The Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association (SCCHA) invites you to ride our trails in the beautiful Santa Cruz area. Camp is located at the SCCHA Graham Hill Showgrounds - 1145 Graham Hill Road in Santa Cruz. Camp will be open at 12 noon on Friday through 12 noon on Sunday. Trails loop through majestic redwoods, rolling coastal meadows, several creeks and one river crossing. Spectacular ocean views are plentiful. The course covers trails in Henry Cowell & Wilder Ranch State Parks, Pogonip Park, and the upper lands of the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Lunch vet check for the 50 milers will be at the Dimeo Lane Staging Area of Wilder Ranch State Park. Crews can drive to this vet check. Water, hay, carrots and apples are available at all vet checks away from camp. Water is found in many places on the trail. This ride is of moderate difficulty, with mostly good footing and is geared for the finisher. All elevation changes are less than 600 feet, but there are many of them.

Pre-ride vetting will be on Friday afternoon upon arrival of veterinarians (generally around 3 PM), through 7 PM. The pre-ride meeting will be at 7 PM on Friday evening. The 50-mile ride begins at 6 AM and is to be completed within 12 hours. The 25-mile ride begins at 7:00 AM and is to be completed within 6 hours. This ride will take place regardless of weather. (pre-ride meeting time and 25 mile start time newly revised.)

Rules: Dogs are allowed at the showgrounds, but must be on leash at all times. No dogs are allowed at the Dimeo Lane Staging Area in Wilder Ranch State Park. Both the 25 & 50-mile distance rides are AERC sanctioned. The rides will comply with AERC and SCCHA rules. The ride management reserves the right to interpret these rules as necessary to ensure the continuity of these rides and to settle any question which may arise from or in connection with any incident that might occur during the event.

Entries: Your entry must be postmarked by 7-26-08 to avoid a late entry surcharge of $20. Total ride fees must also be received with entry to avoid late charges. Although we will take entries at Friday ride check-in, we urge timely entries in consideration or our management. NO FAXED ENTRIES ACCEPTED.

Meals:  Two delicious meals will be prepared:
Friday Evening Dinner is being offered between 5:00 and 7:00 for an extra $10.
Saturday Evening Awards Dinner is included with your ride entry fee and begins at approximately 4:30. Extra dinner tickets may be purchased for an additional $12. (Our menu is not yet planned, we have a reputation for providing a great dinner to top off a great ride.)

Ride Personnel:  The Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association sponsors this ride. Ride personnel are all volunteers. Anyone disrespectful to personnel is subject to dismissal without completion.  This year's Ride Manager is Pat Verheul. The ride secretary is Maryben Stover 1299 Sandra Drive San Jose CA  95125. Please direct all inquiries to Maryben at merryben@aol.com.

Camping:  Camping at the Graham Hill Showgrounds is included on Friday & Saturday nights. Riders who wish to camp on Thursday or Sunday evening will be charged an extra $15 per night. Water and toilets are available. A number of paddocks will be open on a first-come-first-serve basis: NO RESERVING FOR OTHERS. All SCCHA Grounds and Camping Rules must be followed. Note that horses must be cared for by an adult at all times / no exceptions.  Riders must clean up after their horses: manure, bedding and leftover hay are to be taken to the grounds' manure bunker. All refuse/recycling is to be deposited in containers or taken with you.

Horseshoes are not required, however, Boots are recommended for barefoot horses due to the rocky terrain on a good portion of the trails. 

Proceeds:  The proceeds of this event go toward countywide trail work, the Santa Cruz County Horsemen’s Association and re-development of equestrian facilities at the Graham Hill Showgrounds.

From the SF BAY AREA: proceed to Hwy 17 South through San Jose and Los Gatos, to Scotts Valley. After passing Scotts Valley, take the Sims Road Exit. As you exit 17, take an immediate left onto La Madrona and then a right at the stop sign onto Sims Road, and follow it until it dead ends at a stop sign. Take a right onto Graham Hill Road and proceed about 500 feet. The showgrounds gate is on the left.