2026 Marks the 50th Year of XP Rides.

We hope you can join us during our Golden Anniversary Year.

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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Our Next Ride

COLORADO FALL COLOR XP

Mancos, Colorado

September 25-26-27, 2026

An AERC 50 & 25 or 30 each day. XP Club rides of all distances. XP Club events are perfect for new and old riders alike. Distances subject to last minute adjustments for weather.

Basic Ride Info: A General Description of this ride is a no frills, low budget, relaxed training ride that will offer riders an opportunity to camp out with friends and ride around the one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the world. The camp is in a beautiful meadow, a short way off of a paved road. Basic necessities are available eight miles away in Mancos. The trails consist of single track mountain trails and 48 inch OHV trails mixed with some Forest Service roads. There is abundant natural water on the trail. The ride takes place during the fall color season when the aspen trees are turning yellow and gold. The pictures replace a thousand words. This is a time of year when the weather can change quickly in the mountains so be prepared with layered clothing. Fifty years ago we all rode with a slicker tied onto the back of our saddles as afternoon showers were the rule instead of the exception. I have no idea why modern riders have abandoned that practice. The footing varies from soft dirt to rocky so hoof protection is recommended. Annie is no longer doing dinners but she continues to offer free lunches to riders and crews.

Ride Rules are generally the same as AERC rules as interpreted by the ride manager and her advisors. However, be aware this ride has completion requirements that differ from AERC in that the control judges can and will pull horses that do not recover to their satisfaction. The ride is conducted by the XP Riders and will offer less strenuous distances and less formalities for those wanting to just have fun. The AERC intro rides are included in the XP Club rides. We try to tailor the intro/club rides to the wants and needs of the individual riders. The rules are simple and our focus is on having a good time and not getting our equine friends in trouble.

Certified weed free hay is required on all public lands. This has been the rule for many years so it surprises us that so many people are surprised by it being required. Almost all farm stores have baled weed free hay available. There are two farm stores in Cortez, Intermountain Farmers on Hwy 491 heading north out of town is just past the Maverick station that has the cheapest gas in the county. The Big R store is on the east side of town on Hwy 160 (Main Street). There is another Maverick station on Hwy 160 as you are leaving town heading east.

Directions: Base camp is located north of Mancos, CO. Mancos is on Hwy 160 located between Durango and Cortez. From Hwy 160 in Mancos, turn north at the only stoplight in town onto Hwy 184. Follow 184 north for approximately one-half mile, then turn right onto the paved road toward Jackson Lake. Continue 7.6 miles to the campground in the meadow on your left. The turn off to the camp is just past the third cattle guard, which is the one with the loading chute for the cattle corrals on the left.

Location for Health Certificates: Forest Road 561 at Doc Lowell Flat, Mancos, Colorado.

GPS Coordinates: 37.44408, -108.23305

We appreciate the online pre-entries as it helps us plan and reduces the last minute bookkeeping, but we welcome last minute entries on site as well.

AERC riders who are non members add $20.00 per day for their “day member fee”.

Cell and internet service is available at the ride site.

Ann Nicholson, 907-821-1819

Dave Nicholson, 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150

Enter this ride.

Phone 907 209 8881 or 970 880 0150 or e-mail duck@xprides.com

Entry Fees

The following is our basic fee structure for 2026:

LD and Endurance Distances are $135.00 / PayPal $140.50

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 $10.00 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 48 hours 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.

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

Enter this ride.