Submitted photos

After six years of working and planning, Crossroads Ranch of Harney County began holding camps and lessons!

This past year, Crossroads Ranch was blessed with a couple grants and large donations. The first was used to secure panels for the arena. The second was used to install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant parking spaces and an ADA-compliant door on the back side of the red building. These features make it much easier for folks with limited mobility to access the building and back area.

With these additions, Crossroads Ranch was able to hold horse camps for more than 20 children, as well as private lessons, this past spring and summer. The ranch also hosted its Fourth of July community barbecue and a Family Fun Day in the fall.

Some may be wondering why they don’t see the horses at Cross Roads Ranch. The horses are only present during the camps and activities because the ranch doesn’t have a caretaker on site.

“We feel that, due to the amount of vandalism we experience, the animals wouldn’t be safe without having someone there 24/7,” Board Chair Jennifer Williams explained. “Also, our activities take place in the back area acreage, so they’re not necessarily visible from the road. During the winter months, our lessons are taking place at the covered arena at the fairgrounds.”

Williams added, “Sadly, we lost our pony, Goldie, this winter, and while she’ll be so hard to replace, we are looking out for another pony for smaller kids. We’ve been blessed by the Shelman family who faithfully brings Renegade to our lessons and camps.”

The ranch is currently training a Paisley Mustang, named Apple, and a donkey, named Romeo, so they can be used in lessons and camps.

Williams concluded, “We have a certified riding instructor on staff, and are working with an occupational/physical therapy clinic to bring therapists here who can work with our clients to give them another type of therapy option, and there are ideas in the works for both spring break and summer school, so stay tuned!”