Two summers ago, I was casually browsing Zillow listings in Larkspur - mainly because I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Colorado and one of my favorite places to ride.
I had looked in the area for years, just out of curiosity. Then in July of 2022, Perry Park Ranch popped up in my search. Something just felt different about this particular listing. I looked again and again. And then again.
I sent a text to Bridget, my horse trainer of many years, to see if she would have any interest in being Perry Park Ranch’s manager and trainer. Her response was, “Well, it’s gorgeous,” followed by an immediate “Yes.” (I recently found this text message and printed it out to frame and hang in the barn office. The beginning!)
Photography By Andrea Webb Photography
My husband and I decided to go and look at the property and took Bridget and her husband with us. When we saw the ranch, we all felt how special it was despite the work that needed to be done to meet our standard of care for our horses. While probably not a typical request, Bridget and I asked our real estate agent if we could trailer our horses in to ride the mountain trails behind the ranch and explore what we would have access to as the potential new owners.
A few days later, Bridget and I were on one of my favorite rides ever. We hopped on two of my Tennessee Walking Horses, Westley and Picasso, and we rode and rode and then rode some more. We explored the beautiful forest, discovered the incredible views from up above the ranch, and found what would soon become our favorite creek in which to let the horses cool off and get a drink. Before we even made it down the mountain, we called my husband to tell him to get an offer in FAST! We couldn’t lose out on this wonderland we had discovered.
We moved horses onto the property less than two months later. We had a lot of work to do to get it up and running, but we were so happy to be the newest residents of Perry Park Ranch. The 1800s ranch and very old barn, rich in history, deserved our careful attention and repair. We started cleaning buildings out, constructing new pens and adding automatic waterers, and building out our tack room with saddle racks and bridle hooks.
We felt like we were home. The phone calls and emails started coming in asking for lessons and training and boarding. A new era at the Ranch had begun.
Fast forward to today – our second full summer at Perry Park Ranch. We have made so many improvements to the property and barn that have breathed life back into this very special place. We have a herd of horses that belong to me, Bridget, and our boarders–trail horses and field trial horses, gaited and walk/trot horses, geldings, mares, babies (and more on the way!), and our stallion.
We also have a community of the most amazing people that I am lucky to spend my days with. The barn is usually filled with chatter, laughter, silly horse antics, and stories of the latest rides in the arena, the Big D (a large pasture that abuts the ranch), and up the mountain. I love these days. I also love the days when it is quiet, and I can take a moment to breathe in the mountain air, watch the horses, appreciate the breathtaking views, and thank my lucky stars that I found this little piece of heaven. Thank you to everyone that makes this place so incredibly special.