Fort Howes Hosts AERC Young Rider Championship Concurrent with AERC National Championship June 11-15

Also happening is the Ride and Tie and Equitation and AHA Region 6 Championship

What a better way to celebrate 24 (25) years of AERC Endurance Rides at the Circle Bar Ranch and the adjoining Custer-Gallatin National Forest than to host the AERC National Championship!

Homesteaded in 1883 by Captain Calvin Howes (a former sea Captain from Massachusetts), the Circle Bar Ranch is the home of the Fort Howes Endurance Rides - See Ranch History Link. As noted, starting in 1997, the Fort Howes rides have grown from a one-day ride offering a 25-mile Limited Distance ride and a 50-mile Endurance Ride to hosting the 2021 AERC National Championship.

We'll start the ball rolling with the AERC 50 Mile Championship on the 11th. On the 12th we'll have an open ride day with two Limited Distance rides - one starting at 7:00am and the next starting at 3:00pm. In addition to the two LD rides we'll have a 50-mile ride. Finishing out the weekend on the 13th we'll have the AERC 100-mile Championship. But wait, in order to keep the ball rolling and the party going, we are extremely excited to offer the AERC Young Rider Championship on Tuesday the 15th. The AERC Young Rider Championship will be a 75-mile ride with a Team aspect thrown in for good measure!

Trails consist of Open Meadows, Cow Trails, and unimproved Jeep Trails. Riders can expect to have at least one 1000' elevation change in each loop they ride out on. Water is available out on trail every 3-5 miles. Although most Vet Checks will be in basecamp, we will have out checks for the 100-mile ride and the AERC Young Rider Championship 75-mile ride and we'll make arrangements to haul your crewing supplies out, if necessary.

Basecamp is a huge open field of more than 15 acres with lots of room and plenty of horse water available.

We will again be offering our Rancher's dinner on one of the nights - probably Thursday - including steak and all the trimmings. We're also anticipating that the local Amish ladies will have freshly made donuts and other baked goods available during the ride. We are working with a couple of the local food trucks to have food for purchase available for the weekend as well.

Temperatures in the early part of June range in the 40's overnight and up into the 80's during the days. Though one should always plan for anything - this is Montana after all and we subscribe to the saying "Don't like the weather, wait five minutes, it will change".

Please be sure you read the "Important Travel Information" page as it has information for people entering the state of Montana with horses.

We’re looking forward to once again opening our little piece of Heaven to our endurance community with the offer of "come early, stay late", but don’t be surprised if you get "put to work" while you’re here!

Bill, Jan, Heather, John, Tyler, Cody, Kaylee, Jennifer, Chet, Milo, and Megan.

For more information, including entries and schedule of events, see: https://www.forthowes.net/