Scottsdale Saddle Club

We started in 1974 with the mission to conserve trail heads and equestrian arenas around Arizona as the population started booming and the open land began to fill with homes. Sponsored by the City of Scottsdale, a group worked diligently to raise funds and gather materials to construct Scottsdale’s first horse park and arena on ground that had previously been set aside for a police shooting range.

Progress and civilization eventually caught up with us and now 50 years later, we are still focused on providing equine related activities in support of equine enthusiasts. Scottsdale Saddle Club is proud to be known as a place for family fun and education for the horse and rider.

About Us

Mission

The Scottsdale Saddle Club is an organization of families and individuals desiring to promote horse-related activities for both its members and the community through service, recreational, social and educational activities SSC strives to provide an environment for equestrian enthusiasts and families to enjoy the outdoors as well as quality equestrian events such as horse shows, gymkhanas, trail rides, and social events (for those who do not ride).

Vision

To emphasize fun, safe responsible horse ownership and family focus for the beginner to the advanced rider. The club focuses on educational activities that benefit our club members and the equestrian community in general.

Goals

The club hopes to see year over year improvement with more people getting involved and volunteering to help with all activities planned by Scottsdale Saddle Club.

This includes seeing continual growth within the following:

Gymkhanas literally means “Games on Horseback.” Horse and riders compete individually and are timed to see how fast they can run through a set pattern of poles, barrels or other obstacles. The fastest time is the winner.

Horse Shows are a judged exhibition of but not limited to, horses and ponies shows, consist of a series of different performances, called classes, wherein a group of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against one another for awards.

Trail Rides are organized and Scottsdale Saddle Club members can enjoy riding outdoors on trails, bridle paths, and forest roads, but not on roads regularly used by motorized traffic. A trail ride can be of any length of time but typically Scottsdale Saddle Club trail rides are 2 to 3 hours and intended for all levels of riders.

Drill Team consists of a group of horses and riders performing choreographed maneuvers to music. Teams typically perform at rodeos, horse fairs, parades, benefits, and drill team competitions. Drill teams are intended to entertain, show sportsmanship, horsemanship, teamwork and dedication.

Equine Clinics: Scottsdale Saddle Club will bring equestrian professionals to events to present educational topics to the membership in supporting the equestrian community.

The goal is to emphasize fun, safe responsible horse ownership and family focus for the beginner to the advanced rider. The club also hopes to schedule educational activities that benefit our club members.