country Inn in this region. It accommodates ten guests in five comfortable rooms. All rooms have a cozy interior, floor heating and a private bathroom. There is also a roomy lounge and a dining area warmed by a massive stone fireplace. Their homestyle country kitchen serves you breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.

Additional cabins were also added, which are nestled among the trees lining the Big Creek, giving guests a feeling of remoteness and comfort. There are two bedrooms for four guests or a family with kids, private bath and equipped with a living room in every cabin. From the porches of the cabins, where comfortable seats surround a massive table, guests overlook the creek and the breathtaking wilderness.

Guests can enjoy sitting on their cabin's porch overlooking the creek and surrounding wilderness.