Sombrero Stables

12/30/2024

If your passion is horses, listen up—here's your chance to wrangle your dream summer job! Sombrero Stables in Estes Park is accepting applications for the upcoming season.

Many of our wranglers come from all corners of the country, no matter where you're from you'll find a second family with us in the mountains of Colorado🏔️

https://forms.zohopublic.com/mustangmountaincoasterllc/form/JobApplication/formperma/7r3zzIJtdRQx32SrZm5rlR_LKifEAoeSugyYbqeCZrc

12/30/2024

Gather round cowboys and cowgirls, we’re filling up our summer slots already! If the trail is leading you to Estes Park this summer, book a ride or experience with us www.Sombrero.com

12/30/2024

Colorado sunsets 🌅

12/29/2024

June 19, 1970, Estes Park Trail-Gazette 🗞️

"Tuesday, 6:15 a.m. . . .Far too early to get out of bed, even for a horse ...but up we get. Then into the truck and off to the Sombrero Stables. The horses are saddled and waiting, the guide on hand. The air is brisk and fresh - just right for a sweater or light jacket. A beautiful day - vivid blue skies, the champagne sparkle of mountain air, the sun clear gold. It’s beginning to seem worth the early rising. We all mount up - some with the eager agility of the young, others with the creaking muscles that bespeak more to come, but everyone wearing smiles of happy anticipation.

The guide leads us out behind the stables, across a chuckling stream and we begin the uphill climb. Our destination is a small valley lying several hills away. The horses step carefully over the shale and rocks. Before the climb ends they will be breathing hard and the riders will be glad to be mounted and not on shanks mare. As we ride, we look over our shoulders at the panorama unfolding below us. In the distance the dazzling white peaks pierce the sky. Below them, like mitts on many fingered hands, the encroaching forests show the density of evergreens, the brilliant contrast of aspen trees in full leaf. Underfoot there are constant surprises of color - purple, gold, blue, white. We stop and our guide, Slim Stricker, checks cinches to make sure none have come loose.

We’ve been getting acquainted with three girls from Wisconsin who have been vacationing here together since last Sunday. They’ve filled every minute with action or relaxation; and are enjoying themselves immensely. When we start again, we can look back and see the town and Lake Estes, all in living color, as the TV ads say. The trail crosses a meadow after a short descent and the horses, refreshed, break into a canter. The most vivid sense of aliveness pervades everything, ourselves most particularly."

12/27/2024

It wouldn’t be the holidays if you didn’t spend time with those you love. Horses included🐴

12/25/2024

Santa sent Spur to make sure all of the Sombrero horses get plenty of gifts and loving today! 🎄 Wishing you all a holly jolly holiday wherever you’re at on the trail!

Merry Christmas from Sombrero Stables

12/21/2024

Queeda Mantle and Rex Walker tied the knot in 1955 with love as big as the Rockies. This special day marked the start of a journey that eventually led to the creation of Sombrero Stables amongst other business ventures over the years. Only fitting that Pat was a part of the wedding party too.

Craig Empire Courier 1955 📰
"Queeda Mantle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mantle of Artesia, became the bride of Rex Walker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Walker of Tyler, Tex., Saturday, June 11, in an impressive seven o'clock ceremony performed at the Church of Christ in Boulder. The Rev. Norris Campbell officiated at the double ring ceremony.

Miss Mantle chose for her wedding a floor-length gown of chantilly lace and net over satin. The scoop neckline was embroidered with pearl leaves. The fitted bodice had pointed sleeves. The full skirt was of alternating panels of tulle and lace worn over wide hoops. The two-tiered scalloped veil was of fingertip length and was attached to a seed-pearl crown. Her bouquet was a white orchid surrounded by pink roses.

Attending the bride as Matron of Honor was Mrs. Charline Scoggin of Boulder and Washington, D.C., who wore turquoise lace over taffeta and trimmed in seed pearls. Her bouquet was white roses and pink carnations. Bridesmaids were Mrs. Wanda Walker Weathers of Ft. Worth, Tex., sister of the groom, and Miss Sue Woolley of Meeker. The bridesmaids wore turquoise taffeta dresses in ballerina length and carried bouquets of pink roses and white carnations. Candlelighters were Miss Gail Walker of Boulder and Miss Cynthia Lovelady of Artesia. These girls wore ballerina-length pink organdy dresses.

Joel Walker served as best man. Ushers were George Arnold of Tyler, Tex., and Pat Mantle, brother of the bride, of Artesia.

The church altar was decorated with lighted candles, palms, and white gladioli. A latticework held climbing vines and pink roses with sprays of white and pink larkspur in each window. The music was furnished by an a ca****la chorus of Abilene Christian College at Abilene, Tex.

The bride graduated from the University of Colorado Business School and has been employed as a secretary for the Shell Oil Company in Denver.

Mr. Walker is a graduate of the University of Colorado Geology School and is a geologist.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Sunset Ranch home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knudson. The table was covered with an heirloom lace tablecloth. The centerpiece of roses in a silver bowl was flanked by lighted candles in silver candelabra. Mrs. John Lacher presided at the punch bowl. Vocal music was furnished by Robert Inman of Boulder.

After the reception, the young couple left by plane for a honeymoon at Miami, Fla., and Jamaica. They will make their future home in Caracas, Venezuela, where Mr. Walker will be sent by his company, Socony Vacuum Oil Company of Venezuela.

Preceding the wedding, the groom's mother entertained the bridesmaids at a luncheon at the Flagstaff House. A rehearsal dinner for members of the wedding party and other close friends was held at Blanchard's Lodge."

12/20/2024

Trail dust and mountain views—this is how summer rides are meant to be. Saddle up for next summer’s adventures!

www.Sombrero.com

12/19/2024

While everyone’s talking about the Yellowstone finale, don't forget the real life people in these roles. 🐴 Small ranchers, farmers, or local stables might not get the Hollywood spotlight, but they sure keep our western way of life alive and kickin’.

12/17/2024

Remember the years when the stable braved the winter snow? Sometimes we miss those beautiful snowy days with our guests, but we don't forget that harsh winter wind!

12/14/2024

Back in '58, Rex Ross Walker saddled up with two partners and started Sombrero Ranches, kickin’ off a legacy of ridin’ tall in the saddle. By the ’70s, the Great American Horse Drive was born. A 60-mile, two-day trek through north-western Colorado, keepin’ the spirit of the Old West alive.

📸 Pam LeBlanc 2023 Great American Horse Drive

12/13/2024

It's a special week for the Sombrero family. Join us in celebrating Ruth's graduation from college. "Learning is like riding the range—there’s always more ground to cover and new trails to discover."

12/13/2024

160 days until we’re back on the trails. Can’t wait to see our new and returning guests experience the joy and freedom of riding in the Rockies.

www.Sombrero.com

12/11/2024

No caption needed. You can’t beat those Colorado skies 🌅

12/11/2024

Keep your 👀 open

The Montrose County Sheriff's Office said the cattle were last seen grazing the Uncompahgre Plateau.

12/10/2024

Drink up, partner—Colorado’s high-altitude air will have you drier than a tumbleweed in a drought.

Horses and humans staying hydrated is essential at high altitude elevations.

12/08/2024

Since the 1970s, Sombrero horses have been doing more than just spending time on the trail. They've made various appearances in Westerns, commercials, and movies including Cowboys and Aliens.

Filming in 2010, 30 horses alongside Mark Bishop put their training to the test. With explosions and gunfire filling the air during filming, these horses proved their mettle, earning their moment in the limelight alongside Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig.

https://www.reporterherald.com/2011/08/14/longmont-horses-gallop-onto-cowboys-aliens-set/?clearUserState=true

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpYiXAO1t4