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 Aspiring cowboys -- and cowgirls -- flock to the Arizona Cowboy College outside Scottsdale for classes on horseback riding in the surrounding desert. -- Photos courtesy Arizona Cowboy College |
OK, I've got a confession to make: I cover the rodeo and chuckwagon beats for the Calgary Sun, but I'm not exactly a cowboy. In fact, friends and family members openly mocked me when I was assigned the beats five years ago.
Horses, quite frankly, frighten me.
I've only been on a horse once -- at a friend's ranch -- and that didn't go so well.
I trust only one horse on this earth, chuckwagon driver Chad Harden's wheeler named Meaver, who is more puppy dog than thoroughbred.
So I approached this recent travel assignment -- 'Cowboy Skills, Scottsdale Frills' -- with more than a little trepidation.
The first part of the media tour took place at Arizona Cowboy College, a family owned business run by Lori Bridwell, on the outskirts of Scottsdale.
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It is, as instructor Rocco Wachman explained, bootcamp for cowboy beginners.
After a sweltering night's sleep in the bunk house, our day began with a big western breakfast at 6 a.m. (an ungodly hour for sports writers) and moved out to the riding arena shortly after.
Rocco takes groups through a crash course on how to properly catch, handle, groom and saddle a horse.
If you've ever seen the weekly CMT program Cowboy U, where Rocco puts a group of city slickers through the paces, you know he's a straight shooter.
He doesn't sugar coat anything -- being around horses is dangerous business.
"The only two things I can guarantee," he said, "is that I'm going to have more fun than you and that horses are unpredictable."
After all the scare tactics registered loud and clear, it was off to the outdoor arena for a class on basic riding skills.
HE WAS IN CHARGE
My horse, Stormy, is extremely well trained. It took him about five seconds to realize he was in charge, and that was fine by me. He knows what he's doing.
After lunch, we headed off into the desert for a ride where Stormy enjoyed walking under low-hanging, thorny trees.
Back at the ranch, Rocco taught the saddle-sore pen pushers how to rope (on foot).
On Day 2, we trotted back out to the desert to round up some free grazing cattle before heading back to the ranch to receive our diplomas at the graduation ceremony.
Cowboy College is usually a week-long event but our studies lasted just two days.
The second half of the tour -- the part many of our group's female members had been longing for -- was still ahead.
We were shuttled back to civilization and taken to The Phoenician, a massive luxury resort that has to be seen to be believed.
Their "rooms" are bigger than most condominiums and include a study, dining room and two bathrooms.
Before departing for Arizona, the journalists were asked for their preference of spa treatments.
Diploma or no diploma, I know I'm no John Wayne. But I'm no Frasier Crane either. I offered to pass on the spa.
But The Phoenician's Debora Bridges is very convincing -- though, after two days on a saddle, it didn't take much: "We'll go with the (cough) Swedish massage and a (ahem) gentleman's facial."
Well, both proved to be extremely relaxing.
Dinner is held at the elegant, four-diamond rated Terrace dining room, which serves modern Italian cuisine. And this is the casual restaurant.
The following night, after a dip in one of the resort's nine pools, we dined at the five-star Mary Elaine's.
Seated at the Chef's Table, chef de cuisine Bradford Thompson took us through each of the dishes he had created, while sommelier Thomas Ratcliff described each accompanying wine.
Completely stuffed, relaxed and exfoliated, we retired to our spacious rooms for another night of restful sleep before heading home in the morning.
All in all, the trip turned out to be a blast.
Would I ride another horse?
Sure. As soon as I can walk.
Maybe I need another massage.
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BOTTOM LINE
MORE INFO: Visit cowboycollege.com or thephoenician.com.