ALL OF THIS INFO WILL BE UPDATED FOR OUR 2026 EVENTS SOON! Check back later
2024 Registration opened April 15th – Limit 200 riders
The Pen Reservation Form was sent out to all pre-registered riders on July 1st, all pens are booked other than a few random stalls in-between reservations, we have a waiting list.
Health Certificates: Address – County Road 363, La Veta, CO 81055
*PRINT YOUR RIDER PACKET before you arrive. It will be emailed to you earlier in August. You will need your assigned rider #, the daily loop schedule and maps in there, we are not printing them for you this year.
Click here to download & print 2024 Rider Info
The above link includes the 2024 Schedule, with your daily loop colors, maps of each loop, crewing directions, loop elevation profiles, the additional Wahatoya Cup flyer, and the additional Zebra loop map that only applies to those riding on “Day 6” the Wahatoya Cup 30/50/75/100. (Typo on the Tiger Loop map, that is a 20 mile trail, not 15.)
Sign your liability waiver HERE
Registration: Click the above “Sign Up” link to REGISTER PRIOR TO AUGUST 10th (to avoid a late fee.) If you need to cancel, please let us know, so we can remove you from our entry list.
Spanish Peaks Pioneer is a LIMITED ENTRY EVENT, we will cap our entries at 200. Last year we had 240 riders register, and we found our ride camp’s max capacity. The Wahatoya Cup is NOT limited, sign up! UPDATE: There is still room on the last 2 days of the Pioneer and for the Wahatoya Cup.
How do we know who’s riding what? When you arrive at camp, you’ll just submit one yellow RIDE CARD per rider DAILY in the red submission box at the registration barn. EXAMPLE BELOW. You are not entered in a ride unless you have submitted a (legible) ride card. Submit your card the afternoon before the ride that you would like to enter, probably right before you vet in. You may alternatively text a picture of your ride card to 719-989-8409 for a “zero contact” experience, or after hours. Don’t worry, it will make sense when you get there and see the daily sign-up system. Riders like it, and so does management.
Ride meetings have been replaced with informational flyers. These will be emailed to all who sign up so that you can PRINT THEM and or screenshot/save them to your phone. This will include maps and daily ride loop information. I highly recommend printing them, we will not be printing them for you this year. A copy will be posted for public viewing (or picture taking) in the pavilion.
MAPS– Why do we no provide GPS tracks? Because this has led to trespassing issues on the private land that these trails cross. If you use a tracking app, make sure not to share the trail with the public. Maps will be provided in the flyer that will be emailed to you prior to the ride, the trails will be well-marked, and the loops are color coded.
There are Q&A/comment cards at the registration barn, for any questions you may have, submit them as you would submit a ride card (either in the red box or via text, and your questions will be answered expeditiously by one of the SoCo team members.) Please read your flyer before asking questions.
Awards & Dinner will be at ~6pm after each ride. You may come get your dinner anytime after 3PM, come eat early to avoid a line! Wahatoya Cup 75/100 will do awards at the ~10AM Sunday Brunch. ALL 100mi BC judging will be performed upon completion.
Start times: SPP: All 50s – 7am, all LDs – 7:30am. WC: 75 and 100 milers start together at 5am, 50s – 4pm, LDs – 6pm. Start times are subject to change due to inclimate weather. All riders must check in 15 min before your start time with the timekeeper, failure to do so may result in disqualification.
Vet Checks: Most vet checks are IN camp. There will be an out vet check on Day 2 (Spanish Peaks) and Day 6 (Wahatoya.)
Click here for 2024 TRAIL MAPS
(The above link ONLY includes loop maps, no other info, see link at top of page for full rider packet)
Entry Fees: These entry fees INCLUDE your pre-ride DINNER. $135 for an LD/50/55, $75 for the fun/intro ride, $200 for the 75/75 elevator, $300 for the 100 mile “Wahatoya Cup” (or if you end up elevating to the 100.) We are offering discounts for riders entering multiple days as follows: 3 days = $20 off your total, 4 days = $30 off, 5 days = $40 off, 6 days = $50 off total. These discounts are PER RIDER TOTAL, not per couple/family/day. Prices are the same for Juniors, but there will be special awards for them. You DO NOT pre-pay. Please confirm your total amount due at the Registration barn before departing camp, and pay with cash, check or PayPal by clicking here.
Just want to come ride and camp? That’s fine but you will need to sign up (and pay) as a fun/intro rider daily. This is 100% private land, not a park, these are NOT PUBLIC TRAILS. They are open only to registered & insured riders, on sanctioned & insured ride days. All equestrians must be registered, even if just for a fun ride. If you are not entered in a ride, and you are caught riding, you will be forced to leave, and black listed. I shouldn’t need to say that, but certain individuals have forced my hand.
Ferrier: PRE BOOK your appointment with Chad Turentine (254)292-2957. If you do not pre-book an appointment then he will be available in ride camp on a first-come-first-serve basis. Chad must be paid directly.
Hay: We will have a mountain mix available for purchase at camp, we will bring a small load up from dry storage at Tennessee’s place daily so it won’t get wet. When the trailer comes around, just wave us down and we’ll get you some hay, you can pay cash on the spot, or put it on your rider number “tab” at the registration barn to be paid before your departure.
NEW FOOD: catering will be provided by Paxtons PitPros
Your entry fees include your ride dinner the evening after your ride. All spouses, crew, spectators etc may easily buy a plate at dinner and be served alongside the riders. The caterer will have a list of ALL registered riders, simply tell them your rider number, if you rode that day – it’s on the house, if not – it goes on your tab. They will be serving breakfasts and lunches as well, all are welcome, pay cash or put it on your rider # tab. You will pay your food tab (associated with your rider #) directly at the food truck before you depart.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH items will be available for purchase at your convenience. The menu will evolve throughout the week. As mentioned above, dinner is INCLUDED for riders and available for purchase to all.
OUT VET CHECK FOOD: As always, “the moms” will have snack/lunch items (sandwich fixings, chips, candy, drinks… and salted jello shots!) available to riders during the OUT vet check. Debby Blouin and Neecee Lane provide this lunch for you, please thank them when you are out there!
Of course, we’ll have our traditional HOOTENANNY! However this year we’ve decided to do it at the beginning of the ride – while we still have energy – it’s a welcome party! A whole-pig roast right in camp with live music played by Floyd Bauler. Come check out the “spectacle” while enjoying a beverage and great music among friends, surrounded by panoramic mountain views. Along with the delicious, fall-off-the-bone pork, we’ll have plenty of sides and salad to accompany and complete this delicious feast, so pig out. The hootenanny is included for ALL TO ENJOY, courtesy of the landowners, who may join us all for the fun that night.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Merri Melde did an awesome job in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and she will be taking pictures again this year! View and purchase pictures on her Equestrian Vagabond page by clicking here.
Base Camp
EARLY ARRIVALS: Ride camp opens on TUESDAY (the first day of the ride is SATURDAY, this should give you plenty of time to rest up after your long journeys.) Safe travels!
Primitive camping- horse water will be provided at the tanks in camp. There are permanent “cowboy bathrooms” and a trash dumpster available to you. Contrary to rumors, we do not have a well in camp, all water is hauled to the camp cistern in a truck!!! If you need additional water for your trailer, you may fill a small container from our hose to transfer to your trailers. PLEASE CONSERVE WATER.
Please spread your manure and fill in any holes your horse digs. We have a safe, large community turnout, please be respectful of each other’s time and share it in 15 minute intervals. No overnighting of horses in the community turnout pen. This is just a great place to allow your horse to stretch out “off leash” or roll.
We built very nice 20’x10′ single-horse, steel-pipe corrals at camp, these single horse pens cost $15/horse/night and will be available to reserve this year. I will send out a reservation form to all pre-entered riders on July 1st, reservations require a non-refundable payment. Yes, you can park right next to your corral. Amy Goodwin is in charge of camp stabling, please be sure to check in with her if you have reserved a pen. The portable panel pens set up on the West end of camp, are reserved for vets and volunteer’s horses. You must be registered to ride before you can reserve a pen, the link was at the top of this page.
Dogs are welcome in camp. We believe in freedom as much as we believe in responsibility – keep an eye on your dog(s) and let them live a little. Any aggressive dogs should be left at home, or kept on a very short leash. NO EXTRA LONG leashes on dogs, it’s too dangerous around horse traffic. Any dogs that bark incessantly, instigate fights, or get in to our food, will be given a large bowl of very spicy chili followed by 2 snickers bars. NO DOGS ALLOWED IN CATERING AREA.
The Wahatoya Cup
Distances offered: 100, 75, 75-elevator, 50, and 25. This single day event follows immediately after the Spanish Peaks Pioneer. The trails will all be nicely broken in by the traffic from the pioneer – as I had hoped, this factor GREATLY decreased our average completion times last year, along with the course changes. (We replaced the 30 most difficult miles, with what are now the 30 easiest miles.) This beautiful, challenging, and mountainous 75/100… can now be completed with very reasonable finishing times. There are 2 out checks, the rest are in. The 50 and LD start in the afternoon (1 out check!) This means you will finish in the dark, on trails that will already be marked with LEDs for the 100. It is important that you attend the ride meeting along with the 100s to learn what the LEDs will look like, and what they mean. It is better to learn about this in the daylight than it is to try and figure it out while horseback in the dark.
Anyone arriving for the Wahatoya Cup is extremely welcome to arrive early, enjoy the Spanish Peaks ride, maybe even warm your 100 mile horse up with an LD / Intro ride, and join us for the Hootenanny. Vet In will start at 11 on Friday, and the ride meeting will be at 4pm, so that we can all retire early and get some rest. To start, you must be vetted in by 4pm. Best Condition Judging will take place after your completion, and the Mimosa Awards Ceremony (buckles, Wahatoya Cup, and Kevin Myers Memorial Cup presentations) will start at 10am Sunday.
CREW DIRECTIONS 2023
Click here for ALBRIGHT map pin. There is an OUT VET CHECK on the PINK loop, it is at the dead end of County Road 361 on private land owned by the Albright family. From ride camp take CR363 back down to CR360 like you are heading back to town (but don’t go all the way to town.) Just before the town lakes, you will take a left on CR 361, and stay on that all the way up to the base of the west peak, where the road dead-ends at the vet check.
Click here for the WILDCAT map pin. (Wahatoya Cup only) There is an OUT VET CHECK on the ZEBRA loop aka the “lit loop” because it will be “lit” with white LEDs. This is the last loop for the 100s, 75s, 50s, and LDs. (Crewing is NOT allowed here the MORNING of the 100, only the evening.) The vet check is in the middle (halfway) of the Zebra loop. From ride camp take CR363 back down to CR360 like you are heading back to town (but don’t go all the way to town.) You will turn right (east) at the T with CR362. At the dead end of County Road 362, there is a power substation, take a left and go over the cattleguard, follow that driveway around in to WildCat Canyon, to Luke & Tennessee Blouin’s home.
For EMERGENCY info click here.
The Weather / Temps
Click here to see what the La Veta Traffic Cam has to show you about the weather right NOW.
Colorado is known for packing 4 seasons in to a day so be prepared for anything. BUT, generally speaking, the weather is great and fairly predictable in August. A breeze and mid-afternoon sprinkles are common.
A note from Tennessee – Wondering what to wear? LAYERS. I’ll spend most of my time in a T-shirt and jeans, and a HAT and sunglasses. BUT, my mornings start off bundled up in a sweatshirt, sometimes even a jacket too, I’ll shed layers throughout the day, some days I want to strip down to shorts, but by sunset I’ll be layering back up. Pack PLENTY of layers, you’ll be happy you have them. Get yourself a light weight rain jacket that will fit over all those layers, but will still crumple down in to a pocket on your saddle – and never leave home without it… even if it’s a clear blue sky. It’s high altitude here, you are literally closer to the sun and will burn more easily then at lower elevations, so wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and carry chapstick like your life depends on it.
The Trail
Very generally, our Intro rides are single loops ranging from 5 to 15 miles. Our LD/25s are 2 loops, (the first is longer and the 2nd is shorter,) with a single vet check in between. The 50s are 3 loops with 2 vet checks separating each, we try to do a big 1st loop, medium 2nd loop, and small 3rd loop.
This is a true representation of the Southern Colorado Rockies and I don’t intend to butter that up for you. If you are worried about it being too challenging or technical, then ride the LD, I will make sure the LD is geared back so that inexperienced riders and horses can enjoy a less challenging but equally beautiful ride. The awesome geology around here makes for diverse terrain, with lots of climbs and descents as well as a few flat easy miles to cruise on. There will be some brief technical stretches to keep you entertained, so dismount if you are nervous. As for the longer distances (50+ miles) yes, this will be a challenging ride interspersed with technical stretches that will slow you down, so be smart with your pacing, make up time on the easy stuff and take your time in the tough stuff. I have designed the loops to mix it up, nice easy fast stretches interspersed with slow challenging climbs, descents, and fun technical stuff to keep you awake, and give you something to write home about.
The scenery is truly unbeatable, the ride camp setting is gorgeous, and as I said, the trails are diverse, with footing varying from flat, canterable-sandy-loam, to steep, walk-it-rocky. The land we are riding across is cattle country – there will be gates. I do my best to minimize the number of gates, and improve the functionality of the ones we must keep closed. There is ample water on the trail, mostly cow tanks but also natural streams and ponds. Altitude: Camp is at >8000′ and the ride will range from 7000′ to a little over 9000′. Please feel free to give us constructive comments, advice, and recommendations, we’re doing our best for you!
Local Amenities
La Veta has fuel stations, a grocery store with an ice cream shop, a well-stocked Big-R, an Inn, several B&Bs, a propane supplier, and a mechanic… not to mention an awesome coffee shop, several little restaurants, a salon, multiple art studios, a library, a gym, yoga etc… The town is quaint but has just about everything you could need.
Private Land
Please be respectful of the private land owners who have gracefully allowed this ride to take place. 100% (one hundred, as in ALL) of this ride is on PRIVATE LAND; the base camp and all of the trails are on private land and are only open to insured SoCo Endurance entrants during SoCo Endurance Events. The many landowning families who live off of this land, and who have granted SoCo permission to host these events, are being more than generous – anyone who does anything to upset them may be pulled without refund, fined for any damages incurred, and denied entry in future events. The success and continuation of this ride requires that we be respectful of their land, livestock, and rules. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, for absolutely any reason.
Volunteers
THANK YOU!!! Your meal is on the house, just report for duty at the pre-ride meeting (6pm the day before the race) so that we can designate a certain task to you, alternatively just show up during the ride (7am-7pm) and fall in line where help is obviously needed…usually need more people taking pulses (ask for a HRM or stethascope or bring your own if you have one,) or scribing for a vet, or helping fill water tanks, or making sure riders are hydrated by handing off water bottles, or just holding a horse while he snacks so the rider can sneak away for a second etc. Always tons to do! Thanks so much for your help!
What is SoCo Endurance’s 2021 COVID Plan?
It’s short and sweet.
If you are genuinely worried about getting sick, then you should absolutely stay home.
Your health is 100% your own responsibility, as are the risks you take (socializing, traveling, exposing yourself to different environments, and riding.) If you disagree with this statement, then stay home.
Please respect each other’s space, and socialize at a level that you feel safe.
You have the right to wear a mask or socially distance at all times, but it is NOT required.
We encourage all to pre-register, this will greatly minimize contact and help management with a head count. Our registration process can be virtually contactless if you do pre-register. Daily ride cards (Duck Cards) can be submitted in person or digitally (take a picture of your ride card and text it to us) and payment can be performed via PayPal, for those who prefer a zero-contact experience. To reduce risk, we have made some changes that will minimize gatherings and contact, you’ll see, just pick up your rider packet when you arrive and READ WHAT’S INSIDE.
SoCo Endurance 