About The Venue

WELCOME to our BANDANA RUN! This is a fun trail riding event where bandanas are the theme. Each participant will get a bandana sewn in with the date and TRUE NORTH RANCH for a special memento. Along the trail will be bandanas to mark your trail and prizes along the way for you to find which, of course, will be wrapped in bandanas. It's a fun day filled with the love of horses, friends and fellowship AND helping a great cause of kids facing the ever growing mental health issues. COME and enjoy an amazing ride on private property filled with scenery of northern Minnesota!

True North Ranch is a faith-based ministry bringing hope and healing to children and families by pairing them with a mentor and a horse. Our sessions are 90-minutes where the client choose their own unique time at the ranch. 80% of the folks we serve are suicidal and showing them their purpose on this earth is formed by the love and bond they build with the horse.  We charge only for ones who can afford their session at a very minimal charge so this event will help in scholarships, feed for the rescues special diets, and overall care and keep us helping serve the broken hearted. THANK YOU! 

"Ride out victoriously for the cause of truth, meekness, and righteousness." Psalm 45:4

Want to see a little video clip to where you will camp, staging area, and a bit of the trail? Click link below after November 30. Also t-shirts will be on this sight as well so you know what they look like. Choose cowboy or girl. Must preorder the shirts when you register as no shirts will be sold the day of the event. 

Visit us at www.truenorthranch.org

The venue - Rice Creek Hunting and Recreation is a hunting/shooting preserve. This is on private land and a working farm so riders will enjoy beautiful scenery, open fields, woods, the occasional tractor in the distance and an occasional deer, pheasant or ruffed grouse. Visit our site at ricecreekhunting.com For questions about the venue, contact Shelley LeBlanc at spleblanc10@gmail.com or for any details, Lee Shelstad at tnr@truenorthranch.org

The camping area is a large grass field with pull in pull out camping and day parking. We will provide drinking water for your horses in large enclosed tanks, but NO communal trough-please bring your own buckets. Bring your own fencing/stall for your horses. High tying between trailers is ok, too.  Pillsbury State Forest Horse Camp (with pick line)  near Pillager is about 45 minutes from event is also available. 

For campers before the event, we will offer a trail ride which will be included in your cost. You will see more of the property and be challenged by natural obstacles. This will take place at 7:00 p.m. Meet at registration area by the bandana flag.

Event Details

Saturday Trail Challenge (TC) – a relaxing 7 mile trail ride with judged obstacles along the trail as well as added fun activities for you to find from your 4 legged mount.   All riding disciplines are welcome.

Each competitor will be allowed to choose their level of difficulty they would like to do at EACH obstacle and have the ability to PASS if so desired. Ride alongs are only companion riders and not allowed to do obstacles. 

Along the trail we will have two areas to do a TEAM OBSTACLE that is not judged and only if you want to participate. This is a fun activity to do if you like and the top winners will get a BANDANA RUN prize during our award ceremony. We love these and they are so fun to try!

Negative Coggins is required.

The Terrain

Mostly sandy soil with an occasional rock or two. Rolling hills, open fields and flatland, also. 

Meals

Saturday morning we will provide a light breakfast and lunch is being catered by Valerie Ann's of Merrifield after the ride.

Awards

Beautiful ribbons 1st-6th place Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced! 1st-3rd place Junior (age 13-17), 1st-3rd place Youngin' (age 7-12), and 1st place Newcomer!

Additional Fees

Payment for ALL Amenities reserved at the time of online registration are due ON SITE and are NOT collected at the time of online registration. This helps us keep trail ride separate from and amenities go to the ranch ministry funds. 

Additional Opportunities

Trail Ride Friday night and 2 Team Events with a friend not judged along the trail ride on Saturday.