Ride for Fun, Ride to Learn
Trail Challenge Obstacle Course
Recreational Competition
Trail Challenge Obstacle Course
Recreational Competition
272 S. Sprague Drive Payson, AZ 85541
Sunday, August 30, 2026
| Date | Type | Name | Price | Contact | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun - 08/30 | TC |
Patterson Ranch Trail Challenge
TC - 6 miles |
 $30.50 - $59
|
Josie Hirsch
hirschjosie1@gmail.com (805) 551-8248 |
Online registration closes Wednesday, August 26, 7:00pm, MST
Patterson Ranch in Star Valley (just outside of Payson), Arizona is our favorite and one of our most scenic rides!!!
Spring and fall are the perfect time of year to enjoy the 5,500 plus altitude with lots of meandering creeks through tall trees. Patterson Ranch is a beautiful working/training ranch nestled in a valley, surrounded by the Granite Dell mountains with spectacular views!
Sunday
Trail Challenge (TC) – a relaxing trail ride with judged obstacles along the trail and possibly in camp. All riding disciplines are welcome.
Trails will take you through pine, juniper, oak, cottonwood, and willows, through beautiful shallow creeks and creek beds.
The trails are wide and safe, mostly decomposed granite with minimal rocks. This ride is rated light to moderate.
Trails are mostly rock free - however, shoes and boots are recommended.
Bring your own, Plenty of restaurants within 15-40 min drive to Payson, Forest Lakes or Heber-Overgaard
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.
Lifetime Awards (Equine & Rider) - Sign up 2 weeks in advance to get your qualifying awards!
Equine Awards - Your equine will earn a beautiful kilt pin adding copper, bronze, silver, and golden carrot charms as they progress through the levels. Equine points accumulate no matter who rides the equine.
Rider Awards - You will earn a beautiful kilt pin adding copper, bronze, silver, and golden star charms as you progress through the levels. Rider Points accumulate no matter which equine is ridden.
$15/day per person dry camping. Trailer-in/Ranch fees for non-campers is $15/horse/day.
PLEASE CLEAN UP after your horses and dispose at designated manure location before you leave.
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.
Registering online will give you the best (early bird) pricing! There is a $10 increase per entry for onsite registration.
Camping and Stalls can be reserved on the Saturday event page. If driving in for SUNDAY ONLY, Ranch Fee will be collected at Check in.
See ya there!
PLEASE text to 805-551-8248 or email to hirschjosie1@gmail.com if you have any questions
Patterson Ranch
272 S. Sprague Drive
Payson, AZ 85541
Patterson Ranch; All paved roads, Take hwy. 87 north to Payson. In Payson turn right (east) on to hwy. 260 towards Showlow. Take 260 east about 4 miles to Star Valley. Just past the Circle K but on the right, you will see a large plastic bull near a restaurant/ bar. Turn right just BEFORE the restaurant on to Moonlight Dr.
Go south on Moonlight through the neighborhood, do Not turn off of it in the neighborhood, just stay FOLLOWING the line down the middle of the road, DO NOT TURN OFF OF IT. Your GPS might tell you to turn, don't! (at times the road will say Rainbow, as it curves, just ignore). After about 1 miles you will get out of the neighborhood, still on Moonlight and you will cross a cattle guard. Shortly after this you will look for a very sharp (hidden) left turn, Sprague Ranch Rd., follow signs. Turn left, go down through wash/ creek and up other side, keep going straight to the end you will turn right into the ranch. (If you miss Sprague Ranch road, Moonlight will dead end at a circle, turn and come back to Sprague.) Welcome to Patterson Ranch!
| FRIDAY/SATURDAY | |
| OPEN | Please refer to Aug. 28th ETS Event Host |
| 5-6:30pm | Early Check In available Friday |
| SUNDAY - Obstacle Course | |
| 6-6:45am | New arrival Check In |
| 6:00am | Judge Meeting |
| 7:00am | Rider Meeting |
| 8:00am | First riders out on the course |
| Lunch | After your ride |
| Judge | Shout Outs once all riders are in! |
| Awards | After Judge Shout Outs! |
| Uncovered Pens | |
| Thurs Night Pen | $15.00 |
| Fri Night Pen | $15.00 |
| Sat Night Pen | $15.00 |
| Sun Night Pen | $15.00 |
| Dry Camping | |
| Thurs Night Dry Camping | $15.00 |
| Fri Night Dry Camping | $15.00 |
| Sat Night Dry Camping | $15.00 |
| Sun Night Dry Camping | $15.00 |
| Bring Your Own Pen (BYOP) | |
| Thurs Night BYOP | $15.00 |
| Fri Night BYOP | $15.00 |
| Sat Night BYOP | $15.00 |
| Sun Night BYOP | $15.00 |
| Ranch Fees/Haul-In | |
| Friday Haul-In per horse | $15.00 |
| Saturday Haul-In per horse | $15.00 |
| Sunday Haul-In per horse | $15.00 |