Please read this before moving on: The XP website is maintained by an old man with a fading memory and is subject to many errors. We post any current updates of importance at the top of the Home Page of the website. Below this message is the ride calendar. The home page has been updated and ride dates are current and should conform to the AERC calendar. Below the calendar, we post “Our Next Ride”. If the time of that ride has past, you may assume we are still busy finishing up the clean up and paperwork from that ride. We will get around to updating the information for the upcoming rides as soon as possible. If you find a conflict of information about the XP Rides, whether it be the correct date or something else please contact David or Ann Nicholson before putting anything on social media. We try to correct errors as soon as possible.
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2026 XPCalendar
| Picket Post XP | Jan 2-3-4, 2026 |
| Eastern Mojave XP | Feb 6-7-8, 2026 |
| Laurel Mountain XP | Mar 13-14-15, 2026 |
| Cuyama Oaks XP | Mar 27-28-29, 2026 |
| Caballo Sin Nombre XP | April 17-18-19, 2026 |
| Mt Carmel XP | May 7-8-9-10, 2026 |
| Chicken Creek XP | Jun 13-14-15, 2026 |
| Strawberry Fields XP | Jun 26-27-28, 2026 |
| Grand Canyon XP | Sep 3-4-5-6, 2026 |
| Colorado Fall Color XP | Sep 26-27-28, 2025Sep 25-26-27, 2026 |
| Sesenta Años | Nov 7-8-9, 2025 Nov 6-7-8, 2026 |
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EQUINE HEALTH CONCERNS
12/11/2025. We are aware of the new cases of Vesicular Stomatitis in Arizona but we are still planning on having the ride at the scheduled time and place. More information will follow as the situation develops. We plan to have an Arizona Veterinarian at the ride to provide California riders with a proper CVI for a reasonable fee. Other states may or may not allow horses to return home within 30 days on the CVI they travelled to AZ on.
More information to follow as the situation changes and we get closer to the ride.
Our Next Ride
Picket Post XP
January 2-3-4, 2026
Note that we have added a third day to make it a Pioneer Ride.
Over half of the endurance trails are single track desert/forest trails including a long stretch of the Arizona Trail which is all single track and off limits to motorized vehicles.
The camp is located south of Superior Arizona on East Arnett Road. Superior is a small and quiet town located on US 60 in central Arizona about 40 miles east of Phoenix. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and massive mountains and bluffs. Superior experiences fair temperatures though out the fall, spring, and summer. This makes it perfect for those interested in hiking and equestrian activities. Superior was founded around the discovery of large copper mines that closed down in the 1980’s. The Magma mine reopened in the 90’s and a copper dome was found 7,000 feet underground that is projected to be the largest copper vein in the United States, fourth-largest undeveloped copper deposit in the world. The town is also a gateway city for the famous Arizona Trail.
Picketpost Mountain is an eroded volcanic vent topped with a lava flow that is approximately 18 million years old. There was a military post that became the town of Superior and the military gave the mountain its name as it was an ideal observation point to protect the military camp. The Superstition Mountains are visible to the north, and Weavers Needle is the spire to the west. We may be too early to see the many varieties of wildflowers in the spring as well as cactus blossoms but that all depends on Mother Nature. In a particularly good year yellow brittlebush and orange poppies cover the hillsides.
The AZT is a great single track trail that traverses the entire state from south to north and is generally good footing for horses through this area. However this is not a trail that is easy to make time on. Therefore we have designed the course to alternate the single track with Forest Service road where it is easier to pass and make up time. We definitely recommend some form of hoof protection. This beautiful area is definitely more suited to riding vs racing.
We will send .gpx files and pre-ride information when more details are worked out closer to the ride. These are usually sent two to four days before checkin as we often have to change that information because of rerouting the trails due to circumstances beyond our control.
We are planning both endurance and LD distances plus the XP Club rides/intro rides.
Directions: Take US Hwy 60 to the junction Panther Road in Superior, AZ. Panther Road is called Mary Rd on some maps. Go south on Panther Road to the Fire Station and High School. Turn right on Golf Club Road that is between the Fire Station and High School. This is also known on some maps and navigation programs as Arnett Canyon Road and Telegraph Canyon Road. Continue on the road over the cattle guard to the end of the pavement. The pavement ends at the Three Canyon Trailhead. The parking at the trailhead is day use only, however there is a large open parking area adjacent to the trailhead that can be used for day riders and huge trailers. The ride headquarters is less than a quarter mile down the dirt road. There is enough parking for everyone at that location but you must conserve space. The riders arriving early MUST go to the back of the camp and not block off the back camping spaces. There are dispersed camping areas all along Arnett Canyon Road. Park and camp in disturbed areas only. Take whatever you packed in back out when you leave. Leave your campsite like you would like someone to leave your front yard after camping there.
Health Certificates are required for horses coming from out of state. Use Three Canyon Trailhead, Superior Arizona 85173 as the destination. In 2026 there may be last minute requirements for health certificates and horse safety in camp.
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ENTRY FEES and REFUNDS
Entry Fees for all XP events except Sesenta Anos and Cuyama.
The following is our basic fee structure for 2026:
LD and Endurance Distances are $135.00 / PayPal $140.50 Except Sesenta Anos and Cuyama
Juniors, Intro riders and XP club riders are $100 / PayPal $104.00
Riders who are not current members of AERC riding an AERC LD or Endurance ride pay an additional $20.00 non-member fee per day. $155.00 / PayPal $161.20
Riders who enter within 4 days of a ride add $15.00 post entry fee
REFUND POLICY
Cancellation Refunds: Ride entry withdrawal requests received via email on/before 1800 on the 7th day prior to the first day of the ride will receive a full refund. There will be an administrative fee for refunds during the week prior to the ride. No refund for withdrawals within 72 hours of the start of the ride or for no shows.
AERC has raised their non member fee to $20.00 per day. AERC non members are charged a day member fee of $20.00 to participate in the AERC sanctioned ride. This does not apply to the intro/fun/xp club rides. If we do not have your AERC number and/or your dues are unpaid we will move you to the XP club ride unless you have paid the non member fee.
Mail your checks to Ann Nicholson at 19898 Road V, Lewis, CO 81327 or you can use PayPal and send to entry@xprides.com. When you make the payment let us know by return email that you are coming and which days you are planning on riding.
HEALTH CERTIFICATES
All states where we hold rides generally require a CVI (health certificate) for equines crossing state lines. There may be an exception between some states that border each other, like CA and OR and you should either check with your veterinarian or look up that information online.
Weed free certified hay is required on all public lands in the United States. Weed free pellets are usually available at feed stores in the area.
AWARDS
Individual awards are available for the fastest time and best condition each day. An overall award will be given to the horse and rider finishing in the fastest time for all three or four days. An overall best condition award for the horse that completes all three or four days in the best condition will also be awarded. Completion awards will be given to all successful horse and rider teams.
Phone 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150 for Dave
email duck@xprides.com
Phone 907 821 1819 for Annie e-mail annie@xprides.com
If you find something confusing or in error in this message please contact me personally and I will clear it up.
For more information contact Ride Manager:
Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819
Dave Nicholson, 970 880 0150
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Potpourri
This is the basic catch all for the XP website. Here you will find past articles as well as some personal pages, some of which are password protected. Take me to the pages
