Welcome to the 17^th Roman Nose Hills Trail Ride!

We thank you for your interest in our 17^th charitable trail ride that the Watonga Hospital Foundation has sponsored. This ride has become legendary and a tradition now for equestrian enthusiasts seeking a structured, scenic and relaxing pleasurable event bonding horse, rider, and nature. If you have never experienced our event, we welcome you to a memorable 3 days. We coordinate our volunteers to bring comfort, great food, entertainment and to continue to expand our trail system across the Gypsum Hills of Roman Nose
Canyon. The monetary profits have purchased thousands of dollars of medical equipment and property, improving our rural healthcare system. All registration fees and monies are tax deductible as we are a non-profit organization.

Your food is totally provided once you arrive on Friday , with dinner, until Sunday lunch. Friday night is our traditional smoked rib dinner with all the fixings. Full breakfast each morning and fresh grilled hamburgers and sausage on the trail for lunch are always timely and tasty. Saturday evening is our famous brisket dinner just before our charitable auction with an all woman auction crew. We encourage our riders to bring a donated item to extend our action and profits of this event. Charitable receipts can be offered for tax purposes. A horse was even offered at one of our past rides! Each event also offers a distinctive T shirt at 12.50 each and caps are available also for same price. “Horse Poker” is also very entertaining, and winners have in the past recouped most expense money!. We appreciate all participation as registration monies alone would never support an event with the food and overhead expenses that we incur to provide this quality event. We are also resistant to increasing the registration fee above $50 per rider, to keep this accessible to many without financial strain. Non riders accompanying can purchase a food pass for $25 for the entire event, or $6 per meal.

Camping is primitive and up to you with tents, trailer, or any way you choose. Accommodations are available at Roman Nose Lodge with some cabins available with horse stalls. ( 1-580-623-7281). Hot showers are available at the Park’s camping area free of charge. Drinking water is available for you and your horse at camp. Electricity is limited to the registration and dining area, but power strips will be available for cell phone charging ect. Many cell phones do not work well in areas across the canyons.

As of Mid-August, we are working on some very exciting news of new trails into Roman Nose State park. Our guides and coordinators are working on making this a reality for the September ride. Regardless, we have an extensive trail system of gentle hills, native cedars, and panoramic views of the gypsum hill country with mesa tops.

We enjoy taking our riders to “Hidden Lake- Halfway Café” and alternative lunch site, “South Padre” . Portajohns are provided at all lunch sites . Our tails are dirt base with shoes not required as some ask. Of course original and current negative “coggins” vaccines are required for horse admission into camp, no exceptions. Get new tests now. If new trails are finished, a completely new lunch site will be created for the Saturday ride only. Our guides are constantly working on making our system interesting and safe. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer guide, contact us for further information and work schedules. Peggy Smith is our Guide Coordinator and always accessible for assistance. Watch web site for updates as we will post pictures and roll out this new territory to the delight of our guides and past participants.

Subjectively, I can tell you this event is more like a “family” reunion then a open public event. Many of our riders have been to almost every ride getting to know each other on first name basis. Byron Wolfe, deceased, asked me personally to perpetuate this event for the horse lovers of Oklahoma. Many of us remember him well and know it was his will to provide this event for all to come and enjoy nature and fellowship. We appreciate the Wolfe Family’s permission to use of land along with our other land donors, who without their access, this ride would not be..

Feel free to call our toll free number 1-877-782-2395 to have your questions answered or to pre register. We ask for pre registration , only to give us a estimate to meals needed. My direct email is wmhpress@pldi.net also for your convenience. We encourage pictures. Send us your best and we may use them! On behalf of the patients and staff of Watonga Hospital, the and for the continued success of this trail ride, we thank you for your participation.

Jeff Fritz, Coordinator

Roman Nose Hills Trail Ride