Equestrian activities in the Palm Springs Valley are plentiful, so if you happen to be a horse person, rest assured there is no lack of exciting things to experience here in the desert. Whether it’s watching world class horse events held in the east valley – Indio, Coachella, Thermal area… or trail riding in the Palm Springs, High Desert area, your options are many.
SADDLE UP FOR A TRAIL RIDE
Trail riding is such a wonderful way to get intimate with the desert landscape. It’s meditative. You’re surrounded by nature as you wind your way on horseback through the ruggedly beautiful canyons of the local mountains with the sun on your back. Palm Springs is fortunate to be home to historic Smoke Tree Stables, tucked away off of the busy thoroughfare of Highway 111. There you will find group packages available for trail riding adventures into nearby Indian Canyons, where the Cahuilla Indians used to roam and native palm oases and streams grace the landscape. Picnic lunches or western cookouts can be included, whatever your fancy.
You can also hightail it up to the High Desert area of Morongo Valley for trail riding… it’s just a short 20 minute drive up Hwy. 62 from Palm Springs. The High Desert offers it’s own brand of magic, as it’s typically at least 10 degrees cooler up there (which is nice in the summer) and the scenic views of snow-capped Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio absolutely take your breath away. You’ll think you’re in the Swiss Alps.
Coyote Ridge Stables is tucked away in Morongo Valley and offers a variety of trail ride types for you to choose from. Try out a Full Moon jaunt for a desert night time adventure… or an Adventure Trek where you actually blaze your own trail through the canyons and washes. At CottonWood Canyon Ranch, their private trails allow you freedom to trot or gallop as you like, all the while taking in scenic vistas filled with enigmatic Joshua Trees, indigenous to the landscape at that altitude. You won’t find anything like it in the Palm Springs Valley below.
EAST VALLEY EQUESTRIAN VENUES OFFER POLO AND JUMPING
Located on the east end of the Palm Springs Valley around Indio, Coachella and Thermal are several of the finest Equestrian facilities in the country. People come from all over the world to participate in and observe the yearly events offered here. If Polo is your thing, then you’re in luck. From January to March each year, the Empire Polo Club and Eldorado Polo Club, located adjacent to one another in Indio, showcase some of the finest athletes in the sport. Every Sunday and on select Fridays, you can bring a picnic, a bottle of your favorite wine and make an afternoon or evening of watching this exhilarating sport which has gained a huge following over the years.
And every spring from late January through mid-March, thousands of Equestrians are drawn to the HITS Desert Circuit Horse Show in Thermal, the premier Southern California show grounds for Hunters and Jumpers – with total prizes of close to $3 million.
PALM SPRINGS VALLEY EQUESTRIAN REAL ESTATE
As you can imagine, with so much going on in the Equestrian world here in the Palm Springs Valley – ranches, farmland and horse properties are more and more in demand. If you are thinking about buying or selling Equestrian Property, it is wise to choose a real estate agent who is familiar with these types of specialty properties. In the long run… and the short term too, you’ll save yourself time and money dealing with someone who knows their business and provides specialized service.